The College of Cardinals meets today in Conclave to select the next Pope. The Conclave is a mysterious and secret meeting that can be full of intrigue.
The 115 Princes of the Church imposed a media blackout before the Conclave began to avoid any speculation on favorites. The Sistine Chapel has been sealed off from the world and the Cardinals will be sequestered in a hotel within the Vatican grounds. The Sistine Chapel, where the meetings take place, has been outfitted with electronic devices that can block cell phones and other devices.
Leading the Conclave will be the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Cardinal Ratzinger, a German, is a leading "contender" for the papacy.
Under the rules implemented by Pope John Paul II, only Cardinals under the age of 80 will be eligible to vote. Each day in Conclave there will be two votes in the morning and two votes in the afternoon. A two-thirds majority is needed for election. Following each round of voting the ballots will be mixed with chemicals and burned. If no Pope is elected, the ballots will burn with a black smoke.
If a Pope is not selected after 3 days, the cardinals will take a day off for prayer and reflection. When they reconvene, Cardinal Ratzinger may address the Conclave and "encourage" the cardinals to look for a "compromise" candidate.
If, after 15 days, a Pope has not been elected, a simple majority is all that is necessary for election. If the Conclave goes that long, a compromise candidate is surely to become Pope.
Following election, the Senior Deacon of the College of Cardinals, Jorge Cardinal Medina Estevez will announce to the world, Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum! Habemus Papam! ("I announce to you a great joy! We have a Pope!").
One of the major questions for this Conclave is "Where do we go for our new Pope?" Speculation is that the new Pope will be a conservative much like John Paul II. Others close to the College of Cardinals speculate that a liberal candidate may emerge.
Many US Catholics are seeking a Pope that will allow changes in the priesthood. These changes include ordaining women and married men into the priesthood. If allowed, it would help the growing shortage of priests in the United States.
No matter who becomes Pope, it is unlikely that he will make any changes in the church's teachings and dogma on abortion, homosexuality, and the death penalty.
Until the College of Cardinals elects a new Pope, any thoughts of change for the Church and it 1.1 billion members is strictly speculation.
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