CBCP exec on no pope elected in 1st conclave round: Nagpapakiramdaman pa

An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Thursday said cardinal electors are still on the stage of feeling each other out, the reason they failed to decide on the new pope on the first evening of the conclave.

CBCP director for broadcast Fr. Francis Lucas said no pope has been elected on first round of a conclave since Pope Pius XII, who headed the Catholic Church in 1939.

“Mula nang inabutan kong papa si Pope Pius XII hanggang kay Pope Francis, wala pa 'yung first day,” Lucas told Unang Balita in an interview.

(From the time of Pope Pius XII to Pope Francis, no pope has been elected on the first day.)

“Ang karaniwang dahilan diyan bagamat naguusap-usap sila, 12 congregation 'yan, di ba, 'yung pagpupulong-pulong, at nakilala nila ang isa’t isa, at dahil sa mga pangyayari sa daigdig at simbahan, nagpapakiramdam pa sa unang pagboto. Kinikilala pa, ‘Ah 'yun pala ang naiboto,’” he added.

(The common reason is that even though they are talking to each other, there are 12 congregations, in the gatherings, they are still getting to know each other, and with what’s happening in the world and the church, they are still feeling each other out. They are learning, “Ah, they were voting for them.”)

After the first round of the conclave, Lucas said cardinal electors will have more time to think and discuss their votes during other activities before the next round.

Citing the previous conclaves, Lucas said it is unlikely that a new pope will be elected in the second round but it is possible in the third round.

Black smoke (fumata nera) emanated early Thursday morning (PH time) from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel as no new pontiff was elected as successor of late Pope Francis during the first round of the conclave.

At around 3 a.m. (PH time), the black smoke started billowing out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

The election of a new pope will need a two-thirds majority. With 133 in the room, 89 cardinals must write one name on their secret ballot papers.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News