Countdown to the Conclave: Cardinals Set Date for Papal Election
The Cardinals of the Catholic Church convened in Rome and have officially set the date for the conclave to elect a new Pope. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced that this significant assembly will commence on May 7, following an agreement by the Cardinals during their fifth General Congregation after the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
The conclave cannot begin until after a mandated nine-day mourning period as prescribed by church law, meaning that the earliest possible start date could have been May 5. According to regulations, the eligible Cardinals must gather in the Sistine Chapel within 20 days of the Pope's death to elect the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.
Currently, preparations are underway in the Sistine Chapel, which has been closed to visitors since Monday in anticipation of the conclave. A total of 135 Cardinals are eligible to participate in the election of the new pontiff.
As the period following the Pope's death progresses, Cardinals from around the globe are gathering in Rome. These influential figures hold the key to the future of the Church, as they will be responsible for selecting the next leader during this closed-door process. However, the most crucial negotiations and discussions will likely occur prior to the formal voting within the conclave.
The election requires a two-thirds majority to appoint a new Pope. The first voting session is scheduled for the first afternoon, followed by two sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon. Following each unsuccessful voting round, the ballots are burned, producing black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Conversely, if a new Pope is elected, chemicals will be added to the flames to create white smoke, signaling to the faithful around the world that a new leader has been chosen with the traditional Latin phrase, "Habemus Papam."
Speculation regarding potential candidates has been rampant in the days leading up to the conclave. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who has served as the cardinal secretary of state and is considered an unofficial confidant of the late Pope Francis, is regarded as a strong contender, often referred to as "papabile"—a term for those deemed suitable for Papal office. On Sunday, Cardinal Parolin celebrated the first mass in St. Peter's Square since Pope Francis's passing.
Notably, this conclave may be more unpredictable than others. Thanks to Pope Francis appointing a diverse array of new Cardinals from various corners of the world, many of whom are less familiar with one another, the upcoming election could unfold quite differently compared to previous conclaves where electoral processes were typically concluded within three days since the 1960s. As the days progress and anticipation builds, the world watches closely to see who will emerge as the Catholic Church's next leader.
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