Cardinals
yesterday at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City had the first ballot of the
conclave to select a new pope– but the ballot did not produce a pope.
yesterday at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City had the first ballot of the
conclave to select a new pope– but the ballot did not produce a pope.
The
so-called Princes of the Church assembled in the ornate chapel to decide on a
new pontiff.
so-called Princes of the Church assembled in the ornate chapel to decide on a
new pontiff.
There
first ballot , which led to the emission of black smoke indicating there was no
decision yet on the next pope, was around 7pm (GMT).
first ballot , which led to the emission of black smoke indicating there was no
decision yet on the next pope, was around 7pm (GMT).
The day
began with a Latin Mass in St Peter’s for the cardinals and public and which is
traditionally held before the conclave starts and is known as “pro eligendo
Romano Pontifice”.
began with a Latin Mass in St Peter’s for the cardinals and public and which is
traditionally held before the conclave starts and is known as “pro eligendo
Romano Pontifice”.
It
follows ex-pope Benedict XVI stepping down last month after eight years in
office.
follows ex-pope Benedict XVI stepping down last month after eight years in
office.
In all,
115 cardinal electors, those below the age of 80, are involved in the process.
115 cardinal electors, those below the age of 80, are involved in the process.
The
secret ballot will involve the cardinals writing the name of their preferred
candidate on a slip of paper – trying to disguise their handwriting if possible
– which they will then place on a tray with the ballot then sliding into an
urn.
secret ballot will involve the cardinals writing the name of their preferred
candidate on a slip of paper – trying to disguise their handwriting if possible
– which they will then place on a tray with the ballot then sliding into an
urn.
Once
all the votes are counted by the scrutineers they are pierced with a needle
through the Latin word “Eligendo” (I elect) and a thread is fed through them.
all the votes are counted by the scrutineers they are pierced with a needle
through the Latin word “Eligendo” (I elect) and a thread is fed through them.
The
voting papers are put into a 74-year-old stove, which has been specially
installed in the Sistine Chapel, and burnt. Chemicals are added to produce
white smoke to show a winner has emerged, and black if there is still no
decision.
voting papers are put into a 74-year-old stove, which has been specially
installed in the Sistine Chapel, and burnt. Chemicals are added to produce
white smoke to show a winner has emerged, and black if there is still no
decision.
