The upcoming papal conclave has experts engaged in fervent discussion about the Catholic church’s sacred voting process will unfold
While some Vatican watchers suggest we could see a longer than usual conclave, others have signaled they think it will be short, like it has been during the last handful of times.
“Maximum three days,” predicted Salvadoran Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez. However, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, Germany, said he expects the conclave “won’t go as quickly as the last conclave.”
The the diversity of this year’s conclave
has also commanded attention, as well as the fact that many cardinals are unfamiliar with each other, which could lead to a lengthier vote than during recent conclaves of the past.
The vast majority of the 133 cardinal-electors will be participating in a conclave for the first time, according to Reuters, which noted around 80% of the participants were appointed by Pope Francis. Meanwhile, per the Religion News Service, this conclave’s College of Cardinals is the most geographically diverse in centuries.
“I wouldn’t panic if we don’t have a pope by the end of day two, but if there still isn’t any white smoke by the end of the third day, then we start to get worried,” said Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit priest and Vatican commentator.
Read the full article here
