Papal Conclave Begins: Cardinals Convene to Elect New Pope

Papal Conclave Underway

• ⛪ The papal conclave has officially begun with the closing of the Sistine Chapel doors.
• ⏳ This process to select a new pope commences less than three weeks after the death of Pope Francis.
• 🔒 133 cardinals have entered the chapel, taken an oath of secrecy, and are now sequestered from the outside world.

Election Process and Requirements

• 🗳️ The cardinals will cast ballots until a two-thirds consensus is reached to elect a successor.
• 🌍 The 133 cardinals represent 70 countries, with 10 hailing from the US.
• 🧑‍⚖️ The dean of the college of cardinals urged them to set aside personal opinions and elect a pope who can foster unity in diversity.

Public Anticipation and Expectations

• 💨 Crowds are watching for smoke signals from a temporary chimney on the Sistine Chapel roof: black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke signifies a new pope.
• 🗓️ While few expect a decision after the first vote, experts suggest a new pope could be elected by the weekend, drawing parallels to the two-day election of Pope Francis in 2013.
• 📊 A CBS News poll indicates that over a third of US Catholics hope for a more conservative pontiff than Pope Francis, while 21% desire someone more progressive.
• ♀️ Some Catholics express a desire for greater female involvement in church services.