The Bishop of Funchal, D. Nuno Brás, has expressed that he holds no expectations regarding the outcome of the conclave currently taking place in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. However, he acknowledged he would be pleased if Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça, who hails from Madeira and is considered one of the frontrunners, is chosen.
“Obviously, if it is him, all the better. But I don’t know who will manage Madeira, with both a Pope and Cristiano Ronaldo,” he joked in comments to Diário de Notícias da Madeira.
The Bishop did not offer any predictions about the duration of the conclave either.
“Two-thirds are needed. If it is like the last conclaves, it will be concluded by tomorrow. If it takes one or two more days, that is not a problem,” added the Bishop of Funchal.
The 133 cardinal electors have entered the Sistine Chapel in Rome for the first time on Wednesday to commence the electoral conclave tasked with selecting the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church, the successor to Saint Peter and Pope Francis.
Following the election and the appearance of white smoke, the new Pope will choose his name and be introduced to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
At that moment, the conclave will officially conclude, and the cardinals will leave the Casa Santa Marta. Traditionally, it will only be a few days later that the new Pope will preside over his inaugural pontifical mass.
