By Peter Omopo
Preparations are in full swing at the Vatican as 133 Catholic cardinals prepare to enter conclave on May 7 to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. On Friday, Vatican firefighters installed the iconic chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, a critical symbol in the papal election process.
The chimney, which will emit black or white smoke to signal the outcome of the secretive vote, was quietly set up above Michelangelo’s celebrated frescoes inside the 15th-century chapel, marking a key step toward the historic event.
The conclave, held behind locked doors within the Apostolic Palace, will feature only cardinals under the age of 80 — the group eligible to vote. While the meetings themselves remain confidential, cardinals of all ages have been gathering daily to reflect on the direction of the Catholic Church and the leadership challenges that await the next pontiff.
Among those considered strong contenders are Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, and Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana. However, the old Vatican adage — “He who enters the conclave a pope, leaves a cardinal” — remains a reminder of the unpredictability of the process.
Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez of El Salvador, reflecting on the mood among church leaders, said, “The Church is in prayer mode, but it must also put itself in surprise mode. Remember what happened with Pope Francis — what a surprise!”
In St. Peter’s Square, while the installation of the chimney may have gone unnoticed by many, the significance of the moment was not lost on pilgrims and tourists alike.
“It definitely is a historic moment and it definitely feels special to be in Rome,” said Glenn Atherton, a visitor from London. “It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
The conclave will continue until a new pope is elected, with white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney to announce to the world that a successor to Pope Francis has been chosen.
