The Vatican is set to host a conclave starting May 7, with 133 cardinals eligible to vote for the successor of Pope Francis. This number was confirmed after two cardinals announced their absence due to health reasons, as stated by Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni. The conclave, a sacred and secretive process, will take place in the Sistine Chapel, marking a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church.
The reduction in the number of electors comes as the Spanish Archbishop Emeritus Antonio Cañizares and Bosnian Cardinal Vinko Puljic have indicated their inability to participate. The College of Cardinals, which totals 252 members, sees only those under 80 years of age eligible to vote, initially numbering 135. The absence of two electors narrows the field to 133, setting the stage for a conclave that many anticipate will be brief, possibly concluding within two to three days.
The conclave's first day will begin with the 'Pro Eligendo Pontifice' Mass at 10:00 local time, followed by a procession of the cardinals to the Sistine Chapel in the afternoon. Dressed in their red vestments, the cardinals will sing the Litany of the Saints and the 'Veni Creator' before taking the prescribed oath. The conclave's formal proceedings will commence with the first ballot, with subsequent votes scheduled for each morning and evening until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority.
This gathering of cardinals from around the world underscores the global nature of the Catholic Church and the universal interest in the selection of its next leader. As the conclave approaches, the focus remains on the spiritual and procedural aspects of electing a pope, a process steeped in tradition and faith. The outcome will not only determine the next pontiff but also signal the direction the Church may take in the coming years.
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