Pope Benedict XVI resigned-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina has been elected

[BetteDavisEyes]

If it's black smoke after each of the first two ballots, things are tight; if it's black smoke after a third, anything could happen.

Scola breezes in first time around, that's my take.

Has a Pope ever been elected in the first round of voting?

 

[wfgodot]

Has a Pope ever been elected in the first round of voting?

Good question. Let me see what I can find.

 

[wfgodot]

Maybe not Scola first time 'round then!

The last pope to be named on the first ballot was Pope Gregory XIII in 1572.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/08/conclave-vatican-pope-cardinals/1972743/

In modern times the speediest conclave was the 20-hour-long one in 1939 in which Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli became Pope Pius XII after three ballots.

 

[Gardenlady]

We haven't talked papal names yet. Anyone have a thought on what name the new pope will choose? I've already mentioned that my wish would be for a Lando II . But that will never happen. So more realistically, I'm going to go with Leo, or John XXIV.

Other will-never-happens: Pius, Innocente (would provoke too much derisive laughter), Formosus (Formosus I was disinterred and his corpse was put on trial in the infamous Cadaver Synod... You can't make this stuff up.), and Peter.

 

[Gardenlady]

Of course, another hope is that we get a Latin American who would choose Oscar as his name and inspiration.

 

[wfgodot]

Pope Anthony. (Oddly, there's never been one and odd I say as St. Anthony is a Big Name in sainthood.) (Oh, my name is also Anthony but that doesn't figure into my suggestion at all of course cough-cough.)

Popes from religious orders:

Benedictines..17
Augustinians..6
Dominicans....4
Franciscans....4
Cistercians.....2

 

[Gardenlady]

Cistercians are too busy making good beer to be pope, I guess.

 

[wfgodot]

Rome braces for conclave crowd control challenge

ROME (AP) — You're expecting hundreds of thousands of guests. You don't know where they're coming from, or when they'll arrive. You don't even know the date of the celebration.

And heaven only knows the name of the man being feted.

Planning for the moment when the next pope is proclaimed to the world, and for the installation ceremony a few days later, is a big-time guessing game. And that adds up to an ungodly logistical headache for the city of Rome.
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the rest at the link above

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Depending on how long it takes to elect the new Pope, DH and I discussed papal names and came up with the following:

DH thinks that it might take until next Sunday, and the new Pope should have Patrick in his name.

I'm going with the Ides of March (15th), so I'm going with Julius as part of the Pope's name.

If voting lasts until March 19, then Joseph should be part of the papal moniker (feast of St. Joseph the Worker).

:angel:

 

[Veidt]

It wouldn't be the church without old, arcane traditions.

Wy do we bless throats with candles? Why do we kiss statues? Why do we bury St Joseph? Why do we bow when we are censed? Why do we get blessed to chalk to bless our homes with by writing a weird mathematical formula every three kings day? :crazy:

As bad a catholic as I am, I love the traditions. The world gets a little less magical every time an old tradition is lost - catholic or non catholic ones. Cell phones and the Internet are just not as mysterious or fun as watching the color of smoke from a chimney. :twocents:

Yes - I have lots of issues with the church being so conservative when it comes to important issues like homosexuality or contraception but the weird rituals I actually love. Just texting the results to major newspapers would not be as fun.

EDIT: Thanks by the way, to everyone who answered my questions about betting. Scola seems to have great odds everywhere, I guess I won't be making much if I bet.

 

[wfgodot]

---
While deliberations have been secret, there appear to be two big camps forming that have been at loggerheads in the run-up to the conclave.

One, dominated by the powerful Vatican bureaucracy called the Curia, is believed to be seeking a pope who will let it continue calling the shots as usual. The speculation is that the Curia is pushing the candidacy of Brazilian Odilo Scherer, who has close ties to the Curia and would be expected to name an Italian insider as Secretary of State - the Vatican No. 2 who runs day-to-day affairs at the Holy See.

Another camp, apparently spearheaded by American cardinals, is said to be pushing for a reform-minded pope with the strength to shake up the Curia, tarnished by infighting and the "Vatileaks" scandal in which retired Pope Benedict XVI's own butler leaked confidential documents to a journalist. These cardinals reportedly want Milan archbishop Angelo Scola as pope, as he is seen as having the clout to bring the Curia into line.
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more here: Before the conclave, horse-trading has begun (AP)

 

[michmi]

but the weird rituals I actually love.

Yup, this is the only time I say "Give me that old time religion!"

 

[Dark Knight]

Pope Dark Knight? Has a nice ring to it! :crazy:

 

[Nova]

Well, since it seems that anybody can just show up and pretend to be a cardinal, you've got MY vote, DK!

 

[Elley Mae]

Why do they need smoke signals in the days of the cell phone and the internet?

Because that;s the way they roll.

j/k

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

I just have to ask what might be a silly question but, for the life of me, I have no idea what the answer is.

Why is the appointing of a new pope significant to anyone other than Catholics? I am always so surprised at the media coverage this event generates.

 

[wfgodot]

I just have to ask what might be a silly question but, for the life of me, I have no idea what the answer is.

Why is the appointing of a new pope significant to anyone other than Catholics? I am always so surprised at the media coverage this event generates.

Because there are 1.2 billion Catholics in the world and the policies and politics of the Vatican indirectly affect billions more.

 

[Gardenlady]

It's a shared history too, I'm sure - before the reformation, and earlier, before the east/west split, there was just the one church. No matter your particular stripe of Christianity today, all comes from that original, undivided church.

Also, As an institution, the church has, for better and worse, had a huge influence on western society. If there were a similar, ancient institution that was non religious, it would probably garner just as much attention. I think royal-watchers are similar - like the church, their influence has waned, but in the past the monarchies had a huge influence on the society we live in today, and are still a source of fascination. I'm not British, and I'm not a huge royal-watcher or fan, but I certainly tuned in to William and Kate's wedding!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Forgive me for saying it, but the ritual traditions are the BEST thing about the Catholic Church. Its bureaucracy is corrupt, its politics are sexist and homophobic, and its dogma is often nonsensical.

Take away the incense (and black/white smoke), and what will be left?

(ETA despite the way it probably appears, this post is not a slam against the Church, but an acknowledgement of what it does best.)

ITA. The outward signs, symbols, and rituals are experienced by the congregation with the senses - seeing, hearing, smelling (i.e. incense), speaking (i.e. Litanies), touching (i.e. Rosary), doing (Stations of the Cross). When we participate in these rituals, we are totally involved and surrounded sensually by what is taking place and become active participants instead of observers. :moo:

 

[tezi]

I'd like to see a Pope John Paul III.