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RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Seagulls provide levity during conclave at Sistine Chapel
Seagulls have found themselves in starring roles since the live streaming of the Sistine Chapel chimney began at the 2005 conclave. In 2013, during the conclave to elect Pope Francis, a seagull which perched on the chimney, ended up trending on social media. Memes were created and the 'Sistine Seagull', "live tweeted" the conclave from the bird's perspective. As hours rolled by last night - before smoke emerged to signal the result of the first vote - seagulls appeared on camera providing some levity. One gull perched on the roof for a lengthy period, was commended on social media for its patience in waiting for smoke to emerge. As people watched and waited, speculation and conjecture about what was going on inside the Sistine Chapel was rife. Due to the secretive nature of the conclave, it may be difficult to determine what happened on day one. Some questioned if Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, whose meditation inviting the cardinals into a space of prayer and discernment beforehand, ran over the 10 minute allotted time. As time ticked by, others tentatively questioned whether one of the cardinals could have possibly reached a two-thirds majority on the first vote. A situation unheard of for centuries. Or could the Camerlengo Kevin Farrell have decided to go ahead with a second ballot on the night? "It would be a very Irish approach to it all - to get it done," one person remarked. Black smoke eventually billowed from the Sistine Chapel at 8pm Irish time, offering an answer. Cardinals could not reach a two-thirds majority. They would return to the Sistine Chapel for the next round of voting which begins this morning at 9.30am Irish time. If no candidate is elected, they will move to a third ballot before lunchtime and if no one is elected on that ballot, black smoke will again signal that result. The voting process will continue in that vein with smoke rising twice a day. If a cardinal reaches the majority, white smoke will be the first signal that a new pope has been elected. However, considering that there are 133 cardinal electors from around the world - the process is bound to take time. After all, it is the largest number of electors in history. It has led to questions as to whether cardinals will be able to complete the task within three days, as many of them predicted. Or will those watching the Sistine Chapel live stream end up being absorbed by the activity of Vatican seagulls for a bit longer.
RTÉ News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Electing a new pope: glossary of key terms
Cardinals will gather on 7 May in a conclave in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. Here is a brief glossary of the event's key terms: Camerlengo: Between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of his successor, the cardinal Camerlengo takes over the day-to-day running of the Vatican. Dublin-born Kevin Farrell, appointed by Pope Francis in 2019, is the current Camerlengo. Candidates: In theory, any baptised male Catholic can be elected as pope, but the last time a non-cardinal was picked was Pope Urban VI in 1378. Conclave: From the Latin "cum" (with) and "clavis" (key) and meaning a "room that can be locked", this is the closed-door meeting in which cardinals elect the pope. Dean: The conclave is traditionally presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, a position currently held by the Italian Giovanni Battista Re. But as he is over 80 years old, the task falls to Pietro Parolin, who until the Pope's death was secretary of state. Electors: Pope Francis's successor will be elected by cardinals aged 80 or under, in accordance with rules laid down in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. Some 133 are due to vote next week. "Extra omnes": This Latin phrase meaning "everyone out" is used by the master of liturgical ceremonies to order all those not taking part in the conclave to leave the Sistine Chapel. Fisherman's ring: The pope's ring, used in the past to seal documents, is rendered unusable after a pontiff dies or resigns. After the election, the Camerlengo places a new one on the new pope's finger. General congregations: These are meetings prior to the conclave, held behind closed doors, which allow the cardinals to get to know each other better, setting out challenges for the new pope and what attributes he needs. "Habemus Papam": Meaning "we have a pope" in Latin, this is the phrase with which the Church tells the world it has a new leader. Holy Spirit: Catholics believe that the pick of a new pope comes from the Holy Spirit, invoked by the cardinals as they enter the Sistine Chapel. Nomen: The name the newly elected pope chooses for himself, often in homage to a previous pontiff to whom he feels a close affinity. Jorge Bergoglio picked the name Francis as a tribute to St Francis of Assisi. Oath of secrecy: The vow taken by the cardinal electors, as well as by those who serve them during the conclave. Protodeacon: The cardinal who announces the name of the new pope from the loggia of St Peter's Basilica. The current protodeacon is Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. Room of Tears: the freshly elected pope shuts himself in a tiny room adjoining the Sistine Chapel, called the "Room of Tears", where he can give free rein to his emotions. Sistine Chapel: The 15th-century chapel decorated with Michelangelo's frescoes, where the conclave is held. Santa Marta guest house: Where Pope Francis chose to live rather than the papal apartments and where cardinals stay during the conclave. Smoke: Cardinals vote using ballot papers, which are counted before being burned in a stove. If no one wins the necessary two-thirds majority of votes, a chemical is added to blacken the smoke billowing out of the Sistine Chapel chimney. Once a new pope is chosen, a different chemical is added to turn the smoke white, announcing the election to the crowd waiting in St Peter's Square below.
New York Post
26-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
The ‘unofficial' conclave has started, with cardinals privately chatting about Pope Francis' successor
The unofficial conclave has already begun. Cardinals in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral have been having informal discussions about the future leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, a Vatican observer told The Post. 'What's happening now is they're having conversations — some of these cardinals may have only met each other in passing, so they're really getting to know each other first,' said Rev. Patrick Flanagan, chair of St. John's University's theology department. Advertisement 9 Cardinals last entered the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave on Mar. 12, 2013. REUTERS 'But they're also having these informal sessions where they are speaking about how they hope that the next pope will meet the needs that are going to be facing the church.' Any male baptized Catholic can be elected His Holiness, but for centuries only cardinals have been selected. Advertisement Candidates will be judged at the official conclave — a protocol dating back to the 13th century. 'People are taking bets on who he's going to be, how long the conclave is going to be, what his name is going to be,' said Flanagan. 'But I have no idea.' Here is how the process will play out: 9 A conclave to pick the next pope will likely convene in early May. Mike Guillen/NY Post Design Advertisement 9 135 Cardinals are eligible to vote for the next pope. Mike Guillen/NY Post Design Sede vacante: The seat is vacant The procedure for electing a new pontiff begins with 'novemdiales,' nine days of mourning, which begins on the day of his funeral April 26. Conclave commences 15 to 20 days after a pope dies or resigns. 9 Cardinals have allegedly started unofficial talks about who will lead the future's 1.4 billion Catholics. Getty Images Advertisement 9 Pope Francis died on Monday. Getty Images The church enters a period known as 'sede vacante' — a Latin phrase that translates to 'vacant seat' — which lasts until 'the moment the new guy says yes,' Flanagan explained. During this time, the College of Cardinals will temporarily take over the Church, led by the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell. 'He was chosen by the Pope in 2019 as the one who would oversee the church,' explained Flanagan. 'He's actually from Ireland, and when he emigrated to the United States, he became bishop of Dallas.' Major Vatican decision-making is put on hold during this period. The conclave Only 138 of the world's 253 cardinals will be able to serve as electors in the conclave, as no cardinal over the age of 80 can participate in voting. The older popes are only allowed to participate in preliminary meetings. The princes of the Church meet in the famed Sistine Chapel, the sacred Vatican site adorned with Michelangelo's paintings. 9 Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrel signed the official deed of late Pope Francis before closing his casket in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Friday. AP Advertisement The process begins with a mass, then voting takes place every day, morning and afternoon. After every seven ballots, there is break day for prayer. The cardinals hold ballot sessions until one candidate has more than two-thirds of the vote. The voting process could hypothetically end in hours, after the first ballot, if that super majority is reached. Multiple balloting can also go on for days or weeks. The shortest conclave history was in 1503, when Pope Julius II was elected in just under 10 hours. The 2013 papal conclave, when Pope Francis was elected, was one of the shortest in history, lasting just over 24 hours. Advertisement The longest conclave of the last 200 years was in 1831, when it took 51 days to elect Pope Gregory XVI. The longest in history was 33 months to elect Pope Gregory X IN 1268. 9 Cardinal Ruben Salazar Gomez and Cardinal Luis Jose Rueda Aparicio arrive at the Vatican on Friday. REUTERS Once the conclave — held in the Italian language — begins, the cardinals are not allowed to leave the Vatican until they have chosen a new pope. The archbishops sleep in the Casa Santa Marta on the Vatican grounds and won't have access to phones, the internet or newspapers. Advertisement 'Everyone is is sworn to secrecy,' Flanagan said. 'It's respect for the process, but also respect for the man.' White smoke or black? The media has annointed several cardinals as frontrunners, but the vote is far from a fait accompli. 'The church believes that the Holy Spirit does not pick, but inspires these cardinals to choose the man,' Flanagan said. The cardinals cast their secret ballots by saying a prayer and then placing their vote cards in a large gold chalice. The cards have the Latin words 'Eligo in Summum Pontificem' — meaning 'I choose as Supreme Pontiff' — emblazoned on them. Advertisement 9 Cardinal Baldassare Reina sat as faithful pay their respect to Pope Francis lying in state inside St. Peter's Basilica on Friday. AP In the past, huge crowds have swarmed St. Peter's Square as the voting sessions are held so they can keep watch on the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel. If a majority isn't reached, the ballot cards are put in a stove and burned with an additive that produces black smoke, which signals to the world that a pope has not been chosen. If no majority is reached in three days, sessions are suspended for a day. The process then continues in the same format until a new pope is picked. We have a pope! Once a two-thirds majority is reached, 'They ask the man, 'Do you accept?' and he says yes or no. We've never heard any stories about the guy saying no,' said Flanagan. 'And then they ask him, 'What do you want to be called?'' 9 When white smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, a new pope has been elected. REUTERS The secret ballots are burned with an additive that produces white smoke, signaling to the waiting throngs a pope has been elected. The new pontiff sits on a throne inside the chapel as the other cardinals file up one by one to swear obedience. Soon after, the senior cardinal deacon goes out on the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to reveal the identity of the church's next leader. The pope visits the Pauline Chapel to pray for a few minutes before appearing on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square. To announce his arrival, a cardinal says, 'Habemus papam!' — 'We have a pope!'
Time of India
26-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pope Francis' Coffin Sealed In Quiet Ceremony: Prayers, Silence & A Sea Of Mourners At Basilica
Pope Francis' body was sealed in a wooden coffin Friday night, marking the end of a historic three-day public mourning. Around 250,000 mourners filed through St. Peter's Basilica to pay their final respects to the late pontiff. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo, led the private sealing ceremony, accompanied by close church officials and Francis' secretaries. In keeping with the pope's humble wishes, only one simple wooden coffin was used. Inside were personal items like his pallium, papal coins, and a legacy document. The quiet ceremony included hymns, prayers, and silent reflection. As Italy observed a national holiday, crowds swelled for one last farewell. Pope Francis' funeral is set for April 26 at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter's Square.
RTÉ News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Eerie silence fell over Rome ahead of Pope's funeral
There was an eerie silence over St Peter's Basilica as night fell in Rome last night. The ambient sound of thousands making their way to the basilica for three days to pay tribute to Pope Francis had ended. Security began to stop crowds progressing down the main street to St Peter's Square as early as 4pm. They would not make it into the basilica before the 7pm closing time. For the first time in three days, the vast space lay empty and the silence was palpable. Inside, a private prayer service got underway, presided over by the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell. A trusted friend of Pope Francis, Cardinal Farrell placed a silk veil over the Pope's face as part of the liturgical rite. A scroll summarising the life and ministry of the Pope was placed inside the casket before it was blessed. The coffin was then sealed. This morning, pallbearers will carry the coffin from St Peter's Basilica and place it in front of the altar overlooking the square below. The dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re will preside over the Requiem Mass. The Irish delegation will include President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris. Other world leaders including the presidents of Argentina, Italy, France, while US President Donald Trump and former US president Joe Biden will also be there. Cardinals will be seated on the opposite side of the altar from the dignitaries. Several hundred thousand people hailing from all backgrounds will gather to pay their final respects. Following the Mass, the first Argentinian and Jesuit pope will be brought by hearse through the streets of Rome to the place he has chosen to be buried, St Mary Major's Basilica. The hearse carrying Pope Francis's coffin will travel through the heart of Rome "at walking pace", according to the Vatican. A group of 40 people, including migrants, prisoners, homeless and transgender people will welcome the coffin containing the remains of "the Pope of the poor".
