The cardinal cardinals of the Cardinalio College meet in the Sistine chapel To choose the new Pope to succeed Francisco at the Holy See. With great challenges to face in different parts of the world from the Roman dome, both as a voice of weight against international conflicts, as well as to solve internal problems of the Catholic church.
After the Mass celebration For choosing a pontiff In the Basilica of San Pedro, to begin with the procession to the Sistine chapel at 11.30. There they will pray the litanies at all solemnity, enter the iconic Vatican enclosure and the order will be given Outside all And it will be isolated to conclave.
Of the 252 cardinals that the Catholic church135 are those enabled to vote, that is, they are less than 80 years old, but only 133 will be present. The absent will be the Spanish Antonio Cañizares and the Kenyan John Njue, who for health reasons cannot move to the Holy See to cast their vote.
The first fumata will be around 13, when the cardinals have cast the first vote of the Conclave. In the event that I get two thirds of the votes, the smoke will be white, but, most likely, at least you have to wait until Thursday to meet the new Pontiff.
Thursday May 8
3.35 | A new day begins in the Vatican
After the first black smoking in the Sistine Chapel, the conclave will vote on Thursday in search of Pope Francis’s successor.
Wednesday May 7
16.01 | Black smoking in the first vote of the conclave
At 16:30 (Italy time, 11:30 in Argentina), the sloping ones began the solemn procession from the Pauline chapel of the Apostolic Palace to the Sistine Chapel, marking the official beginning of the choice process. Meanwhile, in the Plaza de San Pedro, a multitude of faithful congregated with hope and attention, waiting for the signal that revealed if a decision had been reached.
However, the black smoking that emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel after the afternoon indicated that the new Pope has not yet been chosen. On Thursday morning, the cardinals will meet again to continue the voting.
15.50 | After more than three hours there is no smoke in the Sistine Chapel
Thousands of people wait for smoking in the Vatican after more than three hours without news of what happens within the conclave, so the different assumptions began that is happening among the cardinals. Some are encouraged to talk about the possibility of a new elected pope in the first vote.
12.43 | Outside all: The cardinals are already in the Sistine Chapel to vote for the new Pope
After the procession praying the litanies from the Paulina chapel, in the Apostolic Palace, to the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals were located in their desks to vote at 267. Thus the extra omnes were pronounced and the doors of the enclosure were sealed to start with the absolute isolation of the cardinals.
After the big doors of the Sistine Chapel, the last preparations of the conclave will then begin to begin the vote and then the counting of the votes. If any of the candidates obtains two thirds of the 133 voters, it will be the new Pope and will be announced with the traditional white smoking, but the smoking will be black.
11.30 | The cardinals begin their march to the Sistine Chapel
The cardinals gathered in the Pauline chapel to begin with the prayers to choose “a worthy shepherd of the flock of Christ”, asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the apostles and the Holy Spirit. From these prayer of the litanies, the cardinals ask for heavenly support so that their choice is the best for the Catholic Church.
5.50 | Re asked “the greatest human and ecclesial responsibility” to choose the Pope
Cardinal Re gave the sermon during the Mass For choosing a pontiff And he remarked: “I will raise a faithful priest, who will act according to the wishes of the heart of God.”
In addition, Re emphasized “maintaining the unity of the Church on the path drawn by Christ to the apostles”, one of the great concerns of the conclave.
4.30 | The cardinals celebrate the Mass for the choice of the new Pope
The Cardinal College puts in God the hands of God Conclave For your choice during the next few days, as expected, with only one contact with the exterior: the fireplace. The Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista will preside over the Mass as Dean of the Cardenalicio College.
The same does not integrate the group of voters since he is 91 years old, but can influence the homily during this Mass, so his words can be key. He was appointed Cardinal by Pope John Paul II, so it can be seen with good eyes from the sectors closest to traditionalism.
