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Kuwait Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Cardinals begin choosing new pope
133 'Princes of the Church' locked inside Sistine Chapel as conclave begins VATICAN CITY: Cardinals choosing the next leader of the global Catholic Church were locked into the Vatican's Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, marking the formal start of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis. Shortly after 15:45 GMT, the conclave's master of ceremonies declared "Extra omnes" — "Everybody out" in Latin — and then shut the heavy doors of the 15th century chapel, leaving the 133 "Princes of the Church" to make their choice in secrecy. The centuries-old ritual, which is expected to last several days, comes just over a fortnight after the death of Pope Francis, the Argentine Jesuit who led the world's 1.4 billion Catholics for 12 years. The cardinal electors had earlier gathered in the nearby Pauline Chapel in silent prayer before proceeding to the 15th-century Sistine Chapel, where tables and chairs have been laid out beneath Michelangelo's frescoes. They took a group oath of secrecy before each cardinal approached the altar to utter his personal vow in front of the Italian master's depiction of the Last Judgement, when Christians believe God will return to decide who goes to heaven or hell. According to a live video feed produced by the Vatican, they took a vow not to reveal what happened in the conclave, on pain of excommunication. The conclave is the largest and the most international ever, with cardinals from around 70 countries — many of whom did not know each other before being summoned to Rome following Francis's death. There is no clear frontrunner to succeed the charismatic Francis, with the cardinals representing a range of progressive and conservative traditions within the Church. But the challenges facing the 2,000-year-old institution are clear. The new pope faces diplomatic balancing acts at a time of geopolitical uncertainty, as well as deep splits within the Church itself. There is also the continued fall-out from the clerical child abuse scandal and -- in the West — increasingly empty pews. Waiting for the smoke Thousands of people gathered outside in St Peter's Square to watch the proceedings, which were streamed live on several large screens in front of St Peter's Basilica. There was applause for the declaration of "Extra omnes". Many hope to see the smoke that will come out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney when the cardinals have voted — black smoke for no winner, white for a new pope. "It would be perfect, lovely to be here for a new pope," said Irish tourist Catriona Hawe, 60. "Francis was brilliant, progressive, a man of the people, though he didn't move things forward as quickly as I would have liked," she said. "The Church won't be doing itself any favors if it elects someone conservative." Besides outward displays of faith, the conclave has also generated a festive atmosphere, with one young woman in the square showing off her black miniature poodle dressed as the pope. The cardinals will cast just one ballot on the first evening, with a result expected around 7:00pm, before retiring to the nearby Santa Marta guesthouse. If no one secures the two-thirds majority needed to be elected, they will resume voting on Thursday, with four ballots a day scheduled until there is a winner. Women protest The cardinals have spent days discussing the most pressing challenges facing the Catholic Church and the character traits its new leader needs. Burning issues include falling priest numbers, the role of women, the Vatican's troubled balance sheets and how to adapt the Church to the modern world. Battista Re urged the cardinals to pray for "a pope who knows how best to awaken the consciences of all ... in today's society, characterized by great technological progress but which tends to forget God". Meanwhile across Rome, women's rights activists gathered to protest the absence of women in the conclave. "We are saying to the cardinals, you cannot keep ignoring 50 percent of the Catholic population, you cannot go into a locked room and discuss the future of the Church without half of the Church," said Miriam Duignan, of the UK-based Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research. Some 80 percent of the cardinals voting were appointed by Francis — an impulsive yet charismatic champion of the downtrodden. But while interviews in the run-up suggested that some cardinals favor a leader able to protect and develop his legacy, others want a more conservative defender of doctrine. More than a dozen names are circulating, from Italian Pierbattista Pizzaballa to Hungary's Peter Erdo and Sri Lanka's Malcolm Ranjith. — AFP
France 24
10-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Leo XIV, 'humble servant of God', visits sanctuary in first papal outing
The Chicago-born pontiff paid a "private visit" Saturday afternoon to the Mother of Good Counsel Sanctuary in Genazzano, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of Rome, the Vatican said. Earlier, addressing a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican just two days after being elected the 267th pope, he provided some early clues as to what his priorities and style would be. Leo explained his new choice of name reflected a commitment to social causes while describing himself as St Peter's "unworthy Successor". Born Robert Francis Prevost, the pope told assembled cardinals a pontiff was "a humble servant of God and of his brothers and sisters, and nothing more than this". He praised Francis's "complete dedication to service and to sober simplicity of life", according to a transcript of the gathering published by the Vatican. "Let us take up this precious legacy and continue on the journey, inspired by the same hope that is born of faith," he told the College of Cardinals. The new pope was given a standing ovation as he entered the conference hall wearing a white papal robe, video released by the Vatican showed. Among the Church priorities championed by Francis, Leo said he intended to uphold "loving care for the least and the rejected" and his "courageous and trusting dialogue with the contemporary world in its various components and realities". He also mentioned "the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community" and growth in "synodality," a top priority of Francis's that sought to open the Church to welcome more voices. Francis, an Argentine Jesuit and the first pope from the Americas, died on April 21 aged 88. - Justice, labour - The first leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics to come from the United States, Leo told cardinals he chose his papal name as a homage to Leo XIII, a 19th-century pontiff who defended workers' rights. That choice, he said, was because his namesake "addressed the social question in the context of the first great Industrial Revolution". Today, the Church's social teaching is needed "in response to another Industrial Revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour," Leo added. He later headed to Genazzano. Italian television channel TV2000 broadcast footage of him exiting a black SUV and entering the basilica, which dates from the 11th century. The sanctuary preserves an ancient image of the Virgin Mary, which is dear to the Augustinian order and "to the memory of Leo XIII", the Vatican said. Leo is the first pope from the Augustinian order, a religious group with a strong focus on missionary outreach and community, which experts say encourages collaboration and discussion before decision-making. In his first homily to cardinals on Friday, Leo urged the Church to restore the faith of millions around the world. He warned that lack of faith often went hand-in-hand with "the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society." The Augustinian, who was made cardinal by Francis in 2023, is not a globally recognised figure although he had been on many Vatican watchers' lists of potential popes ahead of the conclave. Over the coming days his actions and words will be closely scrutinised. 'Deep faith' On Sunday, he returns to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to give the Regina Coeli prayer to assembled faithful in the square beneath him. Leo plans to meet with foreign diplomats to the Vatican next week and the following Sunday, May 18, he will preside over his inauguration mass at St Peter's Square, expected to draw world leaders and thousands of pilgrims. Cardinals have described Leo as cast in the mold of Francis, with a commitment to the poor and disadvantaged, as well a focus on those hailing from further-flung areas of the Church. But they say his approach may be less direct than the sometimes impulsive Francis, a progressive who shook up the Church during his 12-year papacy. In an interview with Italian daily La Stampa published Saturday, US Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a conservative archbishop of New York, called the new pope "a man of deep faith, rooted in prayer and capable of listening".
Time of India
10-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Leo XIV, 'humble servant of God', visits sanctuary in first papal outing
Photo: AP VATICAN CITY: Leo XIV visited an Augustinian sanctuary near Rome Saturday in his first outing since being made pope, after telling cardinals he intended to follow his predecessor's path as pontiff, praising Francis's "complete dedication to service". The Chicago-born pontiff paid a "private visit" Saturday afternoon to the Mother of Good Counsel Sanctuary in Genazzano, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of Rome, the Vatican said. Earlier, addressing a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican just two days after being elected the 267th pope, he provided some early clues as to what his priorities and style would be. Leo explained his new choice of name reflected a commitment to social causes while describing himself as St Peter's "unworthy Successor". Operation Sindoor After Pak dials India, both sides agree to stop firing; top military officials to talk on May 12 'Armed forces remain operationally ready': India after ceasefire announcement 'Any future act of terror will ...': India's big stand against Pak Born Robert Francis Prevost, the pope told assembled cardinals a pontiff was "a humble servant of God and of his brothers and sisters, and nothing more than this". He praised Francis's "complete dedication to service and to sober simplicity of life", according to a transcript of the gathering published by the Vatican. "Let us take up this precious legacy and continue on the journey, inspired by the same hope that is born of faith," he told the College of Cardinals. The new pope was given a standing ovation as he entered the conference hall wearing a white papal robe, video released by the Vatican showed. Among the Church priorities championed by Francis, Leo said he intended to uphold "loving care for the least and the rejected" and his "courageous and trusting dialogue with the contemporary world in its various components and realities". He also mentioned "the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community" and growth in "synodality," a top priority of Francis's that sought to open the Church to welcome more voices. Francis, an Argentine Jesuit and the first pope from the Americas, died on April 21 aged 88. Justice, labour The first leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics to come from the United States, Leo told cardinals he chose his papal name as a homage to Leo XIII, a 19th-century pontiff who defended workers' rights. That choice, he said, was because his namesake "addressed the social question in the context of the first great Industrial Revolution". Today, the Church's social teaching is needed "in response to another Industrial Revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour," Leo added. He later headed to Genazzano. Italian television channel TV2000 broadcast footage of him exiting a black SUV and entering the basilica, which dates from the 11th century. The sanctuary preserves an ancient image of the Virgin Mary, which is dear to the Augustinian order and "to the memory of Leo XIII", the Vatican said. Leo is the first pope from the Augustinian order, a religious group with a strong focus on missionary outreach and community, which experts say encourages collaboration and discussion before decision-making. In his first homily to cardinals on Friday, Leo urged the Church to restore the faith of millions around the world. He warned that lack of faith often went hand-in-hand with "the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society." The Augustinian, who was made cardinal by Francis in 2023, is not a globally recognised figure although he had been on many Vatican watchers' lists of potential popes ahead of the conclave. Over the coming days his actions and words will be closely scrutinised. 'Deep faith' On Sunday, he returns to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to give the Regina Coeli prayer to assembled faithful in the square beneath him. Leo plans to meet with foreign diplomats to the Vatican next week and the following Sunday, May 18, he will preside over his inauguration mass at St Peter's Square, expected to draw world leaders and thousands of pilgrims. Cardinals have described Leo as cast in the mold of Francis, with a commitment to the poor and disadvantaged, as well a focus on those hailing from further-flung areas of the Church. But they say his approach may be less direct than the sometimes impulsive Francis, a progressive who shook up the Church during his 12-year papacy. In an interview with Italian daily La Stampa published Saturday, US Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a conservative archbishop of New York, called the new pope "a man of deep faith, rooted in prayer and capable of listening". "This is what gives us hope; not a political programme or a communicative strategy but the concrete testimony of the Gospel," said Dolan.
Int'l Business Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Leo XIV, 'Humble Servant Of God', Visits Sanctuary In First Papal Outing
Leo XIV visited an Augustinian sanctuary near Rome Saturday in his first outing since being made pope, after telling cardinals he intended to follow his predecessor's path as pontiff, praising Francis's "complete dedication to service". The Chicago-born pontiff paid a "private visit" Saturday afternoon to the Mother of Good Counsel Sanctuary in Genazzano, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of Rome, the Vatican said. Earlier, addressing a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican just two days after being elected the 267th pope, he provided some early clues as to what his priorities and style would be. Leo explained his new choice of name reflected a commitment to social causes while describing himself as St Peter's "unworthy Successor". Born Robert Francis Prevost, the pope told assembled cardinals a pontiff was "a humble servant of God and of his brothers and sisters, and nothing more than this". He praised Francis's "complete dedication to service and to sober simplicity of life", according to a transcript of the gathering published by the Vatican. "Let us take up this precious legacy and continue on the journey, inspired by the same hope that is born of faith," he told the College of Cardinals. The new pope was given a standing ovation as he entered the conference hall wearing a white papal robe, video released by the Vatican showed. Among the Church priorities championed by Francis, Leo said he intended to uphold "loving care for the least and the rejected" and his "courageous and trusting dialogue with the contemporary world in its various components and realities". He also mentioned "the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community" and growth in "synodality," a top priority of Francis's that sought to open the Church to welcome more voices. Francis, an Argentine Jesuit and the first pope from the Americas, died on April 21 aged 88. The first leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics to come from the United States, Leo told cardinals he chose his papal name as a homage to Leo XIII, a 19th-century pontiff who defended workers' rights. That choice, he said, was because his namesake "addressed the social question in the context of the first great Industrial Revolution". Today, the Church's social teaching is needed "in response to another Industrial Revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour," Leo added. He later headed to Genazzano. Italian television channel TV2000 broadcast footage of him exiting a black SUV and entering the basilica, which dates from the 11th century. The sanctuary preserves an ancient image of the Virgin Mary, which is dear to the Augustinian order and "to the memory of Leo XIII", the Vatican said. Leo is the first pope from the Augustinian order, a religious group with a strong focus on missionary outreach and community, which experts say encourages collaboration and discussion before decision-making. In his first homily to cardinals on Friday, Leo urged the Church to restore the faith of millions around the world. He warned that lack of faith often went hand-in-hand with "the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society." The Augustinian, who was made cardinal by Francis in 2023, is not a globally recognised figure although he had been on many Vatican watchers' lists of potential popes ahead of the conclave. Over the coming days his actions and words will be closely scrutinised. On Sunday, he returns to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to give the Regina Coeli prayer to assembled faithful in the square beneath him. Leo plans to meet with foreign diplomats to the Vatican next week and the following Sunday, May 18, he will preside over his inauguration mass at St Peter's Square, expected to draw world leaders and thousands of pilgrims. Cardinals have described Leo as cast in the mold of Francis, with a commitment to the poor and disadvantaged, as well a focus on those hailing from further-flung areas of the Church. But they say his approach may be less direct than the sometimes impulsive Francis, a progressive who shook up the Church during his 12-year papacy. In an interview with Italian daily La Stampa published Saturday, US Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a conservative archbishop of New York, called the new pope "a man of deep faith, rooted in prayer and capable of listening". "This is what gives us hope; not a political programme or a communicative strategy but the concrete testimony of the Gospel," said Dolan.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Locals gather for red wine spritz and conclave watch in a cardinal's hometown
Photo:AP SCHIAVON, Italy: Conclave watching turned out to be a perfect aperitivo activity. Caffe Centrale, on the main drag of the Veneto hometown of Cardinal Pietro Parolin , a papal favorite, filled up with locals and journalists awaiting the first sign of smoke on Wednesday. A large TV screen displayed images from St. Peter's Square and the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals were casting the first votes for pope, as locals in the Veneto town of Schiavon, near Vicenza, quaffed glasses of wine. "We're waiting, and we're rooting for him,'' said Giacomo Bonora, raising a glass of the local favorite, a red wine spritz , and using the local nickname for Parolin, "Don Piero." Bonora said that when Parolin returns to the town of 2,600, he asks to be called "Don Piero," the way a parish priest would be addressed rather than "eminence," a cardinal's honorific. Piero is the Veneto dialect for Pietro. Parolin, 70, is a veteran diplomat who was Francis' secretary of state, essentially the Holy See's prime minister and No. 2 to the pope. Outside, a city worker stopped to show the parish sacristan a photo of Parolin when the town celebrated his elevation to secretary of state 12 years ago. Everyone is hopeful, but officials have been instructed not to speak to the media until a new pope is elected. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Highest Earning College Majors—2025 Edition Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads Learn More Undo Angelo Cisotto, the sacristan at the town's St. Margherita parish church, was heading home to keep an eye on the smoke coming out of the chimney. If it is white, it is his job to go and ring the church bells. Cisotto, 84, remembers Parolin as a child, 14 years his junior, and always devout. "He used to dress up as an altar boy, and at home, in his garage, he had a little altar,'' where he would play saying Mass, Cisotto recalled. "He is a very good, very humble and very kind person.'' Back at Caffe Centrale, clients ordered plates of cold cuts as the closed meeting of cardinals dragged on long past the expected hour. TV reporters whose air times had passed headed out for the night. Finally, black smoke emerged. "Tomorrow, we'll do it again," Bonora said. As for Paroline's papal chances, 86-year-old Sebastiano Minuzzo said: "This is a dream, but usually dreams don't come true." Locals recalled that Parolin came regularly to Schiavon before his mother died last summer. His father died when he was 10, and he entered the seminary in nearby Vicenza at 14. For a period, he was a parish priest in the foothills town of Schio before joining the Vatican 's diplomatic corps. "He has such a mind, I can't grasp it,'' said Cisotto, the sacristan. While closely associated with Francis' pontificate, Parolin is much more demure in personality and diplomatic in his approach to leading than the Argentine Jesuit he served - and he knows where the Catholic Church might need a course correction. Many see him as embodying Francis' pastoral message while being more open to conservative points of view. While his career has been spent in Italy, his job as a Vatican diplomat has seen him travel the world, giving him a global perspective. If he were elected, he would return an Italian to the papacy after three successive outsiders: St. John Paul II (Poland), Pope Benedict XVI (Germany) and Francis (Argentina).
