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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'.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
The Conclave is coming: British cardinals arrive for secret gathering to select the new Pope
A British cardinal was among the first to arrive at the Vatican yesterday as they began to 'check in' for the start of the conclave to elect the next Pope. Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, 79, is one of three British cardinals who will be involved in electing the next Pope once the voting process begins this afternoon. The 133 cardinals eligible to vote yesterday descended on the Vatican to check into their accommodation. They normally reside in the Vatican's Santa Marta guesthouse, which has en-suite bathrooms and hotel-style room service, but with representatives from 70 countries across five continents, this conclave is the largest ever. As a result, some cardinals will be housed at Santa Marta Vecchia, a building next door usually typically used to accommodate Vatican officials. As the lots were drawn to sort out room allocation yesterday, Cardinal Radcliffe was one of the first to set the ball rolling – jumping out of a car and pulling a small suitcase behind him. He smiled and waved but refused to be drawn on the secret ballot which will elect a new leader for the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. Born in London, Cardinal Radcliffe was made a cardinal by Pope Francis last December and was among the one of the last named before the Argentine born Pontiff died on Easter Monday aged 88. Lots have been drawn to sort out room allocation and Cardinal Radcliffe was one of the first to set the ball rolling – jumping out of a car and pulling a small suitcase behind him Bookies have him as an outsider of 30-1 to be Pope and before becoming a cardinal he was master of the Dominican Order and has a close connection with Oxford University. He is a widely respected and popular theologian and is seen as an ally of the late Pope, who would continue in his vein and is not a traditionalist. Following Pope Francis's death last month Cardinal Radcliffe was asked if he would take the top job and said: 'I believe the Holy Spirit is far too wise to even think of me for the shortest moment.' His arrival at the Vatican marks the beginning of one of the most secretive democratic processes in the world. On Monday afternoon, Vatican News confirmed that 170 Cardinals, including 132 with the right to vote, participated in the 11th General Congregation - a high-level pre-conclave meeting. Bookies have Cardinal Radcliffe as an outsider of 30-1 to be Pope and before becoming a cardinal he was master of the Dominican Order and has a close connection with Oxford University Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said key themes included the faith of migrants, ethnocentrism, ongoing conflicts across Asia and Africa, and the Church's future in a fractured world. 'The cardinals outlined the figure of a pastoral Pope,' Bruni noted, 'with a focus on dialogue and building relationships.' Bruni initially said that cardinals would be asked to leave their mobile phones at their Vatican residence, Santa Marta, insisting that they wouldn't be confiscated. But just hours later at an evening briefing, he said that they would hand their phones over at Santa Marta and only get them back at the end of the conclave. Now, as the Catholic Church gets ready to elect its new leader, the Vatican will deploy signal jamming around the Sistine Chapel and the residences to prevent electronic surveillance or communication outside the conclave. The Vatican gendarmes will oversee security measures. In one of the most tightly controlled events in the modern religious world, conclave protocol ensures that every corner of the Vatican involved in the papal election is locked down - from the private buses that ferry cardinals between residences and the Chapel, to the meals served by laypeople sworn to silence. The conclave's duration is anyone's guess. Some last a day, others stretch for weeks. But one thing is certain: the world will know the moment a new Pope is chosen, when a puff of white smoke curls from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, followed by the famous Latin declaration, 'Habemus Papam.'
