Cardinals Gather In Vatican City As Conclave To Elect New Pope Begins

The Vatican is abuzz as the conclave to elect a new pope begins today (May 7). Cardinals from around the world have gathered in Vatican City to select a successor to Pope Francis, who recently passed away. This conclave marks the largest gathering of cardinal electors to date, with 133 cardinals participating in the process.

The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, is a highly secretive event where cardinals are sworn to secrecy and refrain from using electronic devices. The selection process requires a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope, and if no decision is reached after 34 ballots, the choice will be narrowed down to the two candidates with the most votes.

According to NBC News, Vatican experts have noted that no clear favorite has emerged, making the outcome unpredictable. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomat, has been mentioned as a potential frontrunner, but the conclave's unpredictable nature leaves room for surprises.

The conclave has drawn attention from around the world, with pilgrims and tourists gathering in St. Peter's Square to witness the historic event. The traditional signal of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney will announce the election of a new pope, while black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote.

After the first vote, the cardinals burned their ballots, and thick black smoke rose from the chimney at the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals then retired for the night and will resume deliberations on Thursday.

As the conclave unfolds, the world waits in anticipation for the announcement of the new pope, who will guide the Catholic Church into the future.