Papal Conclave Live Updates: Cardinals Gather to Elect Successor to Pope Francis

The much-awaited papal conclave has finally begun in Vatican City, as 133 Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world entered the Sistine Chapel today to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The doors of the chapel were shut this evening, and the beginning of the centuries-old and enigmatic tradition that will select the 267th leader of the Catholic Church has begun.

The day started with a special pre-conclave Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, where the cardinals prayed for divine guidance in their historic mission. By late afternoon, the cardinals marched into the Sistine Chapel, left their cellphones outside, and swore a solemn oath of silence. All non-cardinals were escorted out with the classic cry of "extra omnes," and the doors were closed.

The vote is already in progress, with the first wisps of church chimney smoke promised at 19:00 CET (17:00 GMT). Black smoke will indicate that there has not been an agreement, but white smoke - along with the pealing of the bells of St. Peter's - will indicate the choice of a new pope. But with the diversity of and the extent of opinion among the electors, a new pope will not be announced until Thursday or Friday.

This is the most multicultural conclave in history with cardinals coming from 70 nations and power blocs in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The ideological fault line dividing the contenders revolves around progressives versus traditionalists both attempting to shape the future of the Church. Among the front-runners or "papabile" are Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, and Jerusalem's Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. But without a favorite and with so many of Pope Francis himself's appointed cardinals from every part of the globe, the outcome is extremely unpredictable.

The world waits with bated breath now as the cardinals confer in secret under Michelangelo's frescoes, trying to reach a consensus regarding who will guide the world's 1.4 billion Catholics into the future.

Source: The Indian Express