Such is the situation presently concerning the Papal Conclave. The College of Cardinals is responsible for electing the new Pope, not the media and those feeding them tidbits of information. This is nothing new, it happens each time.
Every Catholic plays a crucial role in this process, by praying for God's guidance of the Cardinals in making their selection. Make no mistake, the Cardinals need our prayers. Our prayers might make all the difference, in ways that we will never know.
This can also be a time of grace for all those who enter devoutly (rather than politically) into this transition for the Church.
This fine prayer is the Collect from the Mass for the Election of the Pope found amongst the Votive Masses of the 1962 Missal. Perhaps we might pray it every day:
We humbly beseech you, O Lord, that of your boundless mercy you would grant to your Church a Pontiff who, by his tender care of us, may ever find favour in your sight; and ever be honoured by your people, because of his good government of your Church, to the glory of your name. Amen.
