Cardinal Domenico Calcagno and other non-voting cardinals offer their thoughts on the ongoing papal conclave, noting significant speeches and the importance of informal discussions among their peers.
Older Cardinals Reflect on Papal Selection Amidst Conclave Voting
Older Cardinals Reflect on Papal Selection Amidst Conclave Voting
As younger cardinals cast their votes for a new pope, older cardinals, though unable to vote, share insights on the conclave proceedings and potential candidates.
While the younger cardinals engage in the crucial process of electing a new pope, their elder counterparts, aged 80 and above, remain on the sidelines. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, at 82, expressed admiration for Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline from France, a contender for the papacy who captivated audiences with his speech delivered in impeccable Italian. Similarly, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, aged 65 and also in the running, was praised by Ravasi for his eloquent address.
Residing at the Casa Santa Marta during the conclave, the cardinals partake in daily discussions over meals, which Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, an 82-year-old Italian, highlighted as an invaluable opportunity to share views informally. He noted that the dynamics among the cardinals can shift dramatically when they gather, with candid exchanges often influencing the direction of their votes.
Voting occurs in a series of four rounds throughout the day until a candidate garners a two-thirds majority. The results of the ballots are marked by smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney—white for a new pope, black for a continuation without consensus. Calcagno referred to the first ballot as a “dress rehearsal” that lays the groundwork for subsequent votes, emphasizing that cardinals often reconsider their preferred candidates based on the initial outcomes.
As the arduous process unfolds without breaks between ballots, the cardinals converse and strategize, driving home the importance of their collective thoughts in this pivotal time for the Church. Casual evening gatherings at the guesthouse allow them to connect with peers from various countries, as they mentally prepare for the next day's proceedings. Cardinal Calcagno succinctly remarked, “You can meet cardinals from other nations, whom you hadn’t yet directly talked to, and get your thoughts straight.”
