I've been up since 3:45 am (EDT). Just to watch a chimney! I think the dominant question this morning in the conclave is the Ratzinger question: will they want him as Pope, or not? We will probably never know the course of the voting, but the key indicator is the shift in numbers for Card. Ratzinger from the first to the second balloting today. If his numbers go up, then his candidacy is strong; if down, his candidacy is over, and the Ratzinger--George--Arinze axis looks for a compromise candidate.
Mark a place.
Can't say for sure if I can hang in for the morning vote.
Lunch time for them at Noon, one whole hour away.
Pick a pontiff...your new game show brought to you by Merf Griffin....
They're probably all in there playing poker.
So, 3 ballots inconclusive. What might this mean? My .02: This means the end of the Ratzinger option, who was not able to reach 77 votes. So now we move to a consensus candidate, acceptable to the conservatives and to another smaller coalition/ group. My hunch is still with Card. Bergoglio of Buenos Aires.
Black smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, indicating no decision has been made after the second vote for the election of a new pope, April 19, 2005. Cardinals sequestered in a secret conclave in the majestic Sistine Chapel began a second day of voting for a new pope on Tuesday after an initial ballot failed to find a successor to John Paul. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen