Vatican Conclave Begins: Cardinals Convene to Elect New Pope

Conclave Commences

• 🔑 The conclave to elect the new pope has officially begun with the doors of the Sistine Chapel closed.
• 🔒 Cardinals have taken oaths of secrecy and are sequestered from the outside world, surrendering cellphones and having airwaves jammed.
• 🌍 Cardinals from 70 countries are participating, with 10 from the US, and a vast majority chosen by Pope Francis.

Election Process

• 🗳️ The cardinals will cast ballots until a two-thirds consensus is reached.
• ⚖️ The dean of the college reminded cardinals to set aside personal opinions and elect a pope who can foster unity in diversity.
• 📊 A CBS News poll indicates that over a third of US Catholics hope for a more conservative pontiff, while 21% desire a more progressive one.

Anticipation and Outcomes

• 🕊️ Crowds in St. Peter Square are awaiting smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney: black smoke signifies no decision, while white smoke indicates a new pope has been elected.
• ⏳ Few expect white smoke after the first vote, as no pope has been elected within just a few hours historically.
• ⛪ The world's 1.4 billion Catholics await the outcome, which will determine a new path for the church.