Happy Start of Conclave Day!
133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel to elect the 267th successor to St. Peter.
Only those 80 years old can vote.
Around 10 AM local time (4 AM ET), the College of Cardinals attended the “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice” Mass, their last public event before they enter the conclave.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, gave the homily, urging “unity and service.”
The cardinals left the Casa Santa Maria, a Pontifical North American College residence, around 3:45 PM local time (9:45 AM ET) and gathered at the Pauline Chapel at 4:15 PM local time (10:15 AM ET).
The cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel at 4:30 PM local time (10:30 AM ET).
Every cardinal swears an oath to fulfill Munus Petrinum (Petrine Ministry), which is basically to continue Peter’s ministry, if elected pope: “I, Cardinal [Name], do so promise, pledge and swear. So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand.”
It also includes a promise of secrecy and not allowing the outside world to sway their vote.
The Holy Spirit is to guide the cardinals.
After the oaths, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies said, “extra omnes” (everyone out), emptying the chapel of everyone not involved in the conclave.
Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher Emeritus of the Papal Household, delivered the second meditation to the Cardinal electors in front of the Master of Liturgical Ceremonies.
Cantalamessa and the Master of Liturgical Ceremonies leave the Sistine Chapel.
Voting begins.
The smoke from the votes will be the only communication the cardinals have with the outside world until a new pope emerges.
The cardinals will vote once today, around 7 PM local time (1 PM ET).
Starting tomorrow, the voting could happen as many as four times, twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.
The ballot says, “Eligio in Summum Pontificem” (“I elected as the Supreme Pontiff”). The cardinals write down their choice and cast the ballot in a chalice at Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgement after a prayer.
A cardinal must have a two-thirds majority to become the next pope.
Once the majority has been met and the candidate accepts, the cardinals burn the ballots with chemicals that make the smoke white.
I just hope the new pope is someone the leftists and media won’t use to twist and fit their agenda.
Yes, I had a few problems with Pope Francis, but he wasn’t as radical or “rebellious” as the left and media made him out to be.
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