To be elected Pope, a candidate must secure two-thirds of the votes from the cardinals.
Faithful have gathered in St. Peter’s Square, awaiting the color of the smoke that will emerge from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel: black smoke indicates that a Pope has not yet been elected, while white smoke announces the election.
Only one voting round is expected today, while from tomorrow, up to four rounds can be held daily.
The cardinals have entered the Sistine Chapel to take the Conclave oath and ensure the secrecy of the process. Once the doors are closed, they will no longer have contact with the outside world. The result of the first vote is expected to be revealed around 8:00 PM through the smoke.
This Conclave is the largest and most unpredictable of the modern era, with possible names such as Pietro Parolin, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Luis Tagle. However, nothing is certain, as the process could conclude faster than anticipated.
The election may take two to three days, depending on how quickly a consensus is reached. The Conclave always attracts significant public attention due to the mystery and symbolism that surround it.
