The 115 cardinal electors, all of them below 80 years of age have already gathered. They have started their Conclave on Tuesday, March 12. Now the whole world is waiting for one of the world’s greatest news – the election of the new pope to replace Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whose resignation took effect at the end of February 2013. The selection of the new Pontiff is taking place at the beautiful and ornate Sistine Chapel. The cardinals are now in isolation the entire time until a new pope has been selected.
Black Smoke, White Smoke
Just like how the American Indians communicated with one another in the days of old, the world will know when a new pope has been selected when the Sistine Chapel’s chimney blows white smoke. If it is black, it means a final decision has not been reached. It is one of the traditional rituals of papal succession. The cardinals conduct a secret ballot. The objective is for a candidate to receive two-thirds plus one of the votes. After each vote the ballots are burned.
Black Smoke on the First Voting
Puffs of black smoke billowed out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Tuesday evening – indicating that no pope has been selected in the first voting. The next voting takes place on Wednesday morning.
Oath of secrecy
Before the selection proper took place, so many rituals and procedures had to be followed. On Monday, March 11, 90 people, including drivers, cleaning staff, Swiss Guards and priests were sworn to secrecy. They will be on hand all the time to provide all kinds of assistance to the cardinals. Breaking the oath of secrecy they took would mean excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church.
Members of the Conclave have a special place to stay at the Vatican during the whole process. They are to stay at the Domus Marthae until they have chosen a new pope. They will be shuttled back and forth from their temporary residence to the Sistine Chapel.
Start of the Conclave
Before the start of the Conclave, the cardinals wore their red robes and attended a Latin Mass called “pro eligendo Romano Pontifice” at St. Peter’s Church. The mass was led by Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. It was followed by a procession from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel, where singing and prayers in Latin accompanied them.
Upon reaching the Sistine Chapel, several other rituals took place. All the cardinals that are not electors and other priests were requested to leave. Monsignor Guido Marini, who is the Master of Ceremonies, said, “extra omnes” which translates to “everybody out.” After they have gone out, the doors of the Sistine Chapel was closed for the Conclave to start in earnest. The word Conclave actually came from the Latin word con clavum, which translates to “with key.” This came about because the voting members were locked inside a room until they have elected a new pope.
The Cardinals are not allowed to have any contact with the outside world; hence the only communication method to announce the success or failure of the selection is through white or black smoke from the chapel’s chimney. The chapel has been installed with a jamming device.
The voting process involves the Cardinals writing the name of their own preferred candidate on a piece of paper. They might even try to disguise their handwriting. They will place their ballot into a tray that will be slid into an urn, which will then be handled by the scrutineers. They will count the votes and pierce them with a needle fed with thread. The magic number is 77 that makes two thirds of the votes from the 115 elector Cardinals plus one additional vote.
A special 74-year old stove had been installed at the Sistine Chapel for this purpose. It is here where the voting papers will be fed. Chemicals are added to them so that when he papers burn, they will either emit white or black smoke.
What to expect next
After Tuesday’s voting, two rounds of voting will take place in the morning and in the afternoon of Wednesday, and smoke is expected at 11:00 am and again at around 6:00 pm. Spotlights were installed, pointed at the chimney to ensure a clear view of the smoke even if darkness falls. If a new Pope has been chosen, the bells of the St. Peter’s Church will peal. Soon afterwards, the new Pope will appear on the balcony to give his first blessing, the “Urbi et Orbi.”
The Cardinal Protodeacon, Jean-Louis Tauran, who is the senior Cardinal Deacon, will give the announcement in Latin by saying, “Habemus Papam!” from the St. Peter’s Basilica’s central balcony. In English, it translates to “We have a Pope!”
Video: Black Smoke Seen Over Vatican by PeoplesUnderground·
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