Rev. Fr. Anthony Godono, spokesman for the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, announced Thursday that the process to elect a new pope continues today after Wednesday’s initial vote failed to produce a result.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, Fr. Godono emphasised that the election process remained seamless and deeply spiritual, guided by divine influence as expected in Catholic tradition.
According to him, it’s common for the first round not to yield a result. The 133 voting cardinals will cast ballots again this morning, with up to four voting sessions scheduled throughout the day until a decision is reached.
On Wednesday evening, black smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel signified that the first ballot did not produce a pope.
The cardinals had entered the chapel in a sacred procession, as hymns echoed and the doors were sealed, signalling the start of the papal conclave.
Fr. Godono reiterated that when a new pope is chosen, the world will know by the white smoke rising from the Vatican.
Shortly afterwards, the new pontiff is expected to make his first public appearance from the balcony.
He also noted the gravity of the choice facing the cardinal-electors: whether to continue the progressive legacy of the late Pope Francis, known for championing social justice and environmental stewardship, or to shift toward a more conservative path.
NAN reports that the process of selecting a new leader for the Catholic Church has kept millions across the globe in suspense following the passing of Pope Francis.
