Cardinal Ribat Casts Historic Vote in Search for New Pope

Cardinal Sir John Ribat voted for the first time on behalf of Catholics from PNG and Solomon Islands in the ongoing conclave to elect a new pope. The first round of voting did not yield a new pontiff, with additional rounds expected to follow. The anticipation among the faithful is palpable as deliberations continue in the Vatican.

Cardinal Sir John Ribat has made history by voting for the first time on behalf of Catholics in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Solomon Islands during the conclave tasked with electing a new pope. This significant event unfolded as 133 cardinals convened to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away earlier. Sir Ribat participated in the initial round of voting which took place yesterday, with expectations that a conclusion could be reached as soon as today. However, should the cardinals remain deadlocked, additional rounds of voting will take place tonight.

Catholics in PNG and across the globe are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the new pope, which is expected to happen in the upcoming days. The first round of voting did not result in the election of a new pope, leaving the cardinals to regroup and prepare for further discussions. Earlier in St. Peter’s Square, around 45,000 people had convened, anxiously expecting news after the initial ballot. The crowd’s wait extended until just after 9 PM on Wednesday evening when black smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel, announcing the inconclusive outcome of the first voting session.

Within the square, Deacon Nicholas Nkoronko from Tanzania highlighted the significance of prayer during this momentous occasion. He stated, “Our role here is to pray and to join with other Christians, other Catholics, to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the whole process.” While he acknowledged the global nature of the event, he emphasized the need for holiness in the new pontiff, noting, “Whether it’s Africa, Asia, America, what we need is we need a holy Pope.”

The voting cardinals, consisting solely of those under 80 and appointed by the Pope, continue their deliberations into the second voting session. The specific number of eligible voting cardinals can vary by conclave, and at present, there are 133. A papal conclave is traditionally a secretive affair, where the terms “conclave” originates from the Latin for “with a key,” indicating that the cardinals are locked in until a new pope is chosen.

This significant process takes place within the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals cast their votes until someone achieves a two-thirds majority. Once a candidate is selected, he will take on a papal name and be formally presented to the world, ushering in a new chapter for the Catholic Church.

In conclusion, Cardinal Sir John Ribat made history by voting on behalf of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands during the conclave to choose a new pope. As anticipation builds among Catholics globally, the voting continues with hopes of electing a new holy leader. While the first ballot has not succeeded, efforts remain underway and further rounds of voting are expected as the tradition unfolds.

Original Source: www.postcourier.com.pg