VATICAN CITY (AP) — On Thursday, white smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, followed by the ringing of the massive bells at St. Peter’s Basilica, as the cardinals selected the 267th pope to head the Catholic Church on the second day of conclave.
their conclave
.
The
people gathered in St. Peter’s Square
The crowd erupted in cheers; priests made the sign of the cross, and nuns shed tears as they heard “Viva il papa!” yelled out when the white smoke rose into the evening sky shortly before 6:07 PM. With banners and flags from all corners of the globe waving, tens of thousands gathered, eagerly awaiting news about who would emerge victorious.
The smoke signal indicates that the victor received a minimum of 89 votes.
133 cardinals
taking part in the conclave to choose a replacement for Pope Francis.
As the assembly awaited, the Swiss Guards emerged, followed by a military ensemble that performed as they advanced up the stairs towards the basilica.
The name will be announced later, when a top cardinal utters the words “Habemus Papam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!” — from the loggia of the basilica. The cardinal then reads the winner’s birth name in Latin and reveals the name he has chosen to be called.
It is anticipated that the newly elected pontiff will make their initial public appearance and deliver a blessing from the same balcony.
Eyes on the chimney
On Thursday, numerous school groups became part of the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square, eagerly waiting for news. These students mixed with those taking part in scheduled Holy Year pilgrimages as well as reporters from across the globe who flocked to Rome to cover the papal election.
“The anticipation is wonderful!” remarked Priscilla Parlante, who hails from Rome.
Pedro Deget, aged 22, who studies finance in Argentina, mentioned that he and his family traveled to Rome with him being part of this group.
Argentine pope’s pontificate
and were looking forward to having a new pope in the likeness of Francis.
“Francis performed admirably in bringing the church closer to the external community, yet perhaps fell short in other areas. It remains to be seen whether his successor can achieve more,” remarked Deget from the plaza.
Rev. Jan Dominik Bogataj, a Slovenian Franciscan friar, expressed stronger reservations about Francis. If placed in the Sistine Chapel during the conclave, he would have cast his vote for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem—who is frequently mentioned as a potential pope.
He possesses distinct concepts rather than extensive ideological beliefs. He is an upfront, astute, and courteous individual,” stated Bogataj from the plaza. “Primarily, he is nimble-footed.
Several cardinals had expressed their belief that the conclave would be brief.
Throughout most of the last hundred years, the gathering required anywhere from three to 14 rounds of voting to select a new pope. In 1978, Pope John Paul I, whose papacy lasted only 33 days, was chosen on the fourth vote. Following him, John Paul II took eight votes before being selected. When Francis became pope in 2013, he was elected on the fifth round of balloting.
Conjecture on contenders
The cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual Wednesday afternoon, participating in a rite more theatrical than even Hollywood could create. Bright red cassocks, Swiss Guards standing at attention, ancient Latin chants and oaths preceded the slamming shut of the Sistine Chapel doors to seal the cardinals off from the outside world.
Pope Francis’s 70-year-old Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and
leading contender
To take his place as pope, he took over the leadership of the proceedings as the highest-ranking cardinal under 80 years old who was allowed to participate.
Parolin seemed to have received the blessings from none other than Re, the respected elder among the cardinals. During the traditional exchange of peace during the pre-conclave Mass on Wednesday, Re was caught on a hot mic telling Parolin “auguri doppio” or “double best wishes.” Italians debated whether it was just a customary gesture acknowledging Parolin’s role running conclave, or if it might have been an informal endorsement or even a premature congratulations.
The voting process
The voting adhered to a precise set of procedures, as mandated by church law.
Every cardinal pens their selection on a slip of paper emblazoned with the phrase “Eligo in summum pontificem” — “I choose as supreme pontiff.” They then make their way individually towards the altar, declaring: “As my witness, I invoke Christ the Lord, who shall be my judge, that I have cast my ballot for the individual whom, in the sight of God, I believe deserves to be chosen.”
The creased ballot is positioned on a circular disk and then tilted into an ornate silver and gold vessel. After being deposited, each vote is unfolded sequentially by three distinct ” scrutineers,” randomly chosen cardinals who record the names and announce them publicly.
The officials responsible for verifying the votes are monitored by other cardinals known as revisers. They subsequently tally the outcomes of each voting session and record these totals on an individual sheet of paper, which is kept secure within the papal archives.
As the scrutinizer calls out each name, they puncture every ballot with a pin through the word “Eligo.” The pierced ballots are subsequently threaded together and placed apart. They are later cremated in the chapel stove alongside an additive that creates the smoke.
___
Giada Zampano, Helena Alves, and Vanessa Gera were involved in contributing to this report.
___
The Associated Press receives support for its religious news coverage through the AP’s
collaboration
In collaboration with The Conversation US, supported by funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., the AP holds full responsibility for this content.
Nicole Winfield, The Canadian Press
