Again Black Smoke, No New Pope Chosen
Cardinals Continue Search for New Pope; Black Smoke Signals Stalemate
Table of Contents
- Cardinals Continue Search for New Pope; Black Smoke Signals Stalemate
- cardinals Continue Search for New Pope: Your Questions Answered
- What’s Happening in the Vatican?
- Why Is There Black Smoke?
- What Happens During a Papal Election?
- What is the Schedule for the Conclave?
- How Long Does it Typically Take to Elect a Pope?
- What Happens After a Pope Is Elected?
- How Many Cardinals Are Involved?
- Why Might This Conclave Be Different?
- Which Cardinals Are Involved From Germany?
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The roughly 130 cardinals sequestered in the Vatican continue thier search for a new pope Thursday, following an inconclusive first day of balloting. Black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney Thursday morning, indicating that no decision had been reached.
Since Wednesday evening, the cardinals, all under the age of 80 and eligible to vote, have been isolated within the chapel, deliberating on who will lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Two ballots were held Thursday, but neither resulted in a consensus. At noon, black smoke onc again billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, watching as the black smoke signaled a continued deadlock. The selection process will continue after a break in the afternoon,wiht further smoke signals expected in the evening.No additional information is released from within the Sistine Chapel during the conclave.
On wednesday evening, similar black smoke announced the cardinals’ failure to elect a successor to the late Pope Francis on the first ballot. White smoke, in contrast, signals a successful election.
Timeline of the Conclave
Anticipation had been building in St. Peter’s square, where tens of thousands awaited a sign. The initial signal came three hours after the cardinals entered the chapel.An aircraft passing overhead, leaving white contrails, briefly sparked laughter and speculation among the crowd.
Prior to entering the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals attended a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Following a ceremonial procession, the churchmen meditated and swore an oath of confidentiality regarding the papal election.
Conclave Schedule
Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:
- 7:45 a.m.: Cardinals travel from their guest house to the Apostolic palace for Mass in the Pauline Chapel.
- 9:15 a.m.: Second ballot begins in the Sistine Chapel.
- 10:30 a.m.: Smoke signal – white for a new pope, black for no decision. A possible third ballot follows.
- Noon: Smoke signal – black or white.
- 12:30 p.m.: Cardinals return to the guest house.
- 3:45 p.m.: Cardinals travel by bus to the Apostolic Palace.
- 4:30 p.m.: Possible fourth ballot.
- 5:30 p.m.: Smoke signal – white if a new pope is elected.A possible fifth ballot follows.
- 7 p.m.: Smoke signal – black or white.
If no pope is chosen by Thursday evening, the process will repeat on Friday and Saturday, with a maximum of four ballots per day. A break will be taken if no agreement is reached. From Monday, further ballots will be held. If the cardinals remain deadlocked after 33 ballots, the election may proceed to a runoff between the two candidates with the most votes.
The Election Process
If a cardinal is successfully elected, he must accept the position. He then chooses a papal name and appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the faithful as the new Pontiff. The cardinal deacon announces “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”), and the new Pope delivers his first blessing, ”Urbi et orbi” (“to the city and the world”).
Length of Papal Elections
Historically,papal elections have varied in length.The election of pope Gregory X in the Middle Ages took nearly three years. In contrast, Pope Julius II was elected in just a few hours in 1503, allegedly due to bribery.
Many anticipate a new pope will be chosen this week. Since the 1960s, conclaves have typically lasted two to three days. However, the late Pope Francis appointed numerous new cardinals from diverse countries, meaning many electors may not know each othre well.This conclave is larger and more international than ever before.
Three German cardinals are participating in the election. Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller,former prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,told the German Press Agency he had packed his suitcase for “five,six days.”
“You have to be prepared,” the 77-year-old said. ”But of course, everyone hopes that it doesn’t take that long. Everyone wants to go home.” Cardinals Reinhard Marx,71,of Munich,and Rainer Maria Woelki,68,of Cologne,are also eligible to vote.(with material from the German Press Agency)
cardinals Continue Search for New Pope: Your Questions Answered
Are you curious about the process of electing a new pope and what’s happening right now in Vatican City? Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know, based on the latest developments.
What’s Happening in the Vatican?
The cardinals are currently in the process of electing a new pope. They’ve been sequestered in the Vatican, specifically in the Sistine Chapel, as Wednesday evening. As of Thursday morning, the balloting has been inconclusive, indicated by black smoke emerging from the chimney.
Why Is There Black Smoke?
Black smoke signals that the cardinals have not yet reached a decision. This smoke is created by burning the ballots. White smoke,conversely,indicates that a new pope has been successfully elected.
What Happens During a Papal Election?
The selection process, known as a conclave, involves cardinals under the age of 80.They are isolated in the Sistine Chapel to intentional on the identity of the next leader of the Catholic Church. During the conclave, they swear an oath of confidentiality regarding the papal election.
What is the Schedule for the Conclave?
Here’s a general timeline that is available:
7:45 a.m.: Cardinals travel from their guest house to the Apostolic palace for Mass in the Pauline Chapel.
9:15 a.m.: Second ballot begins in the Sistine Chapel.
10:30 a.m.: Smoke signal – white for a new pope, black for no decision. A possible third ballot follows.
Noon: Smoke signal – black or white.
12:30 p.m.: Cardinals return to the guest house.
3:45 p.m.: Cardinals travel by bus to the Apostolic Palace.
4:30 p.m.: Possible fourth ballot.
5:30 p.m.: Smoke signal – white if a new pope is elected.A possible fifth ballot follows.
* 7 p.m.: Smoke signal – black or white.
If no pope is decided upon by Thursday evening, the selection process will repeat on Friday and Saturday with a maximum of four ballots each day.
How Long Does it Typically Take to Elect a Pope?
Papal elections have varied greatly throughout history. While the election of Pope gregory X took nearly three years in the Middle Ages, Pope Julius II was elected in a matter of hours in 1503. However, in recent decades, conclaves have typically lasted two to three days.
What Happens After a Pope Is Elected?
Onc a cardinal is successfully elected, he must accept the position. He then chooses a papal name. The new Pope appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the faithful. The cardinal deacon announces “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”),and the new Pope delivers his first blessing,”Urbi et orbi” (“to the city and the world”).
How Many Cardinals Are Involved?
Roughly 130 cardinals are participating in the election.
Why Might This Conclave Be Different?
The late Pope Francis appointed numerous new cardinals from diverse countries. This means the electors may not know each other well, resulting in a larger and more international conclave than ever before.
Which Cardinals Are Involved From Germany?
Three German cardinals are participating: Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, cardinal Reinhard Marx and Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki.