Schwarzer Rauch – kein neuer Papst gewählt - Blick

Papal Conclave Update

The article covers the initial stages of the papal conclave held to elect the successor to Pope Francis. Black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel, indicating that no candidate received the required two-thirds majority in the first round of voting.

Key Events

The process began with a Holy Mass followed by the formal commencement of voting, during which each Cardinal swore an oath of secrecy and fidelity.

• The ceremony involved the participation of two Swiss Cardinals, Kurt Koch and Emil Paul Tscherrig, who took their oaths.
• The use of black smoke to indicate no election and the burning of ballots after each round were noted.

Several potential candidates were identified, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Luis Tagle, Cardinal Mario Grech, and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

Prominent Candidates

• Cardinal Pietro Parolin: Served as the 'number two' in the Vatican under Pope Francis.
• Cardinal Luis Tagle: Represents the Church in Asia.
• Cardinal Mario Grech: Oversaw Pope Francis' synodal reform process.
• Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa: Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The conclave is set to continue with further rounds of voting the following day.