Catholic Church: Cardinals are still looking for a new Pope

After an unsuccessful ballot and a first night in foreclosure from the rest of the world, around 130 cardinals in the conclave continue for a new Pope. Since early Wednesday evening, the cardinals under the age of 80 who are allowed to dial have been in the conclave. This means that they are among themselves – until the choice of a new head of 1.4 billion Catholics.

Up to four ballots are planned for today. There should be smoke signals in the morning or around noon and in the evening – if it takes so long.

Waiting for a smoke signal

The public only experiences what happens in the voting races in the Sistine chapel of the Vatican through smoke signals. In the evening, black smoke rose from a specially installed chimney on the roof for the first time – the signal for an ballot without the required majority.

According to the Vatican, 45,000 people followed on St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday evening – with a view to the roof of the Sistine chapel – which color would have the first smoke sign out of the conclave.

The signal came only three hours after the door in the chapel was closed. Until then, the end of their impatience with gossiping. Laughing came up when an aircraft moved into the sky behind the chimney white cover stripes.

Conclaves last last two to three days

Many expect that there will still be a new Pope this week: since the 1960s, all complies have been over after two or three days. However, the late Pope Francis has appointed so many new cardinals, also from distant countries that many election men have not yet really known each other. The conclave is as large and more internationally occupied than ever.

The cardinals entitled to vote from all over the world must be younger than 80 years old. A two -thirds majority is required for the election to the 267th Pontifex in two millennia history – 89 votes.

“Of course everyone hopes that it will not take that long”

Three German cardinals also choose with. The former prefect of the Vatican Major Congregation, Gerhard Ludwig Müller, told the German Press Agency that he had been grabbed his suitcase for “five or six days”. “You have to be prepared,” said the 77-year-old. “But of course everyone hopes that it will not take that long. Everyone wants to go home.” The cardinals Reinhard Marx (71) from Munich and Rainer Maria Woelki (68) from Cologne are also entitled to vote from Germany.

The church tops are housed in the guest house complex of the Vatican, the Casa Santa Marta – also sealed off from the outside world. You have to hand in cell phones, smartphones and all other digital devices. In the guest house, they also spend the last hours to the Sistine chapel – one of the most beautiful polling stations in the world. Among the ceiling paintings by Michelangelo, they had to swear to God that they have a ban on contact and confidentiality.

First appearance on a balcony

When a new pope is chosen, the proverbial white smoke rises above the Sistine chapel. A little later it is announced by the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: Habemus Papam (we have a Pope). Then the new head of the church shows the public, which also experiences his self -elected papal name.

In front of the conclave, the lists with possible successors for Francis last day to day. In addition to Pietro Parolin, two other Italians are considered candidates: the Archbishop of Bologna, Matteo Zuppi (69), and the patriarch by Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa (60). In the candidate carousel, the Philippiner Luis Antonio Tagle (67), the Frenchman Jean-Marc -veline (66), the Portuguese José Tolentino de Mendonça (59), the Hungarian Peter Erdö (72), the Luxembourg Jean-Claude Hollerich (66)-and a few more.

According to Catholic theory of faith, the Pope is the successor to the apostle Peter and deputy of Jesus Christ on earth. He is also Bishop of Rome, Primas of Italy and head of state of the Vatican. He doesn’t have great world power.