Cardinals begin choosing Pope Francis’ successor as speculations set in

Rome: Catholic cardinals from all over the world will begin casting their vote on Wednesday afternoon to elect a new pope, The Guardian reported.

The outcome of the process has already been dubbed most unpredictable, with the archbishop of Jakarta, Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, saying ‘There’s a lot of confusion’.

Pope Francis died last month at age 88 leaving behind a legacy of promoting a progressive church.

The voting will take place under Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment ceiling fresco in the Sistine Chapel.

The 133 cardinals with the power to elect the religious head are taking part in the daily ‘pre-enclave’ meetings since April 28.

The meeting would help them get to know each other alongside sharing vision for the future church.

The archbishop of Jakarta Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, sharing the challenge of the task, told journalists that ‘We have heard many voices, it’s not easy to draw conclusions’ after hearing 50 cardinals.

The cardinals are to be lodged in Casa Santa Maria after their final meeting on Tuesday to keep them ‘sequestered’ handing over their mobile phones.

The only time they would be allowed outside is when they take a bus ride between the guesthouse and the Sistine Chapel.

In addition, they take an oath to secrecy alongside Vatican staff from ‘cooks and cleaners to drivers and medics’.

At end of the voting session each day, following two rounds of votes a day—in the morning and the afternoon—smoke will emerge from the chimney at the top of Sistine Chapel.

Black smoke emerging from the chimney could mean that the vote led to no decision, where a white smoke will indicate a new pope has been chosen.

Though speculation as to who will lead the church is rife, Robert Prevost, a moderate cardinal from the US, has emerged in recent days as the potential new pope.