Latest news with #BarbaraMason
The South African
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
DEVELOPING: More black smoke, still no new Pope
Thick black smoke billowed on Thursday from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in a sign that cardinals again failed to elect a new head of the Catholic Church. Among the thousands of Catholics and curious tourists massed in St Peter's Square, there was applause but also sighs at the result, which came after the second and third ballots. The 133 cardinals voting for a successor to Pope Francis as head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics were shut in for the secretive conclave on Wednesday evening. Sequestered away from the world, they communicate their progress by burning their ballot papers and sending up smoke through the chimney of the frescoed 15th-century chapel. Black smoke means no one has secured the minimum two-thirds majority – 89 votes – and white smoke signals the election of the 267th pope. The first black smoke on Wednesday evening arrived some three hours and 15 minutes after the cardinals closed their doors, greeted with some disappointment by the assembled crowds. But many people returned on Thursday, where the red-robed prelates held two more ballots in the morning. They were scheduled to hold another two in the afternoon and then four more on Friday, unless a pope is elected sooner. 'I don't want it rushed – whatever they need to do to make the right decision,' said Barbara Mason, 50, who travelled from Canada for the conclave. She was hoping for a pope who will continue in Francis's progressive footsteps, especially as a champion of the environment and migrants, 'going forward, not going backward'. Francis, a charismatic Argentine reformer who sought to open up the Church during his 12 years as pope, died on April 21 aged 88. Paolo Cabrera, 40, from the Philippines, arrived early at the Vatican with his wife Cynthia to secure a spot as close as possible to St Peter's Basilica, where the new pontiff will be presented to the world from the balcony after the vote. 'It is very, very exciting to be here,' he said. As Filipinos, they said they were rooting for their compatriot Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, one of the favourites – but said that they would be happy with 'anybody appointed by God'. The cardinal electors – all those aged under 80 – spent the night in the Santa Marta guesthouse and were to seek divine inspiration at private mass early on Thursday before starting to vote again. Seated at tables and chairs laid out beneath Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, each cardinal must write down their choice for pope on a ballot paper and take it to the altar, where it is put in a silver urn. After the ballots have been counted, they are burned in a cast iron stove dating back to 1939. Chemicals are added to a second, newer stove, connected to the same flue, which colour the smoke. While their procession into the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday was broadcast live by the Vatican, including on screens in St Peter's Square, the feed cut as soon as they locked the doors. The cardinals had to leave their phones behind and took an oath not to reveal the secrets of the conclave on pain of excommunication – and they will stay until they make a decision. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected in four ballots and Pope Francis in 2013 in five ballots. But experts warn the 2025 conclave – the largest and the most international ever, assembling cardinals from around 70 countries – could take longer. There is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis, with the cardinals representing a range of progressive and conservative traditions within the Church. The challenges facing the 2 000-year-old institution are clear, and the new pope after his election will need to tread carefully amid geopolitical uncertainty, while addressing deep fractions within the Church. There is also the continued fallout from the global clerical sex abuse scandal and, in the West, increasingly empty pews. Around 80 percent of the cardinals voting were appointed by Francis – an impulsive yet energetic champion of the downtrodden. But while some cardinals are looking to a new pope 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. 'The church has many divisions between liberals and conservatives, which are divisions that should not be, because I believe that the Church is universal,' said Juan Benitez, a 37-year-old Colombian. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Dozen Ways to Celebrate a Retro Valentine's Day in L.A.
After a rough January, perhaps some Angelenos would like to roll back the clock this Valentine's Day. From historic venues and classic stars to vintage films and even a little cosplay, feel free to remix this romantic holiday at these retro Valentine's Day experiences. Tell me, have you seen the Chi-Lites? The romantic 70s R&B stars join Barbara Mason, and Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny in a lineup that would make the late Art Laboe 14 at Toyota ArenaThe Young Girls of RochefortA matinee of Jacques Demy's romantic and color-soaked 1964 classic musical The Young Girls of Rochefort will leave you both humming the tunes and hoping for a second 14 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures All aboard the world's greatest art deco cruise ship for an evening with showgirls, swing dancing, a big band and an ocean of fedoras. February 14 at the Queen MaryCasablancaThe American Film Institute ranks the World War II-era Casablanca third on their list of America's greatest movies. You'll rank number one on your date's list after sharing this classic black-and-white tear-jerker with 14 at the Aero Theater The seasonal treats at California Donuts always draw big lines to this retro open-air donut shop that's open all night. Some of their Valentine's donuts are pink on the inside, some are pink on the outside, but they're all sure to bring a blush of pink to the recipient's cheeks. Through February 14 at California DonutsMister RomanticIn addition to being a Grammy, Oscar, and Tony-nominated superstar, John C. Reilly is a heartfelt storyteller and amazing vaudeville song and dance man. His one-man show at Hollywood Forever cemetery about finding a friend is sold-out, but hunting down high-priced tickets through a reseller could be considered an act of love. February 14 at Hollywood ForeverThe Queen of Motown Records makes a rare Southern California appearance. Catch the twelve-time Grammy award-winning icon at Yamaava' Casino, an hour east of L.A. Book a room and treat yourself to a romantic weekend. February 14 at Yamaava' An underground cabaret, live jazz in the ballroom and a 'Sunset Cruise' through the Polynesian paradise of the Pacific Seas lounge await explorers to downtown's historic Clifton's. February 14 at Clifton's RepublicMidnight Screening of So many improbable things had to unfold in the universe for you to be here right now. Imagine how many more stars have to align to find love. Harold and Maude makes a great case for making the most of it while it lasts. A real-life midnight movie on the big screenFebruary 14 and 15th at the Vista TheaterVDay ExperienceIf Jack Skellington, Jason Voorhees and the Lost Boys are receiving your Valentine's cards this year, then you're in luck with the spooky Halloween on VDay experience. A pop-up shopping, food, and photo op experience in Boyle HeightsFebruary 15-16 at Monarch Studios Lookalike ContestThe only movie theater in the leafy bucolic town of Claremont is in danger and the only way fans can save it is by dressing up like Bella and Edward from the Bush-era vampire romance Twilight. All that and Laemmle is having a sweet candy giveaway. Now if the Hallmark Channel doesn't make that into a goth romance, I don't know what's wrong with the 13 at Laemmle Claremont Valentine's Day HoedownParty with the puppets at this chicken fried dance party at L.A.'s legendary Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Enjoy the theater's original 1959 show Something To Crow About while making new friends with the country and western line dancing. February 14 at Bob Baker Marionette Theater
