This cartoon by Chappatte from Le Temps (Geneva) relates to the papal conclave, the meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a new Bishop of Rome, more commonly known as the Pope. Cardinals have set Tuesday as the start date for the conclave. The first vote is scheduled for the afternoon, following a morning mass. Watch video >>
The cartoon shows the cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel, where they will spend hours — or days — deciding who should be elected as the next Pope. A TV reporter comments, "The cardinals will be isolated and cut off from the world ... as usual, in fact."
EXPLANATION
During the Conclave, cardinals reside within the Vatican and are not permitted any contact with the outside world. The reporter's ironic comment suggests that the cardinals are permanently out of touch with what's happening in the world, so the conclave will be no different.
