This morning we again saw black smoke. Thus, there have been 3 votes so far that were inconclusive. and so we continue to wait. As I mentioned previously, the smoke appears twice a day at around noon and again around 7:00 pm Rome time. there are of course 4 votes taken each day, 2 sets of 2 votes. the smoke appears after the second vote of each section unless a pope is chosen during the first round. based on Missouri time, it looks something like this: -4:30am CST (if it is white) -6:00am CST (white or black) -11:30am CST (if it is white) -1:00pm CST (white or black) In the meantime, here was an interesting article on the smoke from the Vatican Information Service: HOW THE WHITE AND BLACK “FUMATE” ARE PRODUCED The full splendor of the Catholic Church was on display today as the Conclave began. As we know now, the first vote resulted in black smoke (no Pope), but that was expected. So now we move into the second day of the Conclave and anxiously await the decision. If you were not able to watch the Cardinals process into the Sistine Chapel, I have embedded it below and you can also view it on my video page or on the Vatican website. It is a beautiful ceremony and well worth the time to watch. Let us continue to pray for our Holy Mother Church. Today is the day, and so the Conclave begins. The Cardinals are swearing in as I write this. In fact it is the Cardinal Bishops that are swearing in right now. Very Exciting!! You will note that the oaths are taken individually showing the gravity of the situation. You can of course follow this live on EWTN, and if you don't have access to a television, you can follow the live stream on your computer. The link is on their website and you can find it HERE. In case you, like I, have trouble trying to remember the time difference to Rome, I have placed a clock with Rome time on the front page and on the sidebar of my blog just to the right. Now for the smoke signals, they will occur twice a day according to the press release, unless, of course, we have a new pope: Since there are two votes each morning and afternoon, Fr. Lombardi stated that the 'fumata' (smoke signalling the election or non-election of a pontiff) that is produced from the burning of the ballots from those two voting processes could be expected around 12:00pm, in the case of the morning, or 7:00pm, in the case of the evening, unless the first of the two votes produces an election. In such an instance, the “fumata” would obviously take place earlier. Let us continue in earnest to pray for the Cardinal Electors as they select, under the Guidance of the Holy Spirit, our new Roman Pontiff.
O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. one God, for ever and ever. Amen. *From the Collect of the Mass for the election of a Pope or Bishop, Roman Missal, 3rd edition. While probably not likely, here's a happy thought... Picture "borrowed" from The Eponymous Flower. Thanks.
Directly from Vatican City via the Vatican News Service...
Vatican City, 8 March 2013 (VIS) – The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals has decided that the Conclave will begin on Tuesday, 12 March 2013. A “pro eligendo Romano Pontifice” Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica that morning. In the afternoon, the cardinals will enter into the Conclave. Fr. Lombardi indicated during the press briefing today that the date of the beginning of the Conclave may be announced this evening, at 7 p.m. Rome time. (1 pm New York/10 am Los Angeles) It would probably be early next week. The Cardinals meeting in General Congregation will vote on the matter in the afternoon/evening meeting. There are now, officially, 115 Electors. 77 are going to required to elect a new Pope. By the way, here is a short video clip on the preparation of the Sistine Chapel for the conclave. Very cool to watch AND it’s short! |
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AuthorI am a Roman Catholic Priest for the Diocese of Colorado Springs. I am currently assigned to St. Dominic Catholic Church in Security, CO. Follow me on Facebook by clicking on "Follow this blog" below.
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