The conclave, a centuries-old tradition commenced with a public Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the cardinals prayed for divine guidance in their crucial task.
Following the Mass, the electors entered the Sistine Chapel to begin secret balloting.
Once a new Pope is elected, he will make his first public appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re addresses the significance of the moment, saying, “We are here to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit to implore His light and strength, so that the Pope elected may be the one whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.”
Father Hans Magdurulang, a parish priest from Asia, shares his hopes for the next Pope. “There is no other trait or quality that the next Pope must embody other than the life of Christ. May he truly radiate Christ, His mercy, compassion, and justice. That is the love, mercy, and justice of Christ for the whole world. Justice is not only for victims of war and crime, but also for the poor, for the environment, and for the little people.”
It is expected that the voting could last several days, as no Pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for many centuries. Black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney will signal inconclusive votes, while white smoke will announce the election of a new Pope.
No Pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries, and voting could continue for several days before the identity of the 267th pontiff is known.
One visitor to Rome expresses awe at being present during such a historic moment. “It’s amazing. I think it’s really amazing. We are very fortunate to be in Rome at this time, so yeah looking forward to it.”
Another visitor shared a sense of hope and faith in the process. “I have great hope because I think Pope Francis gave us an incredible legacy to follow. And I know that the Holy Spirit will be guiding the cardinals as they choose the next Pope.”
From Thursday onward, the cardinals may hold up to four voting sessions per day two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
The outcome of each ballot will be made public through smoke signals from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel: black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote, while white smoke will signal that a new Pope has been elected.
--SABC--
