THE HISTORIC SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE BEGINS ON 7TH OF MAY
With the final slab laid on Saturday to the tomb of Pope Francis’s emotive burial that drew rivers of tears in the eyes of the world in the penultimate week, the Vatican has unveiled the 7th of May as the ides of march when the conclave will begin – “the ancient ritual that will determine who next sits on the Rock of St. Peter.”
May 7, will clang the door of the Sistine Chapel open and tug the feet of 135 cardinals into its hallowed pews to begin the sacred process of choosing the next leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
For direction, the 135 men will rely on a chimney, and a 700-year -Old Procedure. It is inquisitive that in an age where men celebrate apps that bear prompt news, the Vatican clings to smoke signals, but it is this very traditional act that adds to the mystery of the conclave.
In a world of rigging of elections, the Church’s analog despotism feels fundamental and foul-proof. No rigging, no fake announcement of result by those eager to inherit power, only the white smoke will bring the original ‘breaking news’ notification.
As expected, the forthcoming conclave will hang between the Progressives who want another reformer of Pope Francis’ variety and the traditionalists who crave a ‘sequence correction.’ It is the Holy Spirit that will lead the 135 cardinals through a consensus of opinion to transform their unity of interest into a unity of purpose for the ecclesia. As we wait for the conclave to swing into action, we pray and hope that the new pope will also offer new hope to the poorest citizens of the world.
