Electing a new Pope. The Conclave begins …

NotSpaghetti

The discussion is possibly "do we want a skilled administrator and leader" or "do we want someone to follow in Pope Francis' path".

So many are new and so I expect they will go for someone more experienced.
I'd rather a radical, personally.

On the ‘What sort of Pope do we want?’ train of thought, Cardinal Vincent Nichols pointed out the other day that the next Pope will be a successor to Peter rather than Pope Francis. The question under consideration is who will lead the RC church best for these times?

I too would prefer a radical, but I don’t have a say obviously.

3 hours lunch? Of course, it’s Italy after all.

What sort of Pope do Catholics want ?

Anniebach

What sort of Pope do Catholics want ?

I'd prefer a Pope who was much like Pope Francis. Forgiving, empathetic, kind, compassionate, with an eye to the poor, disadvantaged.

Yesterday mass was prayed for a timely decision of the Holy Spirit. I'm not sure what timely involves, but I'm praying the same.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Day 2

The first conclave yesterday evening came to no decision, as was widely expected due to the tight race. The new pontiff must secure a two-thirds majority.

After waiting longer than anticipated, tens of thousands of faithful watched as black smoke billowed from the chapel’s chimney, signalling that the 133 cardinals had failed to elect Pope Francis’s successor.

I was bemused as to how much camera footage was devoted to shots of a thin metal chimney with a gull next to it giving itself a wash and brush up.
The presenter getting desperate for something else to say actually said , there it is, the thin metal chimney with a little cap on the top.😄
It could take ages for the 133 Cardinals to agree on just one of them getting 89 votes!

I’m not convinced the Holy Spirit is involved in the choosing of a new Pope? It’s the top job that all the Cardinals want and there’s bound to be insider politics at play.
Think of some of the horrible Popes chosen in history.

Quote Norah Thu 08-May-25 13:55:47
Anniebach
What sort of Pope do Catholics want ?
I'd prefer a Pope who was much like Pope Francis. Forgiving, empathetic, kind, compassionate, with an eye to the poor, disadvantaged.

Yesterday mass was prayed for a timely decision of the Holy Spirit. I'm not sure what timely involves, but I'm praying the same.

Thank you Norah,i will” join you in pray

Are the cardinals told how the voting went on each round?

escaped

That makes good sense, I didn't know they got to "sell themselves" or explain their mission.
Yes, fascinating!
And why do they need 3 hours for lunch before the next round of voting?

One good reason for a three hour break is that many of them are from countries that hold a two to three hour siesta. Another is that they are all mature or old men.

The majority are also pious men, concerned with what is God's will, so I presume that part of the three hour break is used by many if not by them all for prayer and meditation.

I am not a believer, but as the pope is such an influence in the world I just hope that they pick someone with current views that reflect the modern world. The previous seemed like a nice old man but he still had very old fashioned ideas in some respects. The new pope should accept that women do have a role in today's church, priests are just men and should be able to marry like any other man and he should acknowledge the destruction caused to so many lives by the corrupt,devious priests/nuns who abused so many children. Only by accepting that the world has changed can they really be relevant in today's world.

Change in the Catholic church will always happen slowly, but Pope Francis did have a more positive attitude to the degree one could be involved - first steps.

I would be very concerned if they turn the clock back on that and on gay marriage blessings. It was Francis who brought in

"The Vatican offered a narrow set of conditions under which a priest or deacon could give a blessing to a same-sex or other unmarried couple, making it clear the church does not consider their unions a marriage but also recognizing how anyone can ask for a blessing when they are seeking God's assistance, mercy and grace".

correct - the degree women could be involved.

I’m with you missdeke I pray that they choose someone who will admit, denounce and positively address the sin of child abuse within the their number. I make no distinction between the Catholic faith and any other but will applaud the first religious leader that will stand up and do the right thing. Please 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

And ends!

The cardinals need three (I thought it was 4) hours break because most of them are elderly and need their afternoon nap!

I have just watched the film Conclave. What a twist at the end! I wonder what the real Cardinals thought of it? I read that some had watched it and possibly the new Pope.