Cardinals enter seclusion ahead of secret conclave to elect new pope
By Joshua McElwee and Crispian Balmer
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Cardinals who will take part in the secret conclave to elect a new Catholic pope began checking into two Vatican hotels on Tuesday, where they will be barred from contact with the outside world as they decide who should succeed Pope Francis.
The conclave will start behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with all cardinals under the age of 80 able to vote on who should be the next leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.
The race to succeed Francis, who died last month, is seen as wide open. Although a few names have been cited as possible front-runners, several of the 133 cardinals expected to vote in the conclave have said they do not know who will become the next pope.
"I have no guess," Cardinal Robert McElroy said during a visit to a parish in Rome on Monday evening.
The conclave process is "profound and mysterious," said McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, D.C. "I can give you no insights into who is ahead," he said.
Some cardinals are looking for a new pope who will continue with Francis' push for a more transparent, welcoming Church, while others are seeking retrenchment to more traditional roots that put a premium on doctrine.
Conclaves are often spread out over several days, with multiple votes held before a contender wins the necessary three-quarters majority to become pope.
During the conclave period, the voting cardinals will stay in two Vatican guesthouses and take an oath to remain out of contact with anyone not participating in the secret vote.
Francis had a priority of appointing cardinals from countries that had never had them before, such as Haiti, South Sudan and Myanmar.
This conclave will be the most geographically diverse in the Church's 2,000-year history, with clerics from 70 countries taking part.
Japanese Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi told La Repubblica newspaper that many of the 23 cardinals from Asia voting in the conclave planned to vote as a block.
He contrasted their strategy with that of the 53 cardinals from Europe, who are known to vote in terms of individual countries or other personal preferences.
"We Asians are probably more unanimous in supporting one or two candidates ... we will see which name will come out as the leading candidate," said Kikuchi.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Vietnam parliament approves hiking tax on alcoholic drinks to 90% by 2031
HANOI (Reuters) -Vietnam's National Assembly on Saturday approved a proposal to raise the special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages to 90% by 2031 from the current 65%, a move that will add to challenges facing the industry even though the top rate won't be as high as first flagged. Under the legislation, the tax rate on beer and strong liquor will rise to 70% by 2027, a year later than initially proposed, before reaching 90% in 2031. Vietnam currently imposes a 65% tax on these products and the initial proposal last year had the tax rising to as high as 100%. The finance ministry has said the aim of the higher taxes is to curb alcohol consumption. Vietnam is Southeast Asia's second-largest beer market, according to a report by consultancy KPMG in 2024. Vietnam's beer industry, led by Dutch brewer Heineken, Denmark's Carlsberg, and local brewers Sabeco and Habeco, has already faced challenges from stringent drink-driving laws introduced in 2019, which set a zero-alcohol limit for drivers. The country's Beer and Alcoholic Beverage Association chief has said industry revenue has declined for the past three years. In response to weakening demand and the initial proposal for the tax hike, Heineken last year suspended operations at one of its Vietnam breweries. On Saturday, the lawmakers also approved a new levy of eight percent on sugary drinks exceeding 5g/100ml of sugar that will take effect in 2027 and rise to 10% in 2028. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
20 minutes ago
Trump clears path for Nippon Steel investment in US Steel, so long as it fits the government's terms
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order paving the way for a Nippon Steel investment in U.S. Steel, so long as the Japanese company complies with a 'national security agreement' submitted by the federal government. Trump's order didn't detail the terms of the national security agreement. But the iconic American steelmaker and Nippon Steel said in a joint statement that the agreement stipulates that approximately $11 billion in new investments will be made by 2028 and includes giving the U.S. government a ' golden share" — essentially veto power to ensure the country's national security interests are protected against cutbacks in steel production. 'We thank President Trump and his Administration for their bold leadership and strong support for our historic partnership," the two companies said. "This partnership will bring a massive investment that will support our communities and families for generations to come. We look forward to putting our commitments into action to make American steelmaking and manufacturing great again.' The companies have completed a U.S. Department of Justice review and received all necessary regulatory approvals, the statement said. 'The partnership is expected to be finalized promptly,' the statement said. U.S. Steel rose $2.66, or 5%, to $54.85 in afterhours trading Friday. Nippon Steel's original bid to buy the Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel in late 2023 had been valued at $55 per share. The companies offered few details on how the golden share would work, what other provisions are in the national security agreement and how specifically the $11 billion would be spent. White House spokesman Kush Desai said the order 'ensures U.S. Steel will remain in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and be safeguarded as a critical element of America's national and economic security.' James Brower, a Morrison Foerster lawyer who represents clients in national security-related matters, said such agreements with the government typically are not disclosed to the public, particularly by the government. They can become public, but it's almost always disclosed by a party in the transaction, such as a company — like U.S. Steel — that is publicly held, Brower said. The mechanics of how a golden share would work will depend on the national security agreement, but in such agreements it isn't unusual to give the government approval rights over specific activities, Brower said. U.S. Steel made no filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. Nippon Steel originally offered nearly $15 billion to purchase U.S. Steel in an acquisition that had been delayed on national security concerns starting during Joe Biden's presidency. As it sought to win over American officials, Nippon Steel gradually increased the amount of money it was pledging to invest into U.S. Steel. American officials now value the transaction at $28 billion, including the purchase bid and a new electric arc furnace — a more modern steel mill that melts down scrap — that they say Nippon Steel will build in the U.S. after 2028. Nippon Steel had pledged to maintain U.S. Steel's headquarters in Pittsburgh, put U.S. Steel under a board with a majority of American citizens and keep plants operating. It also said it would protect the interests of U.S. Steel in trade matters and it wouldn't import steel slabs that would compete with U.S. Steel's blast furnaces in Pennsylvania and Indiana. Trump opposed the purchase while campaigning for the White House, and using his authority Biden blocked the transaction on his way out of the White House. But Trump expressed openness to working out an arrangement once he returned to the White House in January. Trump said Thursday that he would as president have 'total control' of what U.S. Steel did as part of the investment. Trump said then that the deal would preserve '51% ownership by Americans,' although Nippon Steel has never backed off its stated intention of buying and controlling U.S. Steel as a wholly owned subsidiary. 'We have a golden share, which I control,' Trump said. Trump added that he was 'a little concerned' about what presidents other than him would do with their golden share, 'but that gives you total control.' The proposed merger had been under review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, during the Trump and Biden administrations. The order signed Friday by Trump said the CFIUS review provided 'credible evidence' that Nippon Steel 'might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States,' but such risks might be 'adequately mitigated' by approving the proposed national security agreement. The order doesn't detail the perceived national security risk and only provides a timeline for the national security agreement. The White House declined to provide details on the terms of the agreement. The order said the draft agreement was submitted to U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel on Friday. The two companies must successfully execute the agreement as decided by the Treasury Department and other federal agencies that are part CFIUS by the closing date of the transaction.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'A united Church': LA faith leaders from different denominations bring flowers instead of fear
LOS ANGELES - "Let this be our first great desire: a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, becoming a ferment for a reconciled world," said Pope Leo XIV. This week, as federal immigration crackdowns cast a shadow over Los Angeles, that vision took on flesh. From the steps of Grand Park to sanctuary churches across the city, faith leaders from every denomination have stood together—not in silence, but in sacred resistance. United in prayer, protest, and purpose. They are answering what they call a moral crisis with a collective response: to love without fear, and to stand as one body for the dignity of all. In a powerful expression of peace, some faithful came to the protests carrying flowers—laying them at the feet of officers and into the hands of immigrants as living symbols of mercy, hope, and presence. Their message was clear: this movement will not meet fear with force—but with love that is visible, gentle, and firm. "Holy God, Ice-T said it best. Ice-T said, 'Los Angeles is a microcosm of the United States. If L.A. falls, the country falls,'" Bishop John Harvey Taylor told the June 10 interfaith assembly in downtown's Grand Park, eliciting applause and cheers. "So we're here tonight to lift up our city on a cloud of prayer. Multicultural, polylingual, pluralistic – Los Angeles is America the beautiful. The most American city of them all, and by your grace, it will not fall. We're here tonight to beseech you to lift the City of Angels on the wings of angels." "We know that our nation has lost its moral compass," said Pastor Q of CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice). "We are going to be the moral defibrillator that shocks this nation's conscience back to life. Believe me when I tell you." Religious leaders emphasized that the federal immigration response is not just a political or legal issue—but a spiritual one. "This is not just a scary moment—it's a sacred one," said Father Brendan Busse of Dolores Mission Church. "This is a sacred moment where we as a city of Los Angeles stand up and recognize that there's two ways we can live. As if everything is sacred, or as if nothing is. And we stand here because we know that everything and everyone and every place is sacred. There are some in our government, as you know, as we have seen, that act as if is nothing sacred. Not our churches, not our schools, not our hospitals, not our shelters, not our homes, not our streets, not our parks, not every place. No place is sacred and nobody is treated as if they were in this city by this government. And so I'm here to remind you that this is a moment where we have a choice to make. If everything is sacred, then we need to respect the dignity of all people, respect the rights of all people. We need to do everything we can to advocate and stand for that." Father Busse talked about children living in fear, and shared a moment from his school where a student saw him speaking on the news. "I asked one of those children, I said, how did that make you feel? And he said, 'Strong.' I felt strong when I saw you up there," Busse said. "That's what I want everybody to hear—in the faith community, the civic community, the business community, and the whole of Los Angeles—that when we stand together, our children do not feel scared… They feel strong when they see us standing together. They feel brave when they see us acting in their name. They feel proud when they see people standing up for what is right." That conviction carried through every prayer and proclamation, as clergy members Friday launched "30 days of resistance, signs, and moral witness." The gathering featured prayers and appeals to conscience, grounded in the belief that "our immigrant sisters and brothers" are "part of the fabric of this city." "Holy God, bless us, protect us, help us all together speak up, rise up, and stand together—for love, for mercy, for compassion, for justice," prayed Pastor Andy. "For a city that welcomes our neighbors as our scriptures teach us to love our neighbors as we love you." "We pledge to be peaceful witnesses," said Bishop Taylor. We can resist unjust authority without lifting a hand against our neighbor." "We will be brave with our love," Father Busse said. "Because that's what Los Angeles is. Someone at that action was there crying in tears, asking, 'Where is my family?' And as I heard them say that, I said—I don't know where they are, but I know exactly who they are. They are our brothers and sisters. And we need to start acting as if that were true." Catholic leaders throughout the region echoed that same message. During a special Day of Prayer for Peace and Unity, Archbishop José Gomez called on the faithful to extend compassion in action: "Pray for our neighbors who are hurting—good, hardworking men and women, people of faith. Like St. Barnabas, we want to go out and console our neighbors and strengthen their hearts… Through our love and compassion, we want to let them know: Jesus is with them. Always." SUGGESTED: List: 'No Kings' anti-Trump protest locations in LA, Southern California Michael Donaldson, Senior Director for the Office of Life, Justice and Peace, said, "With so many in fear, we are hoping to share a message of peace and hope… through prayer, wherever we may be, we are united for peace in our communities." Pope Leo XIV, in a recent address, offered words that seem to mirror the sentiments made by local clergy leaders: "God loves us, all of us. Evil will not prevail. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward." As the 30-day movement begins, clergy across Los Angeles are reminding their communities that unity is not an abstract goal—it's a sacred responsibility. Rooted in Scripture, one of the final messages shared echoed the words of Romans 12:5: "So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." The Source The information in this article comes from statements made by religious leaders amid ongoing ICE raids in the city of Los Angeles.
