'Everybody Out'

With the words "Extra omnes" spoken by Msgr. Guido Marini, master of papal liturgical ceremonies, the process of selecting a successor to St. Peter began. The world watched today as the 115 voting cardinals of the Catholic Church processed slowly into the Sistine Chapel to start the awaited conclave.         

Once in the chapel, the cardinals from 48 countries vowed that, if elected pope, they would faithfully fulfill the ministry of universal pastor of the church and would defend the rights and freedom of the Holy See. They also solemnly swore to scrupulously follow the rules for the election of a pope and keep secret the results of the votes, unless they have express permission from the new pope to reveal details. After reciting the oath together, each cardinal walked up to the Book of the Gospels, put his right hand on it, said his name and sealed his oath, “So help me God and these holy Gospels that I touch with my hand.”         

And that is all we know about the conclave (which adds a whole new meaning to the word "sequester"), except that a round of voting did occur without the required majority to elect a new pope. Early this evening, black smoke appeared from the chimney installed in the chapel to let the world know that it did not as yet, have a pope. The cardinals remain together in modest accommodations provided within the chapel, totally cut off from the outside world until the work of the conclave is finished and a successor to Peter is selected.      

The voting process begins again tomorrow. Usually there are two votes in the morning and one vote in the afternoon, until a new pope is elected. There is no time limit on the conclave. Interestingly, of the 115 cardinals in the conclave, 67 are there for the first time to carry out this awesome responsibility. The majority needed for the selection of a new pope is 77 votes.     

When I heard black smoke was seen tonight from the chimney, I was reminded of Cardinal Dolan's comments on the day he left for Rome. When asked about his chances to be selected pope, Cardinal Dolan replied "When you see the black smoke, that's my name!"       

And so we wait.