As the cardinal conclave enters its second day, anticipation grows within the Catholic community and beyond for the election of a new pope. The first voting session concluded with black smoke, indicating that no consensus had been reached among the cardinals . The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, employs high-tech measures to ensure confidentiality during this critical decision-making process . With a diverse assembly of cardinals from over 70 countries, differing perspectives on papal direction emerge—some advocating for continuity with Pope Francis' reforms while others favor a return to traditional values .
In this sense, it’s clearly not Joaquin Lopez’s first rodeo. The Spanish telecoms engineer is used to lengthy religious gatherings, having waited for six hours at Semana Santa — Spain’s Holy Week — last month.
Down at the very front of St. Peter’s Square, he proudly shows off his top conclave hack: a folding, telescopic stool. These are common in his native Spain because of municipal laws banning portable backed chairs at such events.
An estimated 45,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square to await the results of the first conclave vote, which had been expected some time after 7 p.m. but ended up coming in around 9 p.m., according to Vatican News.
After failing to come to a consensus, the College of Cardinals have gathered on Thursday morning for the second day of conclave, with up to four more opportunities for them to select the 267th pope.
During twice-daily pre-conclave meetings in the run-up to the vote, the cardinals shared their visions on the future of the Catholic church and discussed issues including evangelisation, the Vatican’s finances, clerical sexual abuse, war and service to the poor and migrants.
But one topic missing from the agenda was the role of women in the church, something that Francis was keen to promote, even if he repeatedly said women could never become priests.
On this second day, voting will continue up to four times daily until a two-thirds majority is achieved . Historically, conclaves have varied in duration; while some have concluded within two days, others have extended much longer . As observers await further smoke signals around noon and evening today, the world remains keenly focused on the deliberations shaping the future of the Catholic Church.
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