Conclave live: Cardinals gather before start of vote for next pope - after hot mic moment
Procession begins after final prayer
After a final prayer which has just been read out in the Pauline Chapel, the procession to the Sistine Chapel is now under way.
Conclave: Watch and follow full coverage across Sky News
As well as bringing you updates on this page, our team of presenters and correspondents is at the Vatican to bring you live television coverage of the conclave.
For as long as it takes, our chief presenter Mark Austin will guide you through all the key moments with commentator Alastair Bruce.
Siobhan Robbins, our Europe correspondent, is on the ground in Vatican City and speaking to those who are gathering as the conclave begins.
The scene inside Pauline Chapel
We can now bring you some more pictures of the scene inside the Pauline Chapel where 133 cardinals are seated.
They will soon be starting a procession over to the Sistine Chapel, where the conclave will be taking place.
Cardinals gather for prayer before start of conclave
We're starting to see the first of the 133 cardinals responsible for choosing the next pope gather ahead of the procession.
They're gathering at the Pauline Chapel to pray and will then form a procession over to the Sistine Chapel singing Veni Creator Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit).
You can watch along in the stream at the top of this live page, and we'll be bringing you the latest updates here.
Watch: What happens during a conclave?
With cardinals set to gather in the next few moments, the start of the conclave is edging ever closer.
The meeting to elect the new pope is held in secrecy in the Sistine Chapel with phones handed over, windows covered and the building even swept for bugs.
We take you through exactly what happens in this video:
Coming up: Procession, oath of secrecy - then doors close
Our Europe correspondent Siobhan Robbins is in Vatican City, and says we'll see the line of cardinal electors walking from the Pauline Chapel into the Sistine Chapel in the next hour.
"They're going to take an oath of secrecy. They'll take it as a collective, and then individually," she says.
"When all that process is done, the doors are shut. We'll hear the words read out in Latin and that's when that top secret negotiation, the election begins.
"One by one they'll be called, we've seen the numbers that have been written on white balls."
Robbins says that the cardinals will be called to cast their votes in the election, and then "at some point this evening, we will hope to see the smoke".
Of course, black smoke means that no decision has been made, and white smoke means a new pope has been elected.
What are the chances of a British pope?
It's been 866 years since the papacy of Britain's only ever pontiff (Pope Adrian IV) ended in 1159, and the history of the Catholic Church in the UK since then has been turbulent.
It is not thought that any of the UK or Irish cardinals are among the favourites to succeed Pope Francis.
Cardinal Sean Brady, Ireland's only Catholic cardinal, will turn 86 this summer and so is also unable to vote because of his age, as is Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, from Birmingham, who will turn 88 in August.
Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, from Liverpool, and the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, is taking part in conclave, as is Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, who is from London.
Aged 75, Cardinal Arthur Roche, from West Yorkshire and based in Rome, is the youngest of the UK and Ireland's cardinals.
Both Cardinal Radcliffe and Cardinal Nichols appeared to rule themselves out of the running soon after Francis's death was announced.
Scotland has no Catholic cardinals.
There is also Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is Irish-born but is seen as an American cardinal having ministered mainly in the US.
He has been based in Rome for some years.
Cardinal Farrell was the one to announce the death of Pope Francis and, as camerlengo, has been the senior official ensuring the smooth running of the church until a new pontiff is chosen, including organising the meetings of cardinals preceding the conclave.
For profiles on each British cardinal, read on here...
Where do cardinals sleep during the conclave?
As cardinals prepare to gather ahead of their procession over to the Sistine Chapel, they're about to enter a period of secrecy.
The conclave will only end once two-thirds of the 133 cardinals have come to an agreement on the new pope.
For that reason, they will be staying at Casa Santa Marta - a guesthouse inside the Vatican's grounds.
That's because the process can go on for some time. The longest conclave lasted almost three years between 1268 and 1271.
Although, it's worth noting that several have lasted only one day.
The most recent conclaves - for Pope Francis in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Pope John Paul II in 1978 - all lasted less than three days.
Media attention building as conclave nears
It's approaching 3pm, which is when we expect to start seeing cardinals before they make their way over to the Sistine Chapel.
The media attention has been building throughout the day, with camera crews setting up near St Peter's Basilica.
'Double best wishes': Dean of cardinals overheard giving message to papal frontrunner
We have a hot mic moment to bring you now, which could be significant in this week's conclave...
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re went to greet Cardinal Pietro Parolin at the end of morning mass earlier.
It looks as though Re - the dean of the cardinals who led the mass - might not have been aware of the live feed showing pictures from Vatican City at the time.
Battista Re, 91, was overheard on the feed telling Parolin: "Best wishes. Double best wishes."
In the original Italian, this was "auguri... auguri doppi".
Watch the moment below...
Parolin, 70, is the current frontrunner in the contest to become the next pope.
However, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
The dean of cardinals usually presides over the vote. But in this conclave, the current dean - Re - is over the eligible voting age, and so the election will be led by Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state.
So, it's quite possible Re was simply wishing Parolin good luck for running the process.
But then Re did say "double best wishes"...
Read all about the man known as "deputy pope" since 2013 in our explainer below:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
7 minutes ago
- Sky News
NATO chief's speech was meant as a call to arms, but it was also a shameful admission for the alliance
For all the stark warnings and ominous predictions made by the head of NATO today, one key fact remained unmentioned. The West is still funding the Russian war effort to the tune of billions by buying oil and gas, funnelling vast amounts into an economy that is now fully militarised. Russian gas exports to Europe went up by 20% last year and its LNG exports to the EU are now at record levels. Vladimir Putin's Russia is now making more money from selling fossil fuels than Ukraine receives from allies. NATO's secretary general Mark Rutte did not mention any of that. But he did spell out what Russia is doing with all that hydrocarbon revenue. It is using it to put its economy onto a war footing that is now pumping out munitions at a rate that puts the West to shame, to the extent Russia could have the capability to take on NATO in three to five years, according to Mr Rutte. The secretary general meant his speech in London as a warning and call to arms. But it was also a shameful admission for the Western alliance he heads. More than three years into this war, Russia is outstripping the entire Western bloc by four to one in terms of munitions production. 5:09 Russia's economy is 1/25th that of NATO's combined economic might and crippled by sanctions and yet every three months pumps out more shells than the entire NATO bloc manages in a year. And while Europe carries on funding Russia's war effort by buying its oil and gas, none of that is going to change. We are now in the insane and obscene situation where European taxpayers will have to fork out more, a lot more, to counteract the threat of a militarised Russia, whose resurgence is being subsidised by Western countries buying its fossil fuels.
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Dozens of lawmakers scrutinized for scoring FREE luxury trip to Italy's Lake Como estimated to cost thousands
Nestled in the shadow of the Italian Alps lies a pristine vacation destination favored by the world's richest - and increasingly visited by U.S. lawmakers and their spouses for free. The splendid retreat of Lake Como has been featured in blockbusters like James Bond, Star Wars and the Ocean's 11 franchises. It is also now one of the most popular destinations for members of Congress to get a free trip, according to a NOTUS report. The nonprofit Aspen Institute has sent nearly 50 lawmakers to the Italian retreat since 2023, the outlet found, making it the fifth most-visited foreign country for congressional trips this year. The Aspen Institute bills this paid-for luxury trip as an educational experience for lawmakers to work across the aisle on critical issues in a relaxed setting. There are perks, too, like lawmaker's ability to bring a spouse or companion. The trips' average cost ranges between $10,000 and $15,000 for members bringing a guest, but the lawmakers need not worry as that is covered by the Aspen Institute. The nonprofit foots the bill for business-class flights, meals, and lodging at an exclusive villa, according to the program's invitation. Democrats and Republicans will receive lessons about food insecurity, climate change and artificial intelligence at the Bellagio Center - a villa owned by the Rockefeller Foundation. Congressional spouses and guests are free to visit the historic towns that dot the lake's coastline to experience the local splendors and try staples like pasta and gelato. But some have been critical of lawmakers taking the trips. Reacting to the climate change educational field trips, conservative commentator and former Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, aide Steve Guest called the it 'beyond parody.' 'How ironic, discussing food insecurity where the Jet Set go to sample the best Italy has to offer,' an X user reacted. 'Not exactly a brown bag seminar in Washington DC,' another wrote on X. 'This is completely unsurprising and exactly what people outside the beltway think politicians do.' 'No wonder people go into 'public service,'' they added. Speaking with NOTUS about the trips, multiple lawmakers shared that they enjoyed the policy discussions in the glamorous destination. 'They put us on a small houseboat and took us over across the lake to a little villa, if you will, and the restaurant there,' Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, said of his trip. He shared that the event was 'very bipartisan' and 'very beneficial.' Though he did complain that he did not get to check off all the activities he wanted to do while over there. Though his wife got to attend a cooking class, enjoyed world-class shopping and some local gelato, Weber said he left a 'must-do' on the table. 'I was a little disappointed because we never got to try any Italian pizza,' he told NOTUS. One reporter, Joe Perticone, wrote on X he was outraged by Weber's statement. 'Randy Weber bemoaning that he didn't get to eat pizza while he was in Lombardy is actually infuriating,' the journalist wrote. 'Members of Congress do not deserve this.' Typically lawmakers travel to destinations with importance to U.S. interests, like Taiwan, Israel, Brussels or Beijing. On the most recent trip 11 members traveled to Lake Como for around six days, NOTUS reports. Many of the speakers at the conference are D.C.-based, however, including groups that are pushing lawmakers to keep alive Biden-era clean energy tax credits under the new administration. Former Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Penn., who runs the Aspen Institute's congressional program, told the outlet that the trips are meant to bring together Republicans and Democrats on bipartisan policy issues amid 'this bitterly partisan and tribal political environment.' 'There are simply not enough opportunities in Congress for members to develop meaningful relationships across the aisle,' Dent told NOTUS. 'There are no taxpayer funds involved in what we do, and there are no lobbyists involved.' Past attendees include Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin, Chris Coons, Peter Welch and Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Glenn Ivey, Jim Himes and Adam Smith. Republican Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, Susan Collins, John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy have also attended - so have Reps. Kat Cammack, August Pfluger, Neal Dunn and others. Dent, the former chairman of the House Ethics Committee, shared that he personally fills out lawmaker's required ethics paperwork so that they may attend the retreat. The current chair of the committee, Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., has visited Lake Como twice with Aspen, having gone this year and last. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring that lawmakers properly register for work-related foreign trips.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
QUENTIN LETTS: Criticising Red China is a moreish activity. You try some and before long hanker for another plateful
China 's vice-premier He Lifeng, a big yam, is in London and spent his morning with Rachel Reeves. MPs, perhaps sensing that he (that is to say, He) might need a laugh after his ordeal, laid on a Chinese-related show in the afternoon: An urgent question attacking a 'nefarious' plan for a Chinese super-embassy in London. Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Con, Chingford & Woodford Green) led demands that planning minister Matthew Pennycook block the embassy. He and a surprising number of Labour backbenchers argued that the site was a security risk, being bang next to a telephone exchange that serves the City. 'Dark cabling' runs underneath the premises. These may be used for the transmission of delicate material. Our spooks are said to be uneasy about this, as are the Americans and, oddly, the Dutch. Much Beijing-bashing ensued. China operatives might cut those dark cables. National security was at risk. It would cost a fortune to police the site. Criticism of Red China is a moreish activity. You try some and before long you hanker for another plateful. Moreover, there is now an electoral consideration: Many British constituencies contain large numbers of Hong Kongers, some of whom worry that Chinese diplomats present a mortal threat to them. This is not a concept entirely easy to explain to President Xi, but these Hong Kongers may be swing voters. MPs therefore feel under pressure to deplore the Beijing regime. Comrade Pennycook was a credit to his profession. He stood there and repeatedly said nothing. It takes years in Communist-approved training camps to perfect this verbose art. Mr Pennycook's tongue was tied because this was a 'quasi-judicial matter' on which he, as planning supremo, would allegedly have to pass judgment. 'I cannot comment in any detail,' he regretfully told Sir James Cleverly, a former foreign secretary. 'I didn't ask for any detail!' yelped Sir James. Mr Pennycook shuffled his papers and regretted that that did not alter matters. He still could not dilate. What he possibly meant was that Sir Keir Starmer, diplomatic genius that he is, may already have given Premier Xi an undertaking that the super-embassy can proceed. Sir Iain suggested 'Project Kowtow' was under way – 'a walk of shame for the Government'. Mr Pennycook murmured: 'It would not be appropriate for me to comment.' Unhappy Labour MPs included Alex Sobel (Leeds C), burly Blair McDougall (East Renfrewshire) and even the House's leading Starmerite greaser, Mark Sewards (Leeds SW). It is almost unheard of for little Sewards to express anything but ravished delight at the Government's behaviour. Whips may need to check his circuit board to make sure a virus has not infected his central controls. We also had an eruption from Marie Rimmer, a magnificent old Labour pudding from St Helens who normally does as commanded by her party. Ms Rimmer, like a runaway truckle of cheese, proved hard to stop once she was rolling. 'China has a record of state-backed espionage,' she cried through some whistly-sounding teeth. 'There has been a massive under-estimation of the risk.' Deputy Speaker Nusrat Ghani tried to get her to shut up but Ms Rimmer did not notice. Bits of cheese-wheel, or at least her oratory, were by now flying here and there. Words were splintering. Sentences were disintegrating. A nearby MP took a shard of cheddar in the eye and went down like a fallen warrior. Even Beijing's most accomplished code-breakers might have struggled to understand what our Marie meant. At one point she seemed to talk of 'signals contraception'. Did she mean 'interception'? Or something else? Maybe the wheezy dinner-lady routine is a brilliant front. Maybe she is an MI6 ace under deep cover. In other news Torsten Bell, pensions minister, explained the Government's rethink on winter fuel payments. What a twerp! Arrogant young Bell's nose twitched as he pushed his excuses past a set of vegetarian-looking teeth. Rabbit with a quiff. Any pensioner would have been tempted to truncheon him with a furled brolly.
