Rome [Italy], May 6: In a statement on May 5, the Vatican confirmed that the cardinals eligible to elect the next pope had arrived in Rome ahead of the important day. The conclave will begin in the Sistine Chapel on the afternoon of May 7, according to Reuters.
The conclave typically lasts for days with numerous secret ballots before a candidate wins the three-quarters majority needed to become pope and spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.
The voting is secret, but the counting is public. Accordingly, the three cardinals in charge of counting the votes will read out loud the ballots and take notes. After being counted, the ballots will be put into the incinerator. White smoke signals that a new pope has been elected, while black smoke means that the vote has not yet reached a result.
Some cardinals are looking for a new pope who will continue Francis' efforts toward a more transparent and open Church. But many others are drawn to traditional values and doctrine.
In recent times, two potential candidates to succeed Pope Francis are Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. However, many cardinals say they have not yet made a decision.
"My list is changing, and I think it will continue to change over the next few days. It's a process that for me is not yet finished," British Cardinal Vincent Nichols told Reuters.
In another development, the Vatican announced on May 5 that it would cut off phone signals in the small city during the conclave to elect a new pope - but this would not affect St. Peter's Square.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
