Cardinals Prepare For Historic Conclave To Elect New Pope.
Cardinals from across the globe will begin settling into their Vatican accommodation on Tuesday, as they prepare for the secretive and historic conclave to elect the next pope, set to commence on Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel.
Following the passing of Pope Francis on 21 April, 133 cardinal electors, representing 70 countries across five continents, will gather to choose the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. This conclave, the largest and most international in history, underscores the global reach of the Catholic Church, which continues to wield significant influence while grappling with modern challenges, including the fallout from widespread child sex abuse scandals and the need to adapt to a rapidly changing world.
The cardinals will primarily reside in the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse, known for its en-suite bathrooms and hotel-style services. However, due to limited space, some will be accommodated in the adjacent Santa Marta Vecchia, with rooms assigned by drawing lots. This arrangement reflects the logistical complexities of hosting such a diverse and numerous group.
Pope Francis, the energetic reformer from Buenos Aires who led the Church for 12 years, appointed 80 percent of the current cardinal electors. His papacy was marked by efforts to open up the Church, address abuse scandals, and reform Vatican finances. However, experts caution against assuming the cardinals will select a progressive successor, with some conservative voices advocating for a return to core doctrinal focus.
In the lead-up to the conclave, cardinals have held near-daily preparatory meetings over the past fortnight to discuss the Church’s challenges and the qualities needed in their new leader. At their final meeting on Tuesday morning, they reviewed Francis’s reforms and addressed pressing issues, including divisions within the Church and the need for a pope who can inspire hope, according to Vatican press spokesman Matteo Bruni. The cardinals also expressed regret over the lack of progress in resolving global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine, urging ceasefires and unconditional negotiations.
A Diverse Field of Contenders
The conclave, which begins at 4:30 pm on Wednesday after a morning mass, could last several days, though recent papal elections have concluded swiftly. Both Francis and his predecessor, Benedict XVI, were elected within two days, but historical precedent includes a papal election that dragged on for over 1,000 days between 1268 and 1271.
More than a dozen names are circulating as potential frontrunners, including Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Hungarian conservative Peter Erdo. However, with no formal candidate lists or campaigning, and given the diversity of the electors, many anticipate an unpredictable outcome. Franco-Algerian cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, speaking to Italy’s Corriere della Sera, noted that the preparatory meetings had fostered connections among the cardinals, many of whom were meeting for the first time. He suggested there are “at least five or six” contenders, including both well-known figures and those who have emerged as compelling voices during discussions. “There is no-one who ‘trounces’ the others,” Vesco said, “but it will happen.”
Voices from the Vatican
As preparations unfold, tourists at the Vatican shared their hopes for the new pontiff. Veronica de Garcia, a 30-year-old from Mexico, called for a pope who is open-minded and supportive of young people with diverse values. Meanwhile, Enzo Orsingher, a 78-year-old Roman, stressed that certain principles, such as opposition to abortion, remain non-negotiable.
The conclave’s proceedings are shrouded in secrecy, with cardinals sworn to silence under threat of excommunication. They are prohibited from contacting the outside world, and the Vatican will cut phone signals within the city state from 3:00 pm on Wednesday until a new pope is chosen, though St Peter’s Square will remain unaffected. Cardinals must leave their mobile phones behind during voting, and their progress will be signalled to the world through the traditional burning of ballots—black smoke indicating no decision, white smoke heralding the election of a new pope.
The Vatican staff supporting the conclave, from medics to canteen workers, have also taken oaths of secrecy, ensuring the process remains cloaked in the solemnity and mystery that has defined papal elections for centuries.
As the world watches, the Sistine Chapel, captured in a striking image released by Vatican Media on Tuesday, stands ready to host this pivotal moment in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history. The outcome will not only shape the future of the Church but also influence its role in addressing the pressing moral and social issues of our time.
