Black smoke emanated from the chimney of Rome’s Sistine Chapel on Thursday, indicating that the 133 elector cardinals locked inside had not yet chosen a successor to Pope Francis after early votes on the second day of the conclave. The cardinals spent the morning secluded inside the historic chapel adorned with frescoes by artists like Michelangelo, praying for guidance and conducting two secret votes in their quest to determine new leadership for the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. Following this, they returned to their living quarters at Casa Santa Marta for lunch and were scheduled to reconvene later in the afternoon for two more rounds of voting. If a candidate secures two-thirds of the votes or more, white smoke will billow from the chimney; otherwise, black smoke will signify that the process will continue the following day.
Regarding the cardinals’ meals during the conclave, the Italian news agency ANSA reported that certain foods potentially used to convey messages into the papal conclave, such as asparagus, ravioli, and whole chicken, were prohibited. The menu featured minimal wine consumption and desserts only on Sundays, according to ANSA. Italian nutritionist Giorgio Calabrese, who curated the suggested menu for the cardinals, tailored it to provide the necessary energy for their potentially sedentary lifestyle during the conclave. He recommended a breakfast comprising simple carbohydrates like sweet items with partially skimmed milk and toast with jam or honey, a light lunch featuring pasta or risotto, white meat or grilled fish, and steamed or grilled vegetables, and dinner consisting of cooked ham, lean beef, smoked salmon, bluefish, tuna or sardines, and fresh cheeses. Cardinal who wish to drink wine were advised to limit themselves to a single glass.
Meanwhile, Maria Tadini, residing over 350 miles away from the conclave in Rome, is eagerly watching her television at home in the northern Italian town of Castel Liteggio, hoping to learn whether her son, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, might be elected as the next pope. Pizzaballa, known as one of the strong contenders, has been serving in the church in Jerusalem since 1990 and gained international attention for offering himself as a hostage in a hostage situation involving children taken by militants. His mother, Tadini, aged 90, expressed her support for her son whether he becomes the pope or returns to Jerusalem, highlighting his dedicated service in the Holy Land.
Additionally, St. Peter’s Square was crowded for the second day in a row with tourists, pilgrims, and locals eagerly awaiting the emergence of white smoke from the chimney, indicating the selection of a new pope. However, the smoke remained black as on the previous evening, signifying that no candidate had been chosen yet.
A two-thirds majority has been achieved. Tom Barbitta, a tourist from North Carolina, is currently in Italy with his wife, Susan, and they visited the square to witness the smoke signal. Speaking to Reuters, Barbitta described Francis as a humble and down-to-earth person, expressing his hope that the next pope would possess similar qualities.
Many visitors in the square had planned their trips to Rome prior to Pope Francis’ passing or the scheduling of the conclave. Linda Perotti from Colorado, speaking to the Associated Press, shared her belief that the newly elected pope would bring healing and unity to the world, considering her presence during the conclave as a miraculous experience.
Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, at 91 years old, is unable to participate in the conclave due to his age. While away in Pompeii, Re expressed his desire for the conclave to reach a decision promptly to strengthen faith in a world consumed by technological advancements and a diminishing focus on spirituality.
The first day of the conclave concluded with the emergence of black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating that no candidate had garnered enough votes. The strict tradition of isolation during the conclave, established during medieval times, remains in place, with modern security measures enforced to maintain secrecy.
The selection of the next pope holds significant importance for the Church, with various cardinals emerging as potential successors to Pope Francis. Among the widely mentioned candidates are non-Italians such as Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, Jean-Marc Aveline from France, and Peter Erdo from Hungary. Italy also presents strong contenders, including Pietro Parolin, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Matteo Zuppi, all closely associated with the current Pope.
As the conclave progresses, the anticipation builds at St. Peter’s Square, where cardinals from around the globe gather to elect the next pontiff in this historic event.
The current result shows that 80% of the current cardinals were appointed by him. During a conclave, the color of the smoke, whether black or white, holds significance. Black smoke signals that no decision has been made on electing a new pope, while white smoke indicates a successful election. Typically, a conclave can last for a few days, with up to four rounds of voting occurring daily. There is no set time limit for the conclave, but recent conclaves have been relatively short, lasting only a few days. Historically, the process has been known to take longer, such as the nearly three-year conclave in Viterbo, Italy, following the death of Pope Clement IV in 1268. Since 1846, it has taken cardinals two to five days to select the last 12 popes. The longest modern conclave occurred in 1903, lasting five days before Pope Pius X was chosen. Cardinal Dolan of the United States shared insights on the conclave process, suggesting that the current one could take three to four days due to the presence of numerous deserving candidates. The future of the Catholic Church is believed to be closely tied to Africa, with a growing Catholic population that reflects the continent’s spiritual strength. Cardinals from Africa, such as Peter Turkson, Robert Sarah, and Jean-Marc Aveline, are among the potential contenders to become the next pope.
