Expected Cardinals Begin Seclusion To Elect New Pope
By: Olusegun Ajileye
Vatican City, Rome- Two Vatican hotels on Tuesday have been receiving the expected Cardinals that will take part in the secret conclave to elect a new Catholic pope.
They would be barred from having contact with the outside world as they decide who should succeed Pope Francis.
The assembly would start behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with all cardinals under the age of 80 able to vote on who should be the next leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.
Although a few names have been cited as possible front-runners, several of the 133 cardinals expected to vote in the conclave have said they do not know who will become the next pope.
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Some cardinals are looking for a new pope who will continue with Francis’ push for a more transparent, welcoming Church, while others are seeking retrenchment to more traditional roots that put a premium on doctrine.
During the conclave period, the voting cardinals would stay in two Vatican guest houses and take an oath to remain out of contact with anyone not participating in the secret vote.
