The world awaits white smoke as cardinals enter conclave

The world awaits white smoke as cardinals enter conclave

Cardinals convene at the Vatican today for the Conclave, where they will elect a new pope following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. This significant assembly will decide the 267th leader of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican State.

A total of 133 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, are eligible to vote. They represent 71 countries and will undertake the solemn responsibility of selecting the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Notably, 80% of the participating cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis.

Among the four Nigerian cardinals, only Cardinal Peter Okpaleke, Bishop of Ekwulobia in Anambra State, is eligible to vote. Appointed by Pope Francis in 2022, Okpaleke stands as Nigeria’s lone representative in this crucial process.

Countries with the largest number of voting cardinals include Italy (17), the United States (10), Brazil (7), and France and Spain (5 each). Other countries with four voting cardinals each include Argentina, Canada, India, Poland, and Portugal.

How the Pope Is Chosen

The election takes place in the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinal electors swear an oath of absolute secrecy before the doors are sealed. Voting is done by secret ballot, with cardinals individually approaching Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgment to cast their folded votes into a chalice.

The process involves four voting sessions daily until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority. Three designated cardinals count the ballots aloud and record the results. If no candidate meets the threshold, the ballots are burned with chemicals that produce black smoke, signaling an inconclusive vote.

Once a cardinal achieves the required two-thirds, the Dean of the College of Cardinals asks if he accepts the papacy. Upon acceptance, he chooses a papal name, dons the traditional vestments, and prepares for his public appearance.

White smoke from the chapel chimney signals the successful election. The senior cardinal deacon—currently French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti—will then announce “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”) from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where the new pope will appear and offer his first blessing to Rome and the world.

Preparations at the Vatican are already underway. Curtains have been hung on the balcony where the new pontiff will appear, and a temporary chimney has been installed to release the signal smoke.

Nigeria’s Role in the Conclave

Cardinal Peter Okpaleke’s journey has been notable. Born March 1, 1963, in Amesi, Anambra State, he studied philosophy and theology at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Ikot-Ekpene and Enugu, and was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Awka in 1990. Despite earlier controversy surrounding his appointment as Bishop of Ahiara, he was eventually installed as Bishop of Ekwulobia. He also serves as Chairman of the Canon Law Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

Three other prominent Nigerian cardinals—Francis Arinze (92), Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (88), and John Onaiyekan (81) are above the age limit and therefore ineligible to vote.

Meanwhile, over 179 cardinals are currently in Rome, taking part in the 10th general congregation leading up to the Conclave.

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