Black smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, indicating that the papal conclave had taken place but the cardinals had yet to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority to elect a new pope. This outcome was anticipated, as the initial vote serves primarily to gauge the support levels among the cardinals rather than to signal a likely election.
The conclave’s first ballot is crucial for assessing the landscape of potential candidates. Ahead of the voting, Cardinals Pietro Parolin and Luis Antonio Tagle are regarded as leading contenders. Their familiarity with many of the voting cardinals—brought together from varying backgrounds around the world—affords them a distinct advantage. Parolin and Tagle currently hold significant positions within the Vatican, facilitating their interactions with more cardinals and enhancing their visibility.
Additionally, during the Mass preceding the vote, an interesting moment occurred between Cardinal Parolin and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, where Re offered an embrace and expressed “double good wishes.” This gesture can be interpreted in various ways, possibly signifying both support for Parolin’s role in overseeing the conclave and goodwill regarding his candidacy.
As the conclave progresses, the anticipation surrounding the potential candidates illustrates not only the complexities of the election but also the importance of relationships among the cardinals as they seek to find common ground in choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church. The ongoing proceedings and the interactions among the cardinals could lead to a hopeful consensus in the coming days.