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The Journal
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Explainer: When will we see the white smoke and a new pope?
Diarmuid Pepper in Rome CATHOLICS FROM ALL over the world waited, and waited, and waited some more last night for black smoke to emerge from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Everyone was expecting black smoke, because in the first round of voting in the conclave, achieving the two-thirds majority needed to become the new leader of the Catholic Church is verging on impossible. The crowds had been informed by Vatican observers to expect black smoke before 8pm – black smoke was spotted for the first time in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis at 7.41pm. A priest takes the weight off his feet in St Peter's Square while awaiting the black smoke Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo But instead, it was 9pm before the black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. So why the long wait? This is the largest conclave in history with 133 cardinal electors – cardinals aged 80 and under when a pope dies or resigns a vote. This means there are 18 extra voting cardinals this time round than in 2013 – one of whom is voting from his sickbed at the Santa Martha guesthouse. Lots were drawn yesterday to see which cardinal would have to travel between the Sistine Chapel and the guesthouse to gather this vote. But this doesn't quite explain it. When the master of papal ceremonies and Archbishop Diego Ravelli proclaimed 'Extra omnes' ('everyone out,' in Latin) from the Sistine Chapel yesterday, all non-voting cardinals left, except for Ravelli himself and 90-year-old Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa. Archbishop Diego Ravelli says, Extra omnes, (everyone out). After everyone has left, the door closes and the conclave begins Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Before the voting begins, and with everyone else locked out, someone gives a special meditation to the voting cardinals on the seriousness of their duties. When the meditation is concluded, both of these men depart the Sistine Chapel. Last week, the cardinals chose Cantalamessa for this task, but he is not known for brevity. Indeed, there are reports that what was supposed to be a 15-minute pep talk turned into a 50-minute sermon. These reports caused some concern because cardinals are meant to take an oath of secrecy, with the penalty being excommunication from the Church. And besides, v oting cardinals have had their phones confiscated. However, Vatican insider and Pope Francis's biographer Austen Ivereigh, who reported the long sermon, noted that Cantalamessa is not an elector and isn't in the conclave. For those getting very excited about breaking oaths and so on: Cantalamessa was not an elector. He wasn't in the conclave. He gave his ferverino and left. The porters outside, similarly not bound by any oaths, because also not in conclave, noted the time he came out. — Austen Ivereigh (@austeni) May 8, 2025 'The porters outside, similarly not bound by any oaths, because also not in conclave, noted the time he came out.' So what will happen today? This morning is when the conclave starts proper after cardinals have had an opportunity to sleep on their decision after having seen how others voted. Advertisement Cardinals vote two times in the morning, break for lunch, then have two further rounds of voting in the afternoon. If there is no pope elected in the first round of voting this morning, cardinals immediately proceed with another vote and it is after this second ballot that the crowd will see black or white smoke. The same goes for the afternoon voting – if there is a two-thirds consensus after the first round of balloting in the afternoon, we will see white smoke – otherwise, we won't have an indication as to how voting went until after the second round. Group of faithful arrive at St. Peter's Square on the second day of the conclave Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Pope Francis noted in his memoir, Hope, that during the conclave, the first round of voting often involves 'a vote for a friend, for a person of respect…' However, some front-runners and strong candidates will have emerged and cardinals have had the entire night to reflect on their vote and the thoughts of others. This morning, cardinals begin to put their cards on the table and they have two ballots, before a break for lunch. In the first round of voting this morning, the field will start to take shape and then from the third round of balloting onwards, the viable candidates become more clear. Francis remarked that in the 2013 conclave, the 'situation' within the first two morning ballots was 'clearly fluid, uncertain, and for this reason there was nothing that particularly surprised me'. So when will a pope be elected? Probably not this morning. The last time a pope was elected on the third ballot was in 1939 with Pope Pius XII. In 2005, the conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI took four ballots (the first ballot on the first afternoon of voting). For Francis, it was the fifth ballot (the second ballot on the first afternoon of voting). In 2013, the white smoke to signal the election of Francis was seen at 7.06pm. However, it wasn't until around 8.15pm that Francis appeared to the crowds in St Peter's and the waiting crowd got to greet their new pope. he newly elected Pope Francis being presented to the crowd at St Peter's in 2013 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo This hour-long wait is because the cardinals congratulate the new pope and pass on words of advice. One cardinal embraced Francis to say: 'Don't forget the poor'. The new pope also goes to the sacristy in the Sistine Chapel to be fitted with papal attire for their first appearance from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica. It's called the 'room of tears', because tears are often shed here when the new pope begins to feel the weight of the responsibility that has been placed upon them. For example, Benedict XVI said his head began to spin when he realised he would become pope and that it felt like a 'guillotine' was falling on him. So around an hour after we see the famous white and hear the ringing of the bells of St Peter's, we will hear 'habemus papam' and see the new pope for the first time when he appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. 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LBCI
07-05-2025
- General
- LBCI
Doors of Sistine Chapel close, conclave begins
The doors of the Sistine Chapel closed on Wednesday, signalling the beginning of the conclave in which 133 cardinals will elect the successor to Pope Francis, according to a live video broadcast by the Vatican. At approximately 17:45 (1545 GMT), the master of ceremonies, Diego Ravelli, shut the heavy doors from the inside of the famous chapel after calling out in a solemn voice the Latin phrase "Extra Omnes," ordering all those not involved in the vote to leave. AFP
Al Arabiya
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Cardinals begin conclave to elect new pope in majesty of Sistine Chapel
Catholic cardinals who will choose the next pope were locked behind the heavy wood doors of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, sequestered from the world to elect the man they hope can unite a diverse but divided global Church. In a ritual dating back to medieval times, 133 cardinal electors walked slowly into the chapel before taking an oath of perpetual secrecy under the gaze of the stern Christ depicted in Michelangelo's Last Judgement fresco, which adorns the chapel. Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Vatican's master of ceremonies, then pronounced the Latin command 'Extra omnes!' (Everyone out!), telling all those not involved in the conclave to leave. The chapel's doors were slammed shut, allowing the cardinals to hold their first ballot to look for a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month. No pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries and voting could continue for several days before one man receives the necessary two-thirds majority to become the 267th pontiff. There will be only one ballot on Wednesday. Thereafter, there can be as many as four votes a day. During a formal procession into the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals beseeched nearly 100 men and women believed to reside in heaven to pray for them as they prepare to make the momentous decision. The only expected signal from the cardinals during the conclave will come in the form of smoke from a chimney atop the chapel, as the clerics burn their ballots. Black smoke will mark an inconclusive vote; white smoke and the pealing of bells will signal that the 1.4-billion-member Church has a new leader. 'Watchful care' over the world At a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday before entering the conclave, the cardinals prayed that God would help them find a pope who would exercise 'watchful care' over the world. In a sermon, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re told his peers they must set aside 'every personal consideration' in choosing the new pontiff and keep in mind 'only ... the good of the Church and of humanity.' In recent days, cardinals have offered different assessments of what they are looking for in the next pope. While some have called for continuity with Francis' vision of greater openness and reform, others have said they want to turn the clock back and embrace traditions. Many have indicated they want a more predictable, measured pontificate. A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries were expected to enter the Sistine Chapel, up from 115 from 48 nations in the last conclave in 2013 – growth that reflects efforts by Francis during his 12-year reign to extend the reach of the Church. No clear favorite has emerged, although Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the front-runners. However, if it quickly becomes obvious that neither can win, votes are likely to shift to other contenders, with the electors possibly coalescing around geography, doctrinal affinity or common languages. Among other potential candidates are France's Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary's Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost and Italy's Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The cardinal electors are all aged under 80. Re, who cannot take part in the conclave as he is 91, suggested the cardinals should look for a pope who respected the Church's diversity. 'Unity does not mean uniformity, but a firm and profound communion in diversity,' he said in his sermon. The average length of the last 10 conclaves was just over three days and none went on for more than five days. The last conclave, which picked Francis in 2013, lasted just two days. The cardinals will be looking to wrap things up quickly again this time to avoid giving the impression they are divided or that the Church is adrift. Some 80 percent of the cardinal electors were appointed by Francis, increasing the possibility that his successor will in some way continue his progressive policies, despite strong pushback from traditionalists. Among their considerations will be whether they should seek a pope from the global South where congregations are growing, as they did in 2013 with Francis, from Argentina, hand back the reins to Europe or even pick a first US pope.
Asharq Al-Awsat
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Cardinals Begin Conclave to Elect New Pope in Majesty of Sistine Chapel
Catholic cardinals who will choose the next pope were locked behind the heavy wood doors of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, sequestered from the world to elect the man they hope can unite a diverse but divided global Church. In a ritual dating back to medieval times, 133 cardinal electors walked slowly into the chapel before taking an oath of perpetual secrecy under the gaze of the stern Christ depicted in Michelangelo's Last Judgement fresco, which adorns the chapel. Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Vatican's master of ceremonies, then pronounced the Latin command "Extra omnes!" (Everyone out!), telling all those not involved in the conclave to leave. The chapel's doors were slammed shut, allowing the cardinals to hold their first ballot to look for a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month. No pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries and voting could continue for several days before one man receives the necessary two-thirds majority to become the 267th pontiff. There will be only one ballot on Wednesday. Thereafter, there can be as many as four votes a day. The only expected signal from the cardinals during the conclave will come in the form of smoke from a chimney atop the chapel, as the clerics burn their ballots. Black smoke will mark an inconclusive vote; white smoke and the pealing of bells will signal that the 1.4-billion-member Church has a new leader. 'WATCHFUL CARE' OVER THE WORLD At a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday before entering the conclave, the cardinals prayed that God would help them find a pope who would exercise "watchful care" over the world. In a sermon, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re told his peers they must set aside "every personal consideration" in choosing the new pontiff and keep in mind "only ... the good of the Church and of humanity". In recent days, cardinals have offered different assessments of what they are looking for in the next pope. While some have called for continuity with Francis' vision of greater openness and reform, others have said they want to turn the clock back and embrace traditions. Many have indicated they want a more predictable, measured pontificate. A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries were expected to enter the Sistine Chapel, up from 115 from 48 nations in the last conclave in 2013 - growth that reflects efforts by Francis during his 12-year reign to extend the reach of the Church. No clear favorite has emerged, although Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the front-runners. However, if it quickly becomes obvious that neither can win, votes are likely to shift to other contenders, with the electors possibly coalescing around geography, doctrinal affinity or common languages. Among other potential candidates are France's Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary's Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost and Italy's Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The cardinal electors are all aged under 80. Re, who cannot take part in the conclave as he is 91, suggested the cardinals should look for a pope who respected the Church's diversity. "Unity does not mean uniformity, but a firm and profound communion in diversity," he said in his sermon. The average length of the last 10 conclaves was just over three days and none went on for more than five days. The last conclave, which picked Francis in 2013, lasted just two days. The cardinals will be looking to wrap things up quickly again this time to avoid giving the impression they are divided or that the Church is adrift. Some 80% of the cardinal electors were appointed by Francis, increasing the possibility that his successor will in some way continue his progressive policies, despite strong pushback from traditionalists. Among their considerations will be whether they should seek a pope from the global South where congregations are growing, as they did in 2013 with Francis, from Argentina, hand back the reins to Europe or even pick a first US pope.
South China Morning Post
07-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Cardinals begin conclave to elect new pope, as Sistine Chapel doors slam shut
Catholic cardinals who will choose the next pope were locked behind the heavy wood doors of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, sequestered from the world to elect the man they hope can unite a diverse but divided global church. Advertisement In a ritual dating back to medieval times, 133 cardinal electors walked slowly into the chapel before taking an oath of perpetual secrecy under the gaze of the stern Christ depicted in Michelangelo's Last Judgement fresco, which adorns the chapel. Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Vatican's master of ceremonies, then pronounced the Latin command 'Extra omnes!' (Everyone out!), telling all those not involved in the conclave to leave. The chapel's doors were slammed shut, allowing the cardinals to hold their first ballot to look for a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month. No pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries and voting could continue for several days before one man receives the necessary two-thirds majority to become the 267th pontiff. Advertisement There will be only one ballot on Wednesday. Thereafter, there can be as many as four votes a day.
