St. Peter's Square is holding its breath waiting for the first smoke of the Conclave which, three hours after the Extra Omnes in the Sistine Chapel, is taking a while to arrive. It is impossible to know what is happening, since the entire process is under absolute secrecy, but it is certain that the times have been extended compared to those predicted by the Vatican Press Office, which had set the first outcome for around 7:00 p.m. The entire procedure could be delayed - the "Extra Omnes" was declared at 5:45 p.m. - but it is also possible, although less probable, that a Pope has already been elected and that the acceptance procedure and entry into the "Room of Tears" to don the white cassock and vestments for the first time has begun.
In the afternoon, after this morning's "pro eligendo" mass and the afternoon stop in the Pauline Chapel, the 133 cardinal electors (never so many) of the 267th successor of Peter reached in procession Michelangelo's masterpiece which has been the permanent seat of every Conclave since 1878.
Here, the singing of the “Veni Creator” and the invocation to the Holy Spirit . Then the oath , first collectively then individually one by one. Latin is the language spoken in the Sistine Chapel : hymns, prayers and oath, before the start of the conclave, are pronounced in the ancient language of the Church.
Around 5:45 pm the " Extra Omnes " announced by the Master of Ceremonies, Monsignor Diego Ravelli , the closing of the door and the official start of the Conclave, amid the applause of a packed St. Peter's Square. From this moment on, no connection between the cardinals and the outside world.
The tables covered with red drapes and brown tablecloths were arranged along the entire Sistine Chapel in four rows , slightly staggered, two on the right and two on the left.
Behind closed doors and away from the cameras, the cardinals listened to Cantalamessa's meditation at the end of which both he and the Master of Ceremonies left the Sistine Chapel. At that point the cardinal dean, who within the conclave is Pietro Parolin, asked the cardinals whether to proceed to the first scrutiny.
Then we moved on to the actual vote for the new Pope, for which the quorum was 89 votes, the highest in the history of conclaves.
THE FAVOURITES – The Italians, Pietro Parolin and Pierbattista Pizzaballa , enter as favorites, but the figure of Jean-Marc Aveline, the cardinal of Marseille , also stands out. A figure, this one, close to Matteo Zuppi , and it will be seen in the next few hours whether the wing most in continuity with Francis will decide to focus on one or the other. A man of the curia, Robert Francis Prevost , who in recent years has dealt with the delicate dicastery of bishops, is ascending.
For the most emerging Church, the Asian one, the names of the Filipino cardinals Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle and Pablo Virgilio Siongco David are repeated. And again: there is always the suggestion of the first African Pope with Fridolin Ambongo Besungu in pole position.
(Online Union)