Photo credit: www.cbc.ca
Roman Catholic cardinals are set to convene in a private conclave beginning May 7 to elect a new leader for the global Church, according to official Vatican announcements.
To facilitate this process, the historic Sistine Chapel, where these conclaves are traditionally held, was closed to the public earlier this week to prepare for the event.
Only cardinals under 80 years old will be eligible to cast their votes for Pope Francis’s successor, with approximately 135 cardinals from around the world expected to participate in this discreet electoral process. Notably, Pope Francis appointed nearly 80% of the cardinal electors currently eligible.
A candidate is deemed elected when they secure at least two-thirds of the votes. Historically, modern papal conclaves have spanned multiple days and involved numerous rounds of voting.
Pope Francis, who passed away recently, was elected on the second day and fifth ballot during 2013’s conclave, which was attended by numerous cardinals.
The conclave, which is set to unfold in the coming days, will mark an important event in the Church as it focuses on selecting not just a spiritual guide but also a significant world leader amid contemporary global challenges.
In a conversation with theologian and Vatican expert Massimo Faggioli, insights will be shared about how the Church aims to navigate its role on the global stage following Francis’s death and how the cardinals might approach the pivotal task ahead.
Four Canadian Cardinals Eligible
Pope Francis made a concerted effort to diversify the College of Cardinals, appointing individuals from regions that had never before had representation, such as Myanmar, Haiti, and Rwanda. As it stands, the cardinal electors hail from 71 countries, an increase from 48 in 2013.
The largest national group among the electors is Italian, with 17 cardinals, followed by 10 from the United States and seven from Brazil.
Four Canadian cardinals—Thomas Collins, Michael Czerny, Francis Leo, and Gérald Lacroix—are eligible to participate in the upcoming conclave.
Marc Ouellet, who will turn 81 in June, is unable to vote but remains a potential candidate for the papacy. During the previous conclave, Ouellet ranked third in all five ballots, trailing behind Italian cardinal Angelo Scola and Jorge Mario Bergoglio, later known as Pope Francis.
Many cardinals may not be widely recognized outside their home nations, but they will have opportunities to build rapport through pre-conclave meetings known as General Congregations, during which they will assess the qualities desired in the next pope.
As Swedish cardinal Anders Arborelius noted, “We don’t know each other,” highlighting the importance of these gatherings.
Traditions of the Conclave
Voting occurs via ballots inscribed with the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I choose as Supreme Pontiff”). Votes will be collected and burnt after each day’s sessions, with a chimney above the Sistine Chapel signaling the outcome.
Black smoke indicates that no decision has been reached, while white smoke signifies the election of a new pope.
Once a new pope is confirmed, a senior cardinal will step onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus Papam.” which translates to, “I announce to you great joy. We have a pope.” This announcement reveals the new pope’s name, including both his given and chosen papal name in Latin.
Traditionally, the most commonly selected papal names include John, Gregory, Benedict, Clement, Innocent, Leo, and Pius.
Source
www.cbc.ca