Vatican Conclave commences as 133 Cardinals gather to elect a new Pope, Chaldean Patriarch Mar Louis Sako among them

VATICAN CITY — In a ceremony steeped in centuries-old tradition, 133 cardinals assembled this morning in the heart of Vatican City to begin the conclave to elect a new pope, following the death of Pope Francis last month. The sacred process, which has determined the future leader of the Catholic Church for generations, unfolded amid an atmosphere of solemn prayer and historical ritual as the cardinals sought divine guidance in choosing their successor. 

The day began with a solemn Mass celebrated at St. Peter’s Basilica. United in prayer, the cardinals invoked the inspiration necessary to select “the Supreme Pontiff,” serving as a powerful reaffirmation of the Church’s enduring commitment to faith and service. Shortly thereafter, the officials made their way to the Sistine Chapel—a hallowed space now sealed off and rendered completely devoid of any cellular signals, ensuring that the conclave proceeds in absolute privacy. 

Voting is slated to begin shortly after noon. In accordance with longstanding protocol, any candidate who secures more than two-thirds of the votes in the initial round will be immediately declared the new pope. If no candidate achieves this supermajority, the process will continue into additional rounds on Thursday, with up to four rounds of voting possible as the cardinals deliberate to achieve consensus. 

While several speculative names have been mentioned in murmurs among observers—such as Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the less-cited Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, along with figures like Cardinal Mario Grech, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the Archbishop of Marseille—the race to succeed Pope Francis remains exceptionally open. Many insiders caution that until the final ballot is cast, the identity of the next pope remains shrouded in mystery. 

Additional notable developments include the presence of Patriarch Louis Dako at the conclave, lending his weight and spiritual authority to the proceedings. In contrast, Patriarch Bechara al Rai is absent from the gathering due to exceeding the customary age limit of 80 years for active participation. Furthermore, it is clarified that Patriarch Yusuf Yaunan, a leading figure among the Syriac Catholics, is not one of the cardinals and thus is not involved in the voting process. 

A Vatican spokesperson remarked that the conclave reaffirms the Church’s unwavering commitment to prayer and divine inspiration. “This sacred process, rich in tradition, calls upon us to reflect on our responsibility to guide millions of faithful around the world,” the spokesperson said, underlining the gravity of the decision at hand. 

As the conclave continues behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, the world watches with bated breath. The election of a new pope is not merely an internal ecclesiastical affair; it is an event that resonates profoundly on the global stage and promises to shape the Catholic Church’s future trajectory in an increasingly complex world.