The upcoming papal conclave in Rome is poised to be one of the largest and most diverse in history, with 133 cardinals gathering to choose the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The conclave is set to begin on May 7, with the voting process taking place in the iconic Sistine Chapel.
In order to select a new pope, a two-thirds majority vote is required among the cardinals. The successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, will be chosen through this secretive and sacred process. The past ten conclaves have lasted an average of 3.2 days, with none exceeding five days. Salvadoran Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez has predicted that this conclave may last a maximum of three days.
During the conclave, the cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes in silence between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. No discussions or lobbying take place within the chapel, ensuring the utmost secrecy. The chapel is swept for electronic bugs daily, and the ballots are carefully handled to maintain confidentiality.
After each round of voting, if a new pope is not chosen, the ballots are burned with a chemical agent producing black smoke, indicating no decision has been made. When a new pope is elected, the ballots are burned with a different additive, creating white smoke to announce the selection.
Speculation is rife about who the next pope will be, with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin of Italy and Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle of the Philippines among the leading contenders. The cardinals voting in this conclave come from 71 countries, making it the most geographically diverse in history.
With the voting process set to begin, the world waits to see who will emerge as the 267th pope and lead the Roman Catholic Church into the future. The conclave represents a pivotal moment in the history of the Church, as the cardinals gather to make this important decision in the heart of Rome.
