The secretive Vatican conclave process to elect the next pope officially began on Wednesday as Catholic cardinals gathered inside the Sistine Chapel and cast their first ballots. With alliances forming behind closed doors for weeks, all eyes are now on Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s powerful Secretary of State, who has emerged as the early favorite.
Parolin, seen by many as Pope Francis’ ideological successor, faces a divided College of Cardinals. The stakes are high as the Church braces for its future direction amid internal disputes and growing external scrutiny. His rivals include a group of cardinals pushing for a more conservative theological shift and those advocating a stronger stance on secularism and digital ethics.
Cardinals held a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica before entering the chapel and locking the doors behind them. From this point, they remain sequestered from the world until a new pope is chosen.
The first round of voting produced no white smoke, indicating that no candidate achieved the required two-thirds majority. Voting is expected to continue in multiple rounds over the coming days. The ballots are burned after each session, with chemicals added to produce black or white smoke, signaling whether a decision has been reached.
Tensions were visible in the days leading up to the conclave. Some factions within the Church have voiced opposition to Parolin’s potential papacy, citing his role in controversial diplomatic agreements with China and his handling of financial scandals. However, his deep institutional knowledge, loyalty to Pope Francis’ vision, and global diplomatic experience make him a formidable contender.
Other names circulating in Vatican corridors include Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, a more progressive figure; Cardinal Robert Sarah, favored by traditionalists; and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a Francis-era appointee with a strong base in Asia.
The role of so-called “kingmakers”, key cardinals capable of swinging blocs of votes, will be pivotal as the conclave progresses. Italian cardinals remain influential, but a growing number of Latin American, African, and Asian electors could tip the balance toward a more globally representative pope.
The conclave follows the death of Pope Francis in April, whose decade-long papacy was marked by both progressive reforms and intense backlash. The new pope will inherit a Church wrestling with declining attendance in Europe, explosive growth in the Global South, and pressing moral questions in a rapidly evolving world.
With no clear consensus yet, the conclave could last several days. Vatican watchers expect a decisive moment by the weekend, though no official timeline is ever guaranteed.
