Vatican City. The cardinals. Photo: Riccardo Antimiani / Zuma Press
On Thursday, the Vatican continues the second day of a secret conclave where cardinals are to elect Pope Francis’ successor. The first round of voting ended on Wednesday with black smoke billowing over the Sistine Chapel, disappointing thousands of pilgrims and tourists gathered in St Peter’s Square. This was reported by AFP.
In total, a record number of 133 cardinals from about 70 countries are participating in the conclave, including Haiti and Cape Verde for the first time. To elect a new pontiff, at least 89 votes are required – two-thirds of the membership.
A secret ceremony – and global attention
The election ceremony is being held in complete isolation. Cardinals took a vow of silence under Michelangelo’s frescoes, and all means of communication in the Vatican are blocked.
More than 5,000 journalists from around the world are broadcasting from the Vatican, as the election of the new pope is of interest not only to believers, but also to politicians, cultural circles and analysts.
Who is on the list of favourites?
Among the likely contenders for the pontificate are Italians Pietro Parolin and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Maltese Mario Grech, Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, and Frenchman Jean-Marc Avelin, the Archbishop of Marseille.
Online betting platforms are showing great interest in the outcome of the election, and pilgrims in St Peter’s Square are waiting for the white smoke that will symbolise the new pope’s approval.
