Black smoke: No papal decision made

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Two weeks after His Holiness Pope Benedict's final day in the papacy, the College of Cardinals is ready to begin the process by which they elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The 115 voting Cardinals from all across the world sequestered themselves behind locked doors in Vatican City's Sistine Chapel on Tuesday afternoon to begin the Papal conclave, one of the oldest election traditions of any institution in history.

In order to be elected pope, a Cardinal must receive at least 77 votes, or 3/4 of the vote, from the entire conclave. After each voting period, a puff of smoke is released from the Sistine Chapel's chimney; black smoke means no decision has been made, and white smoke means a new pope has been made.

Tuesday's conclave resulted in stream of black smoke, and voting will continue tomorrow.

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Providence's Bishop Tobin said he is "very excited" about the conclave, and that he has been "praying fervently" that the Holy Spirit will point the Cardinals in the right direction.

According to Bishop Tobin, the pope's job description involves being a great administrator; a pilgrim and a world traveler; someone with commitment to intense prayer and meditation; and someone who has the ability to choose greats bishops and make priests, nuns and the faithful members of the Catholic Church happy.

Who has all of these qualities?

Of the dozen or so Cardinals considered legitimate papal candidates, one of them is Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley . Father Joseph Escobar of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Providence, who once met with Pope Benedict during a visit in New York City, said the election of an American pope would be a surprise.

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"Just as His Holiness Benedict's retirement was a surprise, it would also be a surprise if they elected an American, because it hasn't happened in the history of the Church," Father Escobar said. "But I do think it could happen."

Father John C. Ozug says that Cardinal O'Malley is people person, and also speaks several languages which Ozug believes will help him with his chances in Rome.

“You never knew where Cardinal O’Malley, who was then Bishop O’Malley, was going to show up because he just loved to be with people,” he said.

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Father Escobar and Bishop Tobin both said they expect to see white smoke in the air no later than Friday..

Bishop Tobin also said he is thankful that, after centuries, this smoke tradition lives on.

"I find it fascinating and reassuring that in this age of technology...," said Bishop Tobin. "That the whole world will learn about the election of the new pope with a single puff of smoke."

The conclave will continue Wednesday, and Eyewitness News and WPRI.com will be continuing to update papal matters as they develop.