The conclave, the secret election of a new pope, could begin as early as May 5, according to the ritual calendar adopted during the cardinal congregation. However, the date will be officially confirmed only after the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26.
The Holy See’s Press Office announced that during the April 23 meeting of the congregation—an assembly of cardinals—it was decided that the novendial, the nine-day mourning period for the pope, will be observed from the day of the funeral until May 4, Caliber.Az reports, referencing foreign press.
The first ritual will take place on the day of the funeral and will continue daily in St. Peter’s Basilica. Each day, the services will be led by different cardinals and will include representatives from various branches of the Roman Catholic Church.
As of now, 103 cardinals are participating in the congregation, which oversees current affairs during the period of the vacant Apostolic See, the Press Office said. Additional church leaders are expected to arrive in Vatican City in the coming days.
The College of Cardinals currently consists of 252 members. Of these, 135 are under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote in the conclave. Each of these electors is also considered a potential candidate for the papacy. The conclave will be held in the Sistine Chapel, with four votes cast each day. A two-thirds majority is required to elect the new pope. The election of the new head of the Roman Catholic Church will be signalled by white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, visible from St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, passed away on April 21 at the age of 89 following a stroke that led to a coma and cardiac arrest. His farewell ceremonies are being held at St. Peter’s Basilica. In accordance with his will, he will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. A week of national mourning has been declared in his native Argentina.
By Tamilla Hasanova
Source: caliber.az
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