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Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Papal conclave: Cardinals speak out on challenges new pope will face
Two cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church who will be voting in the upcoming papal conclave sat down with ABC News to discuss the challenges facing the church that the new pontiff will have to face and shared glimpses of the election process. Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2019, said the clergymen of the Catholic Church are "united in their task" to select a new pope. The cardinals, who have been getting to know one another in Rome following the days of Pope Francis' funeral, are not engaging in any kind of behind-the-scenes debates about issues of the church, Czerny said. "This is not a political convention. We're not dealing and wheeling in order to create a consensus. We are entering spiritually, prayerfully, having listened to one another as deeply as we can," he said. Czerny declined to say whether he wants a new pope whose views align with those of Francis nor would he discuss possible candidates for the next pontiff, but when asked what the church needs most at this time, he said: "It's very important that we're here in 2025, not 12 years ago or not 100 years ago, but now." Once elected, Czerny said the new pope will face challenges regarding artificial intelligence, the proliferation of wars and the climate crisis. MORE: Cardinal predicts next week's conclave 'will be short' "These are all things in which the church is involved because we're everywhere and these are the things that are affecting people's lives," Czerny said. Cardinal Chibly Langlois, the first and only cardinal from Haiti who was appointed in 2014 by Francis, told ABC News he is looking for a pope who will be able to tackle issues like technology, the sex abuse scandals in the church, interreligious dialogue, along with outreach to young people and isolated communities. "If we try to understand what awaits the next pope, inside the church, outside the church and around the world, that will help guide the next pope," Langlois said. Czerny said members of the clergy are listening to young people who want a more inclusive church, saying "inclusivity is another word for Catholic." "It's part of what the Church is by its nature. And Pope Francis has been very good at opening the doors in the sense that people feel welcome, people feel included there. I'm sure that will continue," Czerny told ABC News. Czerny, who said he has not been following the media coverage of the conclave, is urging others to not worry about who the next pope will be. MORE: What exactly is the conclave? Here's what to know about how the next pope is elected "Every time there's a new Holy Father, there's this certain anxiety or disorientation," Czerny said. "Right now, it's a feeling of emptiness, an empty time. So I know there's reasons maybe to feel a bit anxious, but there's no reason for anxiety. Pray and be hopeful and when we discover who is the new Holy Father, let's all rally to help him." Overall, Langlois — who did not disclose who he will be voting for during the conclave — said the church "cannot talk about the next pope without talking about the legacy that Pope Francis left us." "He opened this workshop of transformation, of transparency when it comes to governance, we'll have to bear that in mind," Langlois said. "We must complete what he started." The papal conclave will begin on Wednesday, May 7, according to the Vatican. In total, 133 cardinals will be voting during this conclave, the most electors ever, with 108 of them being appointed by Pope Francis. Ten are from the United States. Papal conclave: Cardinals speak out on challenges new pope will face originally appeared on
04-05-2025
- Politics
Papal conclave: Cardinals speak out on challenges new pope will face
ROME -- Two cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church who will be voting in the upcoming papal conclave sat down with ABC News to discuss the challenges facing the church that the new pontiff will have to face and shared glimpses of the election process. Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2019, said the clergymen of the Catholic Church are "united in their task" to select a new pope. The cardinals, who have been getting to know one another in Rome following the days of Pope Francis' funeral, are not engaging in any kind of behind-the-scenes debates about issues of the church, Czerny said. "This is not a political convention. We're not dealing and wheeling in order to create a consensus. We are entering spiritually, prayerfully, having listened to one another as deeply as we can," he said. Czerny declined to say whether he wants a new pope whose views align with those of Francis nor would he discuss possible candidates for the next pontiff, but when asked what the church needs most at this time, he said: "It's very important that we're here in 2025, not 12 years ago or not 100 years ago, but now." Once elected, Czerny said the new pope will face challenges regarding artificial intelligence, the proliferation of wars and the climate crisis. "These are all things in which the church is involved because we're everywhere and these are the things that are affecting people's lives," Czerny said. Cardinal Chibly Langlois, the first and only cardinal from Haiti who was appointed in 2014 by Francis, told ABC News he is looking for a pope who will be able to tackle issues like technology, the sex abuse scandals in the church, interreligious dialogue, along with outreach to young people and isolated communities. "If we try to understand what awaits the next pope, inside the church, outside the church and around the world, that will help guide the next pope," Langlois said. Czerny said members of the clergy are listening to young people who want a more inclusive church, saying "inclusivity is another word for Catholic." "It's part of what the Church is by its nature. And Pope Francis has been very good at opening the doors in the sense that people feel welcome, people feel included there. I'm sure that will continue," Czerny told ABC News. Czerny, who said he has not been following the media coverage of the conclave, is urging others to not worry about who the next pope will be. "Every time there's a new Holy Father, there's this certain anxiety or disorientation," Czerny said. "Right now, it's a feeling of emptiness, an empty time. So I know there's reasons maybe to feel a bit anxious, but there's no reason for anxiety. Pray and be hopeful and when we discover who is the new Holy Father, let's all rally to help him." Overall, Langlois — who did not disclose who he will be voting for during the conclave — said the church "cannot talk about the next pope without talking about the legacy that Pope Francis left us." "He opened this workshop of transformation, of transparency when it comes to governance, we'll have to bear that in mind," Langlois said. "We must complete what he started." The papal conclave will begin on Wednesday, May 7, according to the Vatican. In total, 133 cardinals will be voting during this conclave, the most electors ever, with 108 of them being appointed by Pope Francis. Ten are from the United States.
Khaleej Times
22-04-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Pope Francis spent final day working, despite doctors' orders
After spending more than five weeks in hospital for a bout of double pneumonia, doctors told Pope Francis he needed two months' rest — but the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics kept working right to the end. On Easter Sunday, the day before his death aged 88, Francis made his first prolonged public appearance since February, entering St. Peter's Square in a white popemobile to greet cheering crowds. And for only the second time since leaving hospital on March 23, the Pope also met on Sunday with foreign leaders, welcoming US Vice-President JD Vance to his residence for a brief encounter. "I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill," Vance wrote on X. "May God rest his soul." Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his family also had a brief meeting with Francis on Sunday. "It was a brief moment, but profoundly touching, a meeting of kindness, smiles, and blessing," Plenkovic said in a statement on Monday. For someone in convalescence after a prolonged illness, Francis was working himself hard. Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official who was close to Francis, said he did not think Francis pushed himself irresponsibly, and needed to move about. "Absolute rest isn't healing," Czerny said. "He balanced convalescence with his being the Bishop of Rome." Czerny said the Pope was devoted to his work leading the world's Catholics. Citing an instruction Francis often gave Catholic bishops to make sure they were close to their flocks, Czerny said: "He died with the smell of the sheep on him." Austen Ivereigh, a biographer of Francis who also wrote a book with the Pope in 2020, said the pontiff "listened carefully to his doctors' advice but his first priority was his mission of presence." Francis, said Ivereigh, was "a master of timing." "He made sure we had a Pope for Easter and kept up his mission of presence to the last," said the biographer. Pope's time in hospital During his time in hospital, Francis had suffered severe breathing crises, which his doctors later said had nearly killed him. The Vatican said on Monday evening that the Pope had died of a stroke and subsequent, irreversible cardiovascular arrest. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announcing the death on the Vatican's TV channel earlier on Monday, said Francis had died at 7:35 a.m. (0535 GMT). Since returning from hospital, Francis had 24-hour care from a nurse, the Vatican said previously. The Pope was receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose overnight, and during the day as needed. During his stay in hospital, the Pope also used non-invasive mechanical ventilation, involving the placement of a mask over his face to help push air into his lungs. He was no longer using ventilation after leaving hospital, the Vatican said. Easter message In his last public appearance on Sunday, Francis said only a few words, wishing a happy Easter in a raspy voice to about 35,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square. In a traditional Easter message, read by an aide, Francis reiterated his frequent call for a ceasefire in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the enclave "deplorable". The Pope also called on Palestinian militant group Hamas to release its remaining hostages and condemned what he said was a "worrisome" trend of antisemitism in the world. Father Gabriel Romanelli, from the Gaza parish the Pope called regularly during the Israel-Hamas war, told Vatican News: "The Pope called us for the last time on Saturday evening, shortly before the Easter Vigil began, while we were praying the Rosary. He told us that he was praying for us, he blessed us, and he thanked us for our prayers in his favour." As he toured the square in his popemobile on Sunday, people lined the aisles to get close to him, many holding aloft national flags and shouting "viva il papa!" (long live the pope!). Some offered babies for him to bless. Italy's Family Affairs Minister Eugenia Roccella said Francis had given his all, to the end. The Pope, she said in a statement, "chose not to spare himself, transmitting in his suffering, physical closeness, a message about his whole papacy."
Daily Maverick
22-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Pope Francis spent final day working, despite doctors' orders
Doctors had ordered two-months rest after surviving pneumonia Pope balanced convalescence with duties, senior cardinal says 'He made sure we had a pope for Easter,' says biographer By Joshua McElwee On Easter Sunday, the day before his death aged 88, Francis made his first prolonged public appearance since February, entering St. Peter's Square in a white popemobile to greet cheering crowds. And for only the second time since leaving hospital on March 23, the pope also met on Sunday with foreign leaders, welcoming U.S. Vice President JD Vance to his residence for a brief encounter. 'I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,' Vance wrote on X. 'May God rest his soul.' Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his family also had a brief meeting with Francis on Sunday. 'It was a brief moment, but profoundly touching, a meeting of kindness, smiles, and blessing,' Plenkovic said in a statement on Monday. For someone in convalescence after a prolonged illness, Francis was working himself hard. Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official who was close to Francis, said he did not think Francis pushed himself irresponsibly, and needed to move about. 'Absolute rest isn't healing,' Czerny said. 'He balanced convalescence with his being the Bishop of Rome.' Czerny said the pope was devoted to his work leading the world's Catholics. Citing an instruction Francis often gave Catholic bishops to make sure they were close to their flocks, Czerny said: 'He died with the smell of the sheep on him.' Austen Ivereigh, a biographer of Francis who also wrote a book with the pope in 2020, said the pontiff 'listened carefully to his doctors' advice but his first priority was his mission of presence.' Francis, said Ivereigh, was 'a master of timing.' 'He made sure we had a pope for Easter and kept up his mission of presence to the last,' said the biographer. During his time in hospital, Francis had suffered severe breathing crises, which his doctors later said had nearly killed him. The Vatican said on Monday evening that the pope had died of a stroke and subsequent, irreversible cardiovascular arrest. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announcing the death on the Vatican's TV channel earlier on Monday, said Francis had died at 7:35 a.m. (0535 GMT). A FINAL FEW WORDS Since returning from hospital, Francis had 24-hour care from a nurse, the Vatican said previously. The pope was receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose overnight, and during the day as needed. During his stay in hospital, the pope also used non-invasive mechanical ventilation, involving the placement of a mask over his face to help push air into his lungs. He was no longer using ventilation after leaving hospital, the Vatican said. In his last public appearance on Sunday, Francis said only a few words, wishing a happy Easter in a raspy voice to about 35,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square. In a traditional Easter message, read by an aide, Francis reiterated his frequent call for a ceasefire in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the enclave 'deplorable'. The pope also called on Palestinian militant group Hamas to release its remaining hostages and condemned what he said was a 'worrisome' trend of antisemitism in the world. Father Gabriel Romanelli, from the Gaza parish the pope called regularly during the Israel-Hamas war, told Vatican News: 'The pope called us for the last time on Saturday evening, shortly before the Easter Vigil began, while we were praying the Rosary. He told us that he was praying for us, he blessed us, and he thanked us for our prayers in his favour.' As he toured the square in his popemobile on Sunday, people lined the aisles to get close to him, many holding aloft national flags and shouting 'viva il papa!' (long live the pope!). Some offered babies for him to bless. Italy's Family Affairs Minister Eugenia Roccella said Francis had given his all, to the end. The pope, she said in a statement, 'chose not to spare himself, transmitting in his suffering, physical closeness, a message about his whole papacy.'
AsiaOne
22-04-2025
- Health
- AsiaOne
Pope Francis spent final day working, despite doctors' orders
VATICAN CITY — After spending more than five weeks in hospital for a bout of double pneumonia, doctors told Pope Francis he needed two months' rest — but the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics kept working right to the end. On Easter Sunday (April 20), the day before his death aged 88, Francis made his first prolonged public appearance since February, entering St Peter's Square in a white popemobile to greet cheering crowds. And for only the second time since leaving hospital on March 23, the pope also met on Sunday with foreign leaders, welcoming US Vice President JD Vance to his residence for a brief encounter. "I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill," Vance wrote on X. "May God rest his soul." Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his family also had a brief meeting with Francis on Sunday. "It was a brief moment, but profoundly touching, a meeting of kindness, smiles, and blessing," Plenkovic said in a statement on Monday. For someone in convalescence after a prolonged illness, Francis was working himself hard. Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official who was close to Francis, said he did not think Francis pushed himself irresponsibly, and needed to move about. "Absolute rest isn't healing," Czerny said. "He balanced convalescence with his being the Bishop of Rome." Czerny said the pope was devoted to his work leading the world's Catholics. Citing an instruction Francis often gave Catholic bishops to make sure they were close to their flocks, Czerny said: "He died with the smell of the sheep on him." Austen Ivereigh, a biographer of Francis who also wrote a book with the pope in 2020, said the pontiff "listened carefully to his doctors' advice but his first priority was his mission of presence". Francis, said Ivereigh, was "a master of timing". "He made sure we had a pope for Easter and kept up his mission of presence to the last," said the biographer. During his time in hospital, Francis had suffered severe breathing crises, which his doctors later said had nearly killed him. The Vatican said on Monday evening that the pope had died of a stroke and subsequent, irreversible cardiovascular arrest. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announcing the death on the Vatican's TV channel earlier on Monday, said Francis had died at 7.35am (2335 GMT). A final few words Since returning from hospital, Francis had 24-hour care from a nurse, the Vatican said previously. The pope was receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose overnight, and during the day as needed. During his stay in hospital, the pope also used non-invasive mechanical ventilation, involving the placement of a mask over his face to help push air into his lungs. He was no longer using ventilation after leaving hospital, the Vatican said. In his last public appearance on Sunday, Francis said only a few words, wishing a happy Easter in a raspy voice to about 35,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square. In a traditional Easter message, read by an aide, Francis reiterated his frequent call for a ceasefire in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the enclave "deplorable". The pope also called on Palestinian militant group Hamas to release its remaining hostages and condemned what he said was a "worrisome" trend of antisemitism in the world. Father Gabriel Romanelli, from the Gaza parish the pope called regularly during the Israel-Hamas war, told Vatican News: "The pope called us for the last time on Saturday evening, shortly before the Easter Vigil began, while we were praying the Rosary. He told us that he was praying for us, he blessed us, and he thanked us for our prayers in his favour." As he toured the square in his popemobile on Sunday, people lined the aisles to get close to him, many holding aloft national flags and shouting "viva il papa!" (long live the pope!). Some offered babies for him to bless. Italy's Family Affairs Minister Eugenia Roccella said Francis had given his all, to the end. The pope, she said in a statement, "chose not to spare himself, transmitting in his suffering, physical closeness, a message about his whole papacy." [[nid:717063]]
