Vatican City, Vatican – Pope Francis don die at age 88, and dis one don set machinery wey go choose who go follow am as the next pope. As di events unfold, all eyes dey on di Sistine Chapel, where as many as 138 cardinals go gather to perform dis sacred duty.
Di conclave, wey dey synonymous with secrecy, go begin within 15 to 20 days after di pope death. Dis one fit take days or even weeks depend di number of votes wey go happen before dem fit reach two-thirds majority wey necessary to elect new pope. Di election go conclude once dem burn di ballots, releasing either white or black smoke – white smoke dey signify say dem don choose new pope, while black smoke mean say dem still dey joggle for di right candidate.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell na di camerlengo wey go run di show until new pope don emerge. As di new pope dey announced from di balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, di ceremony go carry emotional weight. We don see dis tradition dey follow for centuries, and many believers dey eager to see di next leader wey go highlight social justice and peace.
“We don watch as Francis open di way for better inclusivity, and dis new conclave fit reflect dat,” Bry Jensen, host of di podcast Pontifacts, tok. “E go be another historical moment if di next pope for di first time comes from Africa or Asia.”
Di diversity of di current College of Cardinals, with many wey Francis don appoint, dey increase di chance of another transformation within di Church leadership, with candidates from various regions being in di discussion. Prominent names include Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana, and Cardinal Luis Tagle from di Philippines, both known for their commitment to social justice.
As di conclave progresses, di entire world go dey on alert, waiting for di next sign of hope, leadership, and continuity in di Catholic Church.”
