War And Peace. Black Smoke, White Smoke
Breakfast with Bwana
By Anil Madan
The election of a new Pope follows a traditional process within a papal conclave.After each vote, successful or unsuccessful, the ballots are burned. Black smoke signals that no Cardinal eligible to be Pontiff has secured a supermajority of votes cast — at least 89 of 133. A skilled translator of smoke signals will tell you that white smoke means “HabemusPapam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!” White smoke is generated by adding a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose, and a tree or bush resin called rosin.
By the time you read this, United States Cardinal Robert Prevost will have been elected the first US pontiff in the 2000-year history of the Catholic Church; he has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.
Regarding the voting system used to elect the new Pope, the results of the first ballot produced this:
Vatican Conclave – Black Smoke. Pic – WTOP
President Trump immediately declared: “The election is rigged.” He is blowing smoke, as usual.
There had been much speculation about whether the Cardinals in Conclave would elect a Pope who would continue to follow the course charted by Pope Francis or revert to a more conservative stance. Francis appointed 108 of the 133 Cardinals who participated in the vote, so it seems reasonable that they would not all, like sheep, have turned away from his inspiration.
The Pope is, of course, known as a voice calling for peace. Largely ineffective, but with a big microphone or a big miter (mitre in Brit English) anyway.Read More… Become a Subscriber
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 9 May 2025
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