In around 14 days, the process by which the Catholic Church’s cardinals choose a new pontiff will begin. Some have already arrived in Rome for the conclave, as it is known — a process steeped in tradition and secrecy.
Conclave is where ritual and art, politics and power come together in total secrecy. The process to decide the next pope will begin in the Sistine Chapel in around two weeks’ time, beneath Michelangelo’s extraordinary ceiling. The doors are locked, communication is severed, and the 135 cardinals under the age of 80 — those entitled to vote — swear an oath of silence.
The first rule of Conclave is: you do not talk about Conclave.
The Oscar-winning movie “Conclave,” released six months ago, painstakingly recreated the papal election process as the backdrop for a story of raw politics in red robes.
It won’t be quite like that — but there might be battles. Will the new pope share Pope Francis’s progressive ideas, or will more traditional voices hold sway? Among the three English cardinals with a vote, Vincent Nichols advises: expect the unexpected.
80% of those voting in the conclave were appointed by Pope Francis, but his selections reflect both ideology and geography.
European cardinals once dominated; now they represent just 39% of those in the conclave. 17% are from Asia, 13% from South America, and a growing number from Africa.
In Ghana, many hope Peter Turkson might become the first Black pope since the early days of Christianity. Many Filipino Catholics will be praying that Archbishop of Manila Luis Tagle becomes a rare Asian pope.
The Hungarian Péter Erdő is a leading conservative candidate, while Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (possibly meant by “Proin”) is seen as more of a continuity pope, aligned with Francis’s vision.
Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of Abuja, says:
“What we are praying for is not for an African pope, a Black pope, an American pope, an Asian pope. No. We are praying for a good and holy pope.”
Cardinals will vote twice a day until one name receives two-thirds of the votes. While no decision has been made, the ballots are burned with chemicals to produce black smoke. Conclave remains in session until white smoke rises — the ancient signal that a new pope has been chosen.
About the Author
