Pope Election: Conclave Begins in the Vatican
With a public mass in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the eligible cardinals, led by the Italian Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re, initiated the ceremony for the election of the new Pope. Before spiritual and secular dignitaries, the 91-year-old Re on Wednesday sought God's help in the decision regarding the next Pontiff. The Cardinal Dean led the mass together with all conclave participants.
Mass before Conclave
"We are here to seek the assistance of the Holy Spirit, to implore His light and strength, so that the Pope is elected whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history," Re declared in his sermon during the traditional solemn mass "Pro eligendo Pontifice" (for the election of the Pope) before the start of the conclave.
"Prayer invoking the Holy Spirit is the only correct and required attitude, as the eligible cardinals prepare for a process of the highest human and ecclesiastical responsibility, for a decision of outstanding significance; it is a human act where all personal considerations must be set aside, and where one may only have in mind and heart the God of Jesus Christ and the well-being of the Church and humanity," explained the Cardinal Dean.
In the protocol order, the cardinal deacons, followed by the cardinal priests and the cardinal bishops, entered St. Peter's Basilica. The mass was also attended by cardinals over 80 years old, who are no longer eligible to vote for the Pope. However, they were not among the concelebrants of the service.
In the intercessions, the congregation prayed for the papal electors, so that "enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, they choose a worthy father for the Church." At the same time, Re also remembered the deceased Pope Francis. Many pilgrims followed the ceremony on large screens in St. Peter's Square.
Papal Election Follows
On Wednesday afternoon around 4:30 PM, the papal electors from all over the world will then enter the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican in a solemn procession. There, they are to determine the successor to Francis.
A short conclave of only a few days is expected in the Vatican. Since the mid-19th century, a papal election has never lasted longer than five days (including the day it begins). However, it is considered unlikely that the cardinals will decide in the first ballot on Wednesday afternoon, especially since a two-thirds majority of 89 votes is necessary.
For the following days, up to four ballots are scheduled at 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 7:00 PM. If the required majority is not reached, black smoke rises. The ballots are then to be burned at 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM. To ensure the smoke is black, chemical additives are mixed in. White smoke - traditionally produced by adding damp straw - is the signal that the Pontiff has been found.
The cardinals must cease all contact with the outside world during the election. In the Sistine Chapel, cell phones no longer have reception. During the conclave, the cardinals reside in the Santa Marta guesthouse in the Vatican, which is only one kilometer away from the Sistine Chapel.
Strict Security Measures
Strict security measures are being taken by the Vatican and the city of Rome for the conclave. The area around the Vatican has been extensively cordoned off. The highest security measures also apply in the other three jubilee basilicas and especially in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Francis' tomb is located. It is expected that tens of thousands of believers will flock to St. Peter's Basilica to witness the announcement of the new pope's name. The controls at the entrance to St. Peter's Square are quite rigorous. 4,000 police officers are on duty.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.