Vote wisely

Today is election day for us Filipinos as we choose our new or reelect our local government officials, our representatives in the House and half or 12 senators in the Senate.

- MARIANNE GO

As with all our previous elections, the advice is always to vote wisely.

But this time around perhaps we should follow the example of the thought process of the 133 cardinals in choosing Pope Leo XIV.

Before the papal conclave convened for the election of the next Catholic leader following the death of Pope Francis, the run-up to the historic voting played out very much like a political fight with the likely candidates and favorites all being scrutinized and analyzed for their qualifications, strengths, weaknesses, likability and popularity. And just like all partisan voting, the 133 cardinals were most likely also seriously checking their loyalties and preferences.

Of course, following the fictional Conclave movie, the public and hence the media began to focus more on this year's election for a new pope. The Vatican surprisingly agreed to be more transparent and allowed more media coverage of the papal conclave proceedings up until the 133 cardinals took their oath of secrecy just before closing the doors of the Sistine Chapel and beginning the secret voting.

According to historical records, the longest papal conclave lasted for nearly three years from 1268 to 1271 following the death of Pope Clement IV. Fortunately, following that record-breaking event, the new pope, Pope Gregory X, introduced more stringent rules to avoid another lengthy process for the election of a new leader for the Catholic Church.

The shortest papal conclave, in turn, was in October 1503, lasting only a couple of hours following the death of Pope Pius III, whose papacy was also the shortest at 26 days or barely a month.