Following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the Catholic Church is preparing for the conclave to elect a new pope. Pope Francis, who passed away at age 88, had served as the leader of the Church for over a decade. His funeral will take place on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, drawing cardinals from around the world to Rome.
The Conclave, a centuries-old tradition, will see 252 cardinals gather, with about 135 eligible to vote for the new pope. This process, steeped in secrecy, will occur in the Sistine Chapel under Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling. The cardinals will remain isolated from the outside world, swearing an oath of silence and having no contact until a new pope is chosen.
California, however, will not have a cardinal present to vote at the Conclave. Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, 89, participated in the last Conclave that elected Pope Francis. However, he can not participate in this Conclave because under Canon Law only Cardinals under the age of 80 can vote. Cardinal Mahony will be in attendance at the gathering, participating in general congregations, meetings, public masses and the mass eith all the Cardinals that precedes the beginning of the Conclave.
Archbishop José H. Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is unable to participate because he is not a cardinal.
The election process could lead to a diverse range of candidates, with speculation about a possible African or Asian pope, reflecting the Church’s global reach. Cardinal Parolin of Italy, Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines, and Cardinal Ambongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo are among the names mentioned as potential successors. Each candidate brings a unique perspective, with varying views on issues like diplomacy, social justice, and Church doctrine.
The conclave is expected to begin 15 to 20 days after Pope Francis’s death, with cardinals voting until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. The world will watch for the smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel, indicating whether a decision has been reached. Until then, the Catholic community awaits the announcement of a new leader who will guide the Church’s 1.4 billion members.
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