The 133 cardinal electors participating in the conclave entered the Sistine Chapel yesterday, singing Veni Creator Spiritus. As they conducted their first vote – which resulted in black smoke – they were no doubt unable to avoid contemplating the highly damaging stream of revelations that have plagued the frontrunner to be the next pope, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The cardinals will be locked inside the chapel surrounded by Michelangelo’s astounding frescoes – incommunicado with the world but not with God – until two thirds of them coagulate around a single name. In the 13th century this process once took 1,006 days. But in the past 150 years the longest conclave has lasted five days. There was only one ballot yesterday but will be four on subsequent days.
A highly damaging series of revelations have plagued the frontrunner to be the next pope, Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Parolin – Secretary of State throughout the papacy of Pope Francis – remains the bookmakers’ favourite – despite the damning press coverage which it must be said many Italian media outlets have done their best to ignore.
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