On March 12 at 7am the Papal Conclave will start at the Vatican City in search for the replacement of the former Pope and now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI or known as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger of Germany. Benedict XVI ended his term last February 28 and now residing temporarily at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. He resigned due to the reason that he can no longer perform his duty at the leader of the Roman Catholic Church due to lack of strength of mind and body because of his advance age. With this, 115 Cardinals were asked to fly to Vatican to give their respect to the resigned Pope and to join the Papal Conclave that will happen on March 12.
As of today (March 11) the Cardinals joining the conclave tomorrow are now already talking, some of them were signed up to speak in that closed-door session. Meanwhile on March 12, after the prayer all the cardinals who will be joining the election will be will be on procession going to the Sistine Chapel in the afternoon where they will be sequestered and will start their election for the new Pontiff.
With the 115 cardinals joining the election for the new Pope there are already 28 Italian Cardinals alone joining the conclave. There are 32 from other part of Europe, 20 from North America, 13 from South America, 11 from Africa and 11 from Asia and Oceania which one of them a possible contender for Papacy from the Philippines named Cardinal Antonio Luis Tangle.
The world waits on the smoke that will come out on the chimney that will signify if the cardinals has already elected a Pope; white smoke means there’s already a new Pontiff and black no decision yet. The Roman Catholic Church hopes to welcome the new Pope that will be the successor of Benedict XVI before the Holy Week that is very important to the community of the faithful.
