VATICAN CITY — As the Vatican prepares for a new conclave to select a successor to Pope Francis, significant preparations were underway, notably the installation of the iconic chimney on the Sistine Chapel. This chimney will signal the decision-making process during the conclave scheduled for May 7.
Vatican firefighters undertook the crucial task of setting up the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. This step marks an essential phase in the preparations. The chimney’s role is pivotal: it signals to the world the results of the secretive voting process undertaken by the cardinals inside. Following tradition, after every two rounds of voting, ballots are incinerated. If the cardinals reach a consensus and select a pope, the ballots are burned with chemicals that produce a visible white smoke. Conversely, if no agreement is reached, a different mix of chemicals is used to generate black smoke, signifying the absence of a decision.
The last instance of white smoke occurred on March 13, 2013, when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis. He was historic in his own right, being the first pontiff from Latin America. Pope Francis passed away recently, at the age of 88 on April 21, prompting this current electoral process.
As the installation of the chimney was underway, cardinals gathered in the Vatican for pre-conclave discussions. These sessions involve both voting members and non-voting cardinals over the age of 80, who will not participate in the final conclave vote but are nonetheless essential to broader church consultations.
On the agenda were critical issues concerning the future direction of the Catholic Church and considerations about the characteristics desired in a new pope. Discussion topics included the Vatican’s financial challenges and a review of Pope Francis’ tenure. Known for his focus on social issues, Francis was a polarizing figure, with praise from some quarters and criticism from traditionalists who wished for more clarity on doctrinal matters.
Beniamino Stella, a cardinal who led the Vatican office for clergy before retiring in 2021, spoke at the sessions. He shared his concerns about reforms initiated by Pope Francis, specifically those enabling lay people, including women, to lead key Vatican offices. A 2022 Vatican constitution introduced these changes aiming for a more efficient and service-oriented Holy See. Though some praised these reforms, others, including Stella, expressed reservations about detaching governance roles from the traditionally male clergy.
Under Francis’ initiative, laymen and nuns were appointed to significant Vatican posts. For instance, Sister Simona Brambilla and Sister Raffaella Petrini were assigned crucial roles, overseeing Catholic religious orders worldwide and managing Vatican City’s administration, respectively. Such appointments reflect Francis’ commitment to increasing women’s influence in church governance, against traditional clerical norms.
However, it’s uncertain how much sway non-voting cardinals like Stella will exert on the conclave’s younger electors. Conservative cardinals have emphasized the need for church unity rather than extending Francis’s reformist agenda. Cardinal Fernando Filoni, a prominent figure from the Vatican’s evangelization office, underscored the importance of unity as a primary goal for the new pope.
Representing diverse perspectives, such as that of Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib from Chile, enriches these discussions. Newly inducted as a cardinal after dealing with significant challenges in Chile, including addressing clerical abuse scandals, Chomali expressed appreciation for the diversity of views contributing to the young leadership of the church.