Black Smoke Signals Divided Cardinals' Struggle to Elect a New Pope
Plumes of black smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling the first failed attempt to elect a new pope during the conclave. The 133 cardinals, sealed inside, cast their votes, but the outcome was met with disappointment. The formal procession commenced with the cardinals swearing an oath of secrecy, and the first voting round started around 5:45 PM local time. As they deliberated, a seagull occasionally guarded the famed chimney, adding a peculiar touch to the environment of anticipation.
At approximately 9:05 PM, black smoke emerged from the chapel's chimney, prompting loud applause from the throngs of over 45,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, despite the expectation that a pope would not be elected on the first day. The conclave will continue on Thursday, remaining on course until a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month at the age of 88, is designated.
Among the crowd was Cinzia Caporali and her husband from Tuscany, who visited Rome to pay their respects at Pope Francis's tomb. She reflected on witnessing the election of Francis's predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, in 2005, which lasted under 36 hours, one of the swiftest in the past century. Caporali expressed hope for a continuation of Francis's legacy, emphasizing the importance of supporting marginalized individuals and shifting away from the church's ostentatious riches—an appeal she believes resonates with contemporary values.
During the pre-conclave mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re urged the cardinal-electors to prioritize love and responsibility in their decision-making process. He implored voters to seek divine guidance in electing a pope who would help navigate the complexities facing both the church and humanity in the current tumultuous period.
The task of selecting a suitable successor to Francis is formidable, especially considering the diverse perspectives among the cardinals. Some support the progressive reforms championed during Francis's 12-year papacy, while others seek to revert these changes. The general sentiment expressed prior to the conclave indicated a collective desire to wrap up the election swiftly, as prolonging the process could convey a perception of division within the Catholic church.
In the lead-up to the vote, the cardinals engaged in twice-daily meetings to discuss their visions regarding the church's future, tackling issues such as evangelization, the Vatican's finances, clerical sexual abuse, and service to the poor and migrants. Notably absent from their discussions, however, was the role of women in the church—a topic that Pope Francis had shown interest in promoting, albeit stopping short of advocating for women’s ordination.
In a show of peaceful protest, groups advocating for women’s ordination set off bursts of pink smoke on Gianicolo Hill before the conclave. The UK-based Catholic Women’s Ordination (CWO) group aimed to draw attention to their exclusion from decision-making processes, with spokesperson Miriam Duignan emphasizing the injustice faced by half of the global church population.
As the conclave continues, the smoke signals will play a crucial role in communicating the results of future votes. The hope remains among many that the new pope will embody the values of compassion, justice, and unity that are needed to guide the church through its current challenges.
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