THE election of the next pope will be announced by the joyous ringing of the bells of St Peter’s Basilica, as well as the traditional white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, a Vatican official said.
The bells ought to remove any doubt about the voting results, “so that journalists can be sure” that a new pope has been elected, Archbishop Piero Marini, who is master of papal liturgical ceremonies, said at a Vatican briefing on April 5.
Archbishop Marini outlined other changes in the conclave format, saying that the voting cardinals will be relatively free to move around inside Vatican City once the conclave has begun — as long as they get prior permission and do not encounter any outsiders.
He said the cardinals would vote in the Sistine Chapel; live in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican’s new residence building; and celebrate Masses in various chapels.
Archbishop Marini said the traditional white smoke would continue to signal the election of a pope, along with the ringing of the bells. Black smoke means a pope has not been elected.
CNS
