By Staff Reporter
Cardinals from across the globe have gathered in Rome, Italy, for the highly anticipated conclave to elect the next Pope.
The ritual kicked off with a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning.
Later, in the afternoon, the 133 cardinal electors will make their way to the Sistine Chapel, chanting the litany of the saints. Once inside, they will take a vow of secrecy before Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes, committing to the solemn task of selecting the new leader of the Catholic Church.
This conclave follows the recent funeral of Pope Francis, marking a significant moment in the church’s history.
Stay tuned for live updates as the cardinals begin their deliberations and voting process.
UPDATE :
Hope for a Pope that will foster unity within the church
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, has urged the cardinal who will elect the new Pope to put personal interests aside and choose someone who prizes unity in diversity.
Re reminded cardinals that the conclave is the highest church responsibility, and they must set aside “every personal consideration”.
In his sermon, he said the new pope should foster unity within the church.
Re said the cardinals should elect someone “whom the church and humanity need at this difficult, complex, and turbulent turning point in history”.
“Let us pray that God grants the church a Pope who will be able to awaken the consciences of all, as well as the moral and spiritual energies in today’s society, characterised by great technological progress, but which tends to forget God.”
UPDATE :
Front-runners emerge
Among the frontrunners are Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
Born on January 17, 1955, in Schiavon, Italy, Parolin has been a significant figure in the Catholic Church, particularly as the Secretary of State under Pope Francis since 2013.
Parolin’s journey began in a devout Catholic family, where he experienced a profound loss at the age of ten when his father died in a car accident. This tragedy shaped his early life and led him to pursue a vocation in the priesthood.
He was ordained in 1980 and began his diplomatic career for the Vatican in 1986, eventually rising to the role of Undersecretary for Relations with States from 2002 to 2009.
According to various observers and betting agencies, Parolin is favoured to secure between 40 to 60 votes in the initial round.
