Cardinals celebrate big fair in front of the conclave

In the Vatican, cardinals from all over the world have come together for the last big fair before the start of the election of the new Pope. The service « Pro eligendo Romano Pontefice » (« On the election of the Roman Pontifex ») in St. Peter’s Basis is headed by the dean of the Cardinal College, the Italian Giovanni Battista Re. The 91-year-old is no longer there in the conclave that begins in the afternoon. Only cardinals under 80 are allowed to choose.

The decision on the successor of the Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, is then in the hands of 133 cardinals, which strictly isolated from the outside world in the Sistine chapel. The election committee is more large and more international than ever. The first ballot takes place in the afternoon.

Nobody expects to make a decision on Wednesday

Afterwards – probably around 7 p.m. – rises from the fireplace on the roof of the chapel. In any case, it will be black. A quick decision is not expected. When the time comes, the smoke is white. A two -thirds majority is required for the election to the Pontifex – the 267th Pope in two thousands of church history. There are 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

The previous number two of the Catholic Church State, Cardinal State Secretary Pietro parolin, act as a favorite. The 70-year-old also heads the conclave as the highest cardinal. The lists with possible Francis successors recently became longer from day to day.