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BBC News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Cardinal reveals what it was like to be part of conclave to choose Pope Leo
Being sealed off from the world in the conclave to choose the new Pope was "immensely peaceful", England and Wales's most senior Roman Catholic has told the Vincent Nichols, leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, was one of 133 cardinals who were shut into the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and later elected Pope Leo XIV on told BBC Breakfast on Saturday that nobody in the highly-secretive meeting was saying who to vote for or who to not vote for, adding that there was "no rancour" or "politicking" among the cardinals."It was a much calmer process than that and I found it actually a rather wonderful experience," he added. Conclaves have take place in the Sistine Chapel since the 15th Century and cardinals must have no communication with the outside world until a new Pope is elected. The recent conclave came after the death of Pope Francis on 21 79-year-old Cardinal Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, said that his mobile phone was taken off him, adding that he found he had "more time on my hands just to be prayerful, just to reflect, just to be still, rather than being constantly agitated... or prompted by what might be coming in" on his phone."For me, one of the experiences of these last few days was to learn a bit of patience, to just take this step by step," he said."There was a calmness, a bit of solemnity," he continued, adding that everyone he spoke to when in it was "peaceful and just wanting to do this well". There is no timescale on how long it takes for a conclave to elect a new Pope, with previous ones in 2005 and 2013 lasting two days. The conclave that elected Pope Leo lasted for one day."I think it was a short conclave in part because Pope Francis left us with a good inheritance," the cardinal said."He left a college of cardinals who were dedicated, who had this desire for the church to be more missionary, and that led us forward actually very, very easily to the decision that we made."Pope Leo will be formally inaugurated at a mass in St Peter's Square on 18 May, which delegations from countries around the world will Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, will attend on behalf of King Charles, Buckingham Palace confirmed on about the new Pope, Cardinal Nichols said Pope Leo is "very decisive" in a "quiet way", adding that he has seen him "make decisions which disappoint people but don't destroy them"."A good thing about a pope is if he's able to say, 'No', to you when he thinks something is not right and then give you a hug so you don't go away offended, and I think he's got that ability to do both those things, which is very important."
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Black smoke confirms no pope elected in first conclave voting round
The wait for a new pope goes on after black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel following the first secret vote as the conclave began. A group of 133 cardinal electors began their behind-closed-doors meeting on Wednesday afternoon. It is expected voting will resume on Thursday, and up to four rounds of voting can take place each day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Cardinals, mostly dressed in distinctive bright red vestments, heard at a special mass on Wednesday of the 'choice of exceptional importance' they must make in electing the 267th pope. A new pope requires a two-thirds majority in the voting, and white smoke will be emitted from the specially erected chimney of the Sistine Chapel to confirm a pontiff has been chosen. There are three UK cardinals taking part in the conclave, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is Irish-born, is seen as an American cardinal having ministered mainly in the US. Cardinal Nichols had called on people to pray for himself and other cardinals as they embark on the secret voting process, adding that he feels 'quite intimidated' knowing the world is watching to see who they choose. The voting cardinals, those aged under 80 who are the only ones eligible to cast a ballot, were urged to 'invoke the help of the Holy Spirit' to help them elect a pope 'whom the (Catholic) Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history'. Addressing them in St Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said: 'To pray, by invoking the Holy Spirit, is the only right and proper attitude to take as the cardinal electors prepare to undertake an act of the highest human and ecclesial responsibility and to make a choice of exceptional importance. 'This is a human act for which every personal consideration must be set aside, keeping in mind and heart only the God of Jesus Christ and the good of the Church and of humanity.' The pontiff – believed to be someone called to be the successor to St Peter, who was the first pope – will need to be a person who can 'awaken the consciences of all and the moral and spiritual energies in today's society, characterised by great technological progress but which tends to forget God', Cardinal Battista Re added. Following a centuries-old tradition, cardinals are cut off from all communications with the outside world while they take part in the anonymous voting process. In a livestream from the Sistine Chapel, the electors could each be seen taking an oath pledging secrecy on their vote and what happens at conclave. At around 4.45pm UK time, a Vatican official declared 'extra omnes', the Latin phrase telling non-cardinals to leave, with the large brown doors of the chapel shut shortly after. The livestream cut to crowds in St Peter's Square in front of St Peter's Basilica, some of whom waved when they spotted they were on camera. This conclave is thought to be one of the most diverse of any meeting of cardinals before, representing some 70 countries and hailing from places such as Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga which had not had a cardinal before. Pope Francis had appointed some 108 of the 133 cardinals who will choose his successor. The next pope must be someone who can bring together disparate groups within the Catholic Church, an emeritus professor of Catholic theology at the University of Bristol said. Professor Gavin D'Costa said: 'This conclave is more universal in representative terms than any other in the history of the Church, even if it is also lacking in balance – having more European cardinals than any other single group, but with a dwindling Catholic population in Europe. 'The priority will be to select a pope who embodies the common good, who can unite disparate groups within Catholics, and provide a vision of the Church that can be conducive to peace, co-operation and justice in a broken world.' Francis was vocal on politics, speaking out against war and climate change, as he urged more focus on the poor and downtrodden of the world. His funeral last month drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, including world leaders such as US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Such was Francis's popularity, he was dubbed by many to have been 'the people's pope'.
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
All eyes on Sistine Chapel for smoke as secret conclave begins to elect new pope
All eyes are on Vatican City for the sign of a new pope, as cardinals processed into the Sistine Chapel to begin the secret conclave meeting. The 133 electors, mostly dressed in distinctive bright red vestments, each took an oath pledging secrecy in their vote and about what happens in conclave. At around 4.45pm UK time, a Vatican official declared 'extra omnes', the Latin phrase telling non-cardinals to leave, with the large brown doors of the chapel shut shortly after. The Vatican livestream cut to crowds in St Peter's Square in front of St Peter's Basilica, some of whom waved when they spotted they were on camera and many of whom are likely to be eagerly anticipating a smoke signal. Smoke indicating whether or not the 267th pope has been chosen could come from the specially-erected chimney of the Sistine Chapel as early as Wednesday evening. At a special mass earlier in the day cardinals were reminded of the 'weighty decision' they must make. If black smoke rises into the air over St Peter's Square, it will confirm no-one achieved the required two-thirds majority, and voting will resume on Thursday. Up to four votes a day can take place from then, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, with white smoke confirming a new pope has been chosen. There are three UK cardinals taking part in conclave – Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche. Cardinal Nichols had called on people to pray for himself and other cardinals as they embark on the secret voting process, adding that he feels 'quite intimidated' knowing the world is watching to see who they choose. The voting cardinals – those aged under 80 who are the only ones eligible to cast a ballot – were urged to 'invoke the help of the Holy Spirit' to help them elect a pope 'whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history'. Addressing them in St Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said: 'To pray, by invoking the Holy Spirit, is the only right and proper attitude to take as the cardinal electors prepare to undertake an act of the highest human and ecclesial responsibility and to make a choice of exceptional importance. 'This is a human act for which every personal consideration must be set aside, keeping in mind and heart only the God of Jesus Christ and the good of the Church and of humanity.' The pontiff – believed to be someone called to be the successor to St Peter, who was the first pope – will need to be a person who can 'awaken the consciences of all and the moral and spiritual energies in today's society, characterised by great technological progress but which tends to forget God', Cardinal Battista Re added. Following a centuries-old tradition, cardinals are cut off from all communications with the outside world while they take part in the anonymous voting process. Cardinal Battista Re said the late Pope John Paul II had once expressed the hope that 'during the hours of voting on this weighty decision, Michelangelo's looming image of Jesus the Judge would remind everyone of the greatness of the responsibility of placing the 'supreme keys' (Dante) in the correct hands'. This was a reference to Michelangelo's intricate painting of the 'The Last Judgment' in the chapel, which cardinals stood below as they took an oath pledging secrecy in their vote and about what happens in conclave. This conclave is thought to be one of the most diverse of any meeting of cardinals before, representing some 70 countries and hailing from places like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga which had not had a cardinal before. Pope Francis had appointed some 108 of the 133 cardinals who will choose his successor. The next pope must be someone who can bring togetherdisparate groups within the Catholic Church, an emeritus professor of Catholic theology at the University of Bristol said. Prof Gavin D'Costa said: 'Although politics and power exist within the conclave, like any large institution and as shown in the recent film Conclave, the primacy of prayer by the cardinals – and their chief concern for the common good of the Church – should be kept clear. 'This conclave is more universal in representative terms than any other in the history of the Church, even if it is also lacking in balance – having more European cardinals than any other single group, but with a dwindling Catholic population in Europe. 'The priority will be to select a Pope who embodies the common good, who can unite disparate groups within Catholics, and provide a vision of the Church that can be conducive to peace, cooperation and justice in a broken world.' Francis was outspoken on politics, speaking out against war and climate change, as he urged more focus on the poor and downtrodden of the world. His funeral last month drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, including world leaders such as US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Such was Francis's popularity, he was dubbed by many to have been 'the people's pope'.
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
UK cardinal's final reflections before entering conclave to elect new pope
One of the UK's most senior Catholic leaders appealed for prayers as he and other cardinals prepared for the secret voting process to elect a new pope. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who is one of more than 130 cardinal electors who entered the conclave on Wednesday, said he feels 'quite intimidated' by the global attention focused on the election process. Following a special mass in St Peter's Basilica, the group entered the Sistine Chapel, cutting off all contact with the outside world, until white smoke rises into the air in Vatican City to confirm there is a new pope. Up to four votes will be held each day, except for the first day, as proceedings will not get underway until the afternoon. Cardinal Nichols, who is the leader of England and Wales' Catholics, has been in Rome since shortly after the death of Pope Francis and described getting to know his fellow cardinals during lengthy meetings in the days since. The cardinal, who is also Archbishop of Westminster, said that before going into the conclave, 'we will have met almost 10 times in the formal meetings of the Congregation of Cardinals'. 'These meetings, which have been long and during which we have been very attentive to the contributions from cardinals across the world, now lead us to the conclave at which only those under 80 who will vote for the next pope in the Sistine Chapel attend. 'During these days we have got to know each other and to appreciate the variety of gifts, insights and dedication among us. It is a truly universal church and a reflection of the breadth and diversity of human experience.' This conclave will have more cardinals from Africa and Asia than previous meetings, mostly chosen by the late Francis. Cardinal Nichols, who is taking part in his first conclave, has previously spoken of the weight on the shoulders of the electing cardinals, knowing theirs is a choice which will have significant consequences for the Church on the world stage. On the eve of the meeting, he said: 'Going into the conclave, I feel quite intimidated knowing that the outcome of this election is awaited by people all over the world and of many faiths. 'The voice of the pope, especially following Pope Francis, can serve as a call to everyone to fashion a society more fitting to the dignity of every human. That is a big call.' He said cardinals are entering the meeting 'in a profound spirit of prayer and attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit who will, I am sure, guide our decisions'. The cardinal, from Liverpool, added: 'I do hope that Catholics and indeed all people will say a prayer asking for God's blessing at this important moment.' Asked about his thoughts on the kind of qualities necessary for the top role in the Church, he said: 'I hope that the next pope will be, in his own manner of acting and speaking, an attractive expression of the invitation of God in Jesus Christ for all people to know that they are loved by God and destined for glory.' He has previously effectively ruled himself out of the running to be the next pontiff, describing himself as 'too old, not capable'. The cardinals have a 'hugely responsible task' ahead of them and will not want to appear divided in their efforts, according to one UK theologian. Cardinal Nichols is one of five cardinals across the UK and Ireland, although only three – himself, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche – are younger than 80 and therefore of voting age. Professor Anna Rowlands, who spent two years seconded to the Vatican during Francis's papacy, said the cardinals will want to choose someone who can lead the Church 'into a new moment' rather than simply replacing a man whose popularity saw him dubbed 'the people's pope'. The professor of Catholic social thought and practice at Durham University said: 'The cardinals will have had just over a week to meet and discuss openly their priorities and to try to work together to discern who they think God is calling to be the successor to St Peter. 'In their minds, this isn't so much a replacement for Francis as a moment where they are trying to work out which of them could lead the Church into a new moment. 'Formal and informal meetings have been preparing them for that hugely responsible task of voting in conclave from May 7. And the eyes of the world will be watching. 'No-one can be sure of the length of the conclave itself but one can assume the cardinals would prefer days rather than weeks. They will want to choose very carefully but also appear united rather than divided.' A two-thirds majority is required for someone to be elected. The anonymous ballots are burned after voting, with black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel indicating no one has been elected, but white smoke confirming a new pope has been chosen. What is a conclave? A conclave refers to the secret meeting of cardinals who will gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote for the next pope. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it comes from the Latin meaning a room that can be locked with a key. Vatican News – the news website connected to the Church in Rome – said 133 cardinals will take part in this conclave, which will begin on May 7. The day will begin with mass attended by all voting cardinals in St Peter's Basilica, before they enter the Sistine Chapel – and are cut off from communication with the outside world – to begin voting in the afternoon. How long might it take? That is anybody's guess. Each day, aside from the first, cardinals can vote four times – twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. Both of the most recent conclaves, in 2005 to elect Pope Benedict and 2013 to elect Pope Francis, lasted just two days. This conclave could have begun on May 5, but the delayed starting date of May 7 might allow the cardinals to get to know one another better and find consensus on a candidate or at least the frontrunners. Who is the next pope likely to be? Technically, any baptised Catholic man could become the next pontiff, but it is highly unlikely the chosen one would be anyone other than a cardinal. Only cardinals who were aged under 80 on the day of the pope's death are eligible to vote, but older cardinals not sitting in conclave could be elected. While there has been much speculation as to the frontrunners, one expert described this conclave as 'totally unpredictable'. UK theologian Professor Anna Rowlands said this is because the make-up of this College of Cardinals is 'very different from anyone that's been here to elect a pope before', with higher than usual numbers of electors from Africa and Asia, chosen by Pope Francis. Catholic commentator Georgia Clarke said there is 'a tension between wanting a scholar and wanting a pastor'. 'We saw with Pope Benedict we very much had a scholar, and then in Pope Francis we very much had a pastor. Obviously it would be great if we could have both.' There must be some favourites, though? As the meeting is secret, it really is just speculation. But among the names being mentioned as possible successors are Cardinal Luis Tagle, a 67-year-old from the Philippines who was said to be Francis's pick for the first Asian pope. Others include Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, the Archbishop of Budapest; Cardinal Reinhard Marx, 71, the Archbishop of Munich and Freising; and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, an Italian who has served as Pope Francis's secretary of state since 2014. What about the UK and Ireland's cardinals? 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. Cardinal Nichols told reporters he was 'too old, not capable', while Cardinal Radcliffe said he believed the Holy Spirit was 'far too wise to even think of me (as pope) for the shortest moment'. Scotland currently 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. How will we know when a new pope has been elected? All eyes will be on the colour of the smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The ballots are burned after voting – with black smoke being emitted to indicate no one has been elected, while white smoke confirms a new pontiff. A two-thirds majority is required for a new pope to be elected. Catherine Wallis-Hughes, from the Catholic Voices charity mainly involving lay people in the Church, described it as 'really beautiful' that everyone will find out at the same time – 'the world's media and someone watching on their mobile phone in Guinea-Bissau, everyone who has access to the internet all together can see that white smoke'. Once a new pope accepts his election, it is usual that he would appear fairly quickly thereafter on the front balcony of St Peter's Basilica which overlooks St Peter's Square. An announcement in Latin of 'Habemus Papam' – meaning 'we have a pope' is made alongside the new pontiff's appearance.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
As Conclave begins Cardinal Vincent Nichols faces 'big call'
Cardinal facing 'big call' as conclave begins 13 minutes ago Share Save Paul Burnell BBC News Share Save Reuters Cardinal Nichols took an oath of secrecy not to reveal anything about the conclave The leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales said he and his fellow cardinals face a "big call" as the secret voting process to elect a new pope begins. Cardinal Vincent Nichols is one of more than 130 electors who will be secluded in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel during the conclave, with no contact with the outside world until they have chosen the next pontiff. The Merseyside-born Archbishop of Westminster said he has been "getting to know fellow cardinals" - many of whom are complete strangers to each other. "I feel quite intimidated knowing that the outcome of this election is awaited by people all over the world and of many faiths", he said. The conclave - which is Latin for locked room - begins in the afternoon with each each cardinal taking an oath of secrecy. Only those under the age of 80 are permitted to vote in the historical election ceremony, which lasts until white smoke rises into the air in Vatican City to confirm there is a new pope. 'Truly universal' Cardinal Nichols said the cardinals will have met "almost ten times" before the conclave in a series of meetings known as the Congregation of Cardinals. They have been long meetings, "during which we have been very attentive to the contributions from cardinals across the world," the 79-year-old said. The cardinals sleep in the five-storey guesthouse Casa de Santa Marta, close to St Peter's Basilica in the Vactican City. It was built by Pope John Paul II in 1996 especially to house cardinals during the conclave and was where Pope Francis decided to live after his election in 2013. Crosby-born Cardinal Nichols has been in staying in the Catholic seminary the Venerable English College in Rome since shortly after the death of Pope Francis last month. Unlike other popes, the late pontiff gave his cardinals few opportunities to meet as a group so with more cardinals from Africa and Asia than previous conclaves they have been trying to get acquainted. He said: "During these days we have got to know each other and to appreciate the variety of gifts, insights and dedication among us. "It is a truly universal church and a reflection of the breadth and diversity of human experience. "I feel quite intimidated knowing that the outcome of this election is awaited by people all over the world and of many faiths." Reuters The stove in the Sistine Chapel where white smoke will be released once a new pope is chosen
