Cardinals Begin Day 2: Vatican Conclave Continues Search for Next Pope
This Thursday, the 133 cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave will resume the process in the Sistine Chapel for the election of a new pope. (Photo: EFE)
May 8, 2025 Hour: 12:10 am
The anticipation gripping the Catholic world has reached a fever pitch as the cardinals tasked with electing a new pope prepared to retreat behind the heavy doors of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel for their second day of voting in the conclave.
The process, steeped in tradition and secrecy, holds significant importance for the 1.4 billion Catholics eagerly awaiting the announcement of the new pontiff.
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Late Wednesday, a plume of black smoke rose over the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, signaling that the conclave’s first ballot had not secured the required two-thirds majority to elect a successor to the late Pope Francis.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and curious Romans gathered to witness the historic event, but their anticipation turned to disappointment as they saw black smoke instead of the expected white.
The 133 “Princes of the Church” spent the night sequestered in the Santa Marta guesthouse, reflecting on the weight of the decision before them.
Before starting the second day of voting, they attended a private mass on Thursday morning to seek divine inspiration.
The morning’s first secret ballot could again fail to yield a conclusive result, in which case a second vote will be held. If the afternoon sessions still produce no consensus, the cardinals will continue voting until a new pope is elected.
The Conclave Process: Tradition and Secrecy
The cardinals are bound by centuries-old traditions and are sworn to secrecy under threat of excommunication.
Their only means of communicating the outcome of their votes to the outside world is through the burning of ballots with specific chemicals to produce smoke: black indicating no decision and white signaling the successful election of a new pope.
This method, while rudimentary, adds a dramatic flair to the proceedings, capturing the attention and emotions of millions around the globe.
Historically, the duration of conclaves has varied widely. The last two papal elections in 2005 and 2013 each concluded within two days, but past conclaves have extended much longer.
The longest conclave on record lasted nearly three years, from November 1268 to September 1271.
This year’s conclave is notable not only for its size but also for its diversity, bringing together cardinals from approximately 70 countries, many of whom are meeting for the first time.
The Challenges Ahead: A Church at a Crossroads
The Catholic Church finds itself at a critical juncture, facing numerous internal and external challenges that the new pope will need to address.
From the ongoing fallout of the global clerical sex abuse scandal to the geopolitical uncertainties and divisions within the Church, the next pontiff must possess both keen diplomatic skills and a deep understanding of the Church’s doctrinal foundations.
In the Western world, the Church grapples with increasingly empty pews and a growing need to resonate with younger generations.
Meanwhile, the broader Catholic community is split between those who wish to continue the progressive reforms championed by Pope Francis and those who advocate for a return to more conservative traditions.
The cardinals, therefore, are tasked not just with selecting a new leader but with choosing a path forward for the two-millennia-old institution.
The Moments Before the Decision: Solemn Reflection and Prayer
The start of the conclave was marked by a solemn procession of cardinals and clergy into the Sistine Chapel, which was streamed live on large screens before St Peter’s Basilica.
After gathering for silent prayer in the Vatican’s Pauline Chapel, the cardinals proceeded in a colorful procession escorted by Swiss Guards to the famed 15th-century chapel adorned with Michelangelo’s frescoes.
During a mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, offered final words of advice.
He urged his fellow cardinals to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that the elected pope would be the one needed by both the Church and humanity at this pivotal moment in history.
Notably, Battista Re himself, being over the age of 80, is too old to vote but remains a respected figure in the proceedings.
Awaiting the New Pontiff
As the cardinals continue their secluded voting process, the world watches and waits for the appearance of white smoke and the subsequent presentation of the new pope from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
Around 80 percent of the current electors were appointed by Pope Francis, adding an element of continuity to the proceedings.
The names circulating among potential candidates reflect the Church’s diverse traditions and the desire to balance progressive ideals with doctrinal integrity.
Whether the new pope will lean towards protecting Francis’s legacy or steering the Church back to more conservative shores remains to be seen.
What is certain is that the elected pontiff will face a monumental task in leading the Catholic Church through these challenging times, fostering unity, and addressing the issues that lie ahead.
As Catholics worldwide await the definitive signal from the conclave, the sense of hope and anticipation continues to build, echoing through the hallowed halls of the Vatican and beyond.
Author: Manuel F. Diaz
Source: teleSUR-France24-Reuters
