Conclave Day One

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It's here. Today is the day that the conclave begins. At 5:30pm local time the cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel and vote in the first ballot. There is no clear favourite to succeed Francis so we can be pretty sure that Their Eminences will have to return tomorrow. 

In 2005 and 2013, Joseph Ratzinger and Jorge Mario Bergoglio were both elected on the second day. Could we see the same thing happen tomorrow? 

It's an interesting question because while Ratzinger was the clear favourite in 2005, meaning a quick end to the conclave was not a surprise, Bergoglio was certainly not in 2013. Therefore, the lack of a favourite in 2025 doesn't necessarily mean that this conclave will last three or more days.

By the way, if you'd like to read more about the 2005 and 2013 conclaves, you can do so on Wikipedia here for 2005, and here for 2013. 

In the meantime, while the lead up to this conclave has been really exciting, I have to admit I will be glad when it is all over. Over the last few days, I have become a little concerned that I've let myself be distracted by it, especially in terms of my prayers. The cardinals need our prayers, of course, but so do the poor, marginalised, those in prison etc. I am probably being a little too harsh on myself but nevertheless, I will be happy when we have our new pope.