In Rome, everybody’s talking about the conclave

It's on everyone's lips, all day long. In Rome, no one is indifferent to the conclave. The city has been buzzing for the past few days to the rhythm of the cardinals' pre-conclave meetings, called "general congregations," with everyone offering their predictions on the identity of the next pope. But the cardinals' entry into the conclave on Wednesday, May 7, truly electrified the terraces of the cafés and restaurants of the Eternal City.

After two hours of strolling through the streets of the Italian capital, a family from Valencia, Spain, on vacation chose a café not far from St. Peter's Square to cool off. One of the two teenagers then asked his parents, “Who do you think will be the next pope?” The parents proceeded to introduce their children to the cardinals they liked, and everyone got caught up in the game, commenting, comparing, and defending their “candidate” with conviction.

A little further away, a group of colleagues who had come to share a plate of pasta and a spritz before heading back to the office were engaged in lively discussion. The word “conclave” came up several times. The subject of their discussion? The duration of this unchanging event: two days, three days?

One outsider bets on a long conclave, arguing that the cardinals won’t be able to agree quickly because they don’t know each other well. This argument is dismissed by the others, who quickly refer to the last three conclaves. And the stakes are high: the bettor who gets it right will be rewarded with a meal at a good trattoria.

Carmelite nuns from southern Italy are also happy to join in the game. For them, the real debate is over the name that the next pope will choose. Sister Marie is adamant: “There will be John in the name of the next pope.” More discreet but no less convinced, another nun believes that the name could be a surprise.

Over a spritz, a pizza, tasty antipasti, or a comforting coffee, discussions and debates about the conclave are in full swing under the Roman sun. The conversations are sometimes lighthearted, sometimes passionate, and it's hard to remain aloof. Yet amid this joyful excitement, one key player sometimes seems to be relegated to the background: the Holy Spirit. For if there is one whose bet is sure to win, it is He.