logo
Here's how a new pope is chosen: Expert explains the conclave ceremony

Here's how a new pope is chosen: Expert explains the conclave ceremony

Yahoo08-05-2025

DENVER (KDVR) — The world continues to watch and wait as 133 cardinals remain sequestered inside the Vatican's Sistine Chapel as the secret conclave ceremony takes place.
They will decide who will succeed Pope Francis as the new leader of the Catholic Church. Black smoke billowed from the Chapel on Wednesday, indicating no pope has been chosen and the voting will continue Thursday morning.
Black smoke rises from Sistine Chapel chimney, conclave doesn't elect pope in first vote
There are 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, but many more are closely following the conclave in anticipation of the impact the new pope will have. FOX31 spoke to Dr. Chris Pramuk, an author and Regis University theology professor, about the conclave process.
'The choosing of a Pope is always a very dramatic reminder of the global reach of the Catholic Church,' he said.
The 133 cardinals must arrive at a two-thirds majority vote to determine who will now lead the Church in a world facing conflict, war and political unrest. Pramuk says Catholics will be looking for consistency in a new leader.
'Francis is a hard act to follow in terms of his personality and his style as a leader, his deep care for the poor, especially for the marginalized,' he said.
As a result of Pope Francis's legacy, this is the most diverse conclave in the church's 2000-year history, with cardinals from 70 countries. Strict protocols ensure the integrity of the selection.
'Literally, the word conclave means 'with a key;' they're locked into the Sistine Chapel with a key to minimize any undue exterior influence,' said Pramuk.
From 'conclave' to 'white smoke,' a glossary of terms used in a papal transition
Pramuk explained the symbolism of black or white smoke emitted from the top of the chapel.
'The ballots are burnt, put in an oven, then ballots once they've been counted, and they add a chemical to create the black smoke if it's not a majority vote,' he said.
Pramuk says the impact of the new Pope will be evident in nations around the world.
'The Pope kind of represents to me the single figure who kind of gives us visual moral guidance in a world that I think today desperately is thirsty for that I think people are looking for signs of hope that goodness is possible,' he said.
The conclave ceremony originated in medieval times. Pramuk tells FOX31 that in the 1800s, there was a conclave that lasted three years due to political pressure. The ceremonies now typically last two to three days.
Pramuk provides more information about the conclave ceremony on the Regis University website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘No Kings' protest to go on in Parker despite town's requested cancellation
‘No Kings' protest to go on in Parker despite town's requested cancellation

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

‘No Kings' protest to go on in Parker despite town's requested cancellation

DENVER (KDVR) — After the town of Parker tried to cancel a 'No Kings' protest due to the Parker Days Festival on Saturday, the event is taking place anyway. On Saturday, June 14, a group known as 'No Kings' is planning a 'nationwide day of defiance' against the Trump administration on President Donald Trump's birthday. The group said during Trump's birthday festivities, they're planning on showing up around the country to say 'no thrones, no crowns, no kings.' No Kings: 'Activist fair' planned at Colorado Capitol on Trump's birthday, DC parade day Protests will be held in Colorado and all over the country, including Parker, even after the town of Parker said it had to be canceled due to a scheduling conflict. The town said the Parker Days Festival, which is hosted by the Parker Chamber of Commerce, is a permitted event that takes place the same weekend every June, with an estimated 350,000 people attending the event. Because of the festival, the town said resources and staffing are limited. 'Unfortunately, due to the large nature of the festival, the Town would not have sufficient staffing and resources, including those of the Police Department and other departments, to ensure the safety of any individuals participating in protests or rallies or any other person within the Town,' the town said in a statement. More than a dozen arrested in Denver Tuesday during ICE protest; police use smoke, pepper balls The town said it spoke with the No Kings Day event organizer last week, and the organizer reportedly agreed to cancel the event. However, the town was 'disappointed to hear' that the event was taking place anyway. The town said it offered to help find another date to host the event, but as of Wednesday morning, No Kings said the event was still on, and the protest is still listed to take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon, but at a 'private' address in Parker. 'The Town of Parker absolutely recognizes individuals' First Amendment rights but must balance those rights with the rights and safety of all other individuals. The Town is truly unable to accommodate another event during the weekend of Parker Days, as it will negatively impact its ability to safety and properly respond to the routine matters within the community, as well as any incidents that may occur due to the number of people anticipated to attend the No Kings rally,' the town said. FOX31 reached out to the Parker Days Festival about the scheduled events and is awaiting a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Pope Leo XIV names new bishop for Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China
Pope Leo XIV names new bishop for Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China

Yahoo

time7 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Pope Leo XIV names new bishop for Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China

June 11 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday appointed Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China. "We are pleased to learn that today, on the occasion of the taking possession of the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of Fuzhou by His Excellency Monsignor Joseph Lin Yuntuan, his Episcopal Ministry is also recognized for the purposes of civil law," the Holy See said in a statement. "This event constitutes a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese Authorities and is an important step in the journey of communion of the Diocese." The Vatican said that both "the recognition of the civil effects" and taking possession the office occurred Wednesday "in the framework of the dialogue regarding the application of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China." Yuntuan's appointment was made possible by the Sino-Vatican deal signed in September 2024 and renewed for a third time in October 2024. A May 12 Human Rights Watch statement urged the Vatican to review the agreement that allows China to appoint bishops for government-approved houses of worship, subject to Pope Leo's approval. "Pope Leo XIV has an opportunity to make a fresh start with China to protect the religious freedom of China's Catholics," HRW associate China director Maya Wang said in a statement. "The new pope should press for negotiations that could help improve the right to religious practice for everyone in China." Details of the Sino-Vatican deal have never been made public. According to HRW, the agreement with the Vatican was signed during a period of intensified religious repression in China. HRW has urged Leo to press the Chinese government to immediately free several Catholic clergy who have been "imprisoned, forcibly disappeared, or subjected to house arrest and other harassment." Msgr. Joseph Lun Yuntuan is a China-born cleric ordained as a priest April 9, 1984. He was an episcopal delegate for several years and from 2013-2016 he "performed the ministry of Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis." Yuntuan received episcopal ordination Dec. 28, 2017. The metropolitan Archdiocese of Fuzhou was established in 1946. Leo has appointed 15 new bishops in Asia, the United States, Africa, Europe and South America.

Pope Leo XIV names new bishop for Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China
Pope Leo XIV names new bishop for Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China

UPI

time9 hours ago

  • UPI

Pope Leo XIV names new bishop for Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China

Pope Leo XIV Wednesday appointed Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China. The Pope waves from the popemobile as he arrives for the weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square, in Vatican City, May 21. Photo By Angelo Carconi/ EPA-EFE June 11 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday appointed Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China. "We are pleased to learn that today, on the occasion of the taking possession of the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of Fuzhou by His Excellency Monsignor Joseph Lin Yuntuan, his Episcopal Ministry is also recognized for the purposes of civil law," the Holy See said in a statement. "This event constitutes a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese Authorities and is an important step in the journey of communion of the Diocese." The Vatican said that both "the recognition of the civil effects" and taking possession the office occurred Wednesday "in the framework of the dialogue regarding the application of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China." Yuntuan's appointment was made possible by the Sino-Vatican deal signed in September 2024 and renewed for a third time in October 2024. A May 12 Human Rights Watch statement urged the Vatican to review the agreement that allows China to appoint bishops for government-approved houses of worship, subject to Pope Leo's approval. "Pope Leo XIV has an opportunity to make a fresh start with China to protect the religious freedom of China's Catholics," HRW associate China director Maya Wang said in a statement. "The new pope should press for negotiations that could help improve the right to religious practice for everyone in China." Details of the Sino-Vatican deal have never been made public. According to HRW, the agreement with the Vatican was signed during a period of intensified religious repression in China. HRW has urged Leo to press the Chinese government to immediately free several Catholic clergy who have been "imprisoned, forcibly disappeared, or subjected to house arrest and other harassment." Msgr. Joseph Lun Yuntuan is a China-born cleric ordained as a priest April 9, 1984. He was an episcopal delegate for several years and from 2013-2016 he "performed the ministry of Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis." Yuntuan received episcopal ordination Dec. 28, 2017. The metropolitan Archdiocese of Fuzhou was established in 1946. Leo has appointed 15 new bishops in Asia, the United States, Africa, Europe and South America.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store