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News24
22-04-2025
- Politics
- News24
How will a new pope be chosen? An expert explains the conclave
The next pope will inherit a mixed situation: a church that has grown stronger in certain areas under Francis, yet which grapples with internal divisions and external challenge. Darius von Guttne r details how the next pope is chosen. Following the death of Pope Francis, we'll soon be seeing a new leader in the Vatican. The conclave – a strictly confidential gathering of Roman Catholic cardinals – is due to meet in a matter of weeks to elect a new earthly head. The word conclave is derived from the Latin con (together) and clavis (key). It means "a locked room" or "chamber", reflecting its historical use to describe the locked gathering of cardinals to elect a pope. Held in the Sistine Chapel, the meeting follows a centuries-old process designed to ensure secrecy and prayerful deliberation. A two-thirds majority vote will be needed to successfully elect the 267th pope. History of the conclave The formalised papal conclave dates back centuries. And various popes have shaped the process in response to the church's needs. In the 13th century, for example, Pope Gregory X introduced strict regulations to prevent unduly long elections. Pope Gregory X brought in the rules to prevent a repeat of his own experience. The conclave that elected him in September 1271 (following the death of Pope Clement IV in 1268) lasted almost three years. Further adjustments were made to streamline the process and emphasise secrecy, culminating in Pope John Paul II's 1996 constitution, Universi Dominici gregis (The Lord's whole flock). This document set the modern framework for the conclave. READ | Riaan de Villiers: Rest well Pope Francis, a prophet who shifted the church In 2007 and 2013, Benedict XVI reiterated that a two-thirds majority of written votes would be required to elect a new pope. He also reaffirmed penalties for breaches of secrecy. The secrecy surrounding the conclave ensures the casting of ballots remains confidential, and without any external interference. The last known attempt at external interference in a papal conclave occurred in 1903 when Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria sought to prevent the election of Cardinal Mariano Rampolla. However, the assembled cardinals rejected this intervention, asserting the independence of the electoral process. How does voting work? The conclave formally begins between 15 and 20 days after the papal vacancy, but can start earlier if all cardinals eligible to vote have arrived. Logistical details, such as the funeral rites for the deceased pope, can also influence the overall timeline. Historically, the exact number of votes required to elect a new pope has fluctuated. Under current rules, a minimum two-thirds majority is needed. If multiple rounds of balloting fail to yield a result, the process can continue for days, or even weeks. After every few inconclusive rounds, cardinals pause for prayer and reflection. This process continues until one candidate receives the two-thirds majority required to win. The final candidates do not vote for themselves in the decisive round. How is voting kept secret? The papal conclave is entirely closed to the public. Voting is conducted by secret ballot within the Sistine Chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the pope's official residence. During the conclave, the Sistine Chapel is sealed off from outside communication. No cameras are allowed, and there is no live broadcast. The cardinals involved swear an oath of absolute secrecy, and face the threat of excommunication if it is violated. This ensures all discussions and voting remain strictly confidential. The iconic white smoke, produced by burning ballots once a pope has been chosen, is the only public signal that the election has concluded. Who can be elected? Only cardinals who are under 80 years of age at the time of conclave's commencement can vote. Older cardinals are free to attend preparatory meetings, but can not cast ballots. While the total number of electors is intended to not exceed 120, the fluctuating nature of cardinal appointments, as well as age restrictions, make it difficult to predict the exact number of eligible voters at any given conclave. Technically, any baptised Catholic man can be elected pope. In practice, however, the College of Cardinals traditionally chooses one of its own members. Electing an "outsider" is extremely rare, and has not occurred in modern times. What makes a good candidate? When faced with criticism from a member of the public about his weight, John XXIII (who was pope from 1958-1963) retorted the papal conclave was "not a exactly beauty contest". Merit, theological understanding, administrative skill and global perspective matter greatly. But there is also a collegial element – something of a "popularity" factor. It is an election, after all. READ | Pope Francis died after suffering stroke, cardiac arrest Cardinals discuss the church's current priorities – be they evangelisation strategies, administrative reforms or pastoral concerns – before settling on the individual they believe is best suited to lead. The cardinal electors seek someone who can unify the faithful, navigate modern challenges and maintain doctrinal continuity. Controversies and criticisms The conclave process has faced criticism for its strict secrecy, which can foster speculation about potential "politicking". Critics argue a tightly controlled environment might not reflect the broader concerns of the global church. Some have also questioned whether age limits on voting cardinals limit the wisdom and experience found among older members. Nonetheless, defenders maintain that secrecy encourages free and sincere deliberation, minimising external pressure and allowing cardinals to choose the best leader without fear of reprisal, or of public opinion swaying the vote. Challenges facing the new pope The next pope will inherit a mixed situation: a church that has grown stronger in certain areas under Francis, yet which grapples with internal divisions and external challenges. Like other religions, the church faces secularisation, issues with financial transparency and a waning following in some parts of the globe. One of the earliest trials faced by the new pope will be unifying the global Catholic community around a shared vision – an obstacle almost every pope has faced. Striking the right balance between doctrine and pastoral sensitivity remains crucial. Addressing sexual abuse scandals and their aftermath will require decisive action, transparency and continued pastoral care for survivors. Practical concerns also loom large. The new pope will have to manage the Vatican bureaucracy and interfaith relations, while maintaining the church's stance on global crises such as migration and poverty – two issues on which Francis insisted mercy could not be optional. The cardinal electors have a tough decision ahead of them. The Catholic community can only pray that, through their deliberations, they identify a shepherd who can guide the church through the complexities of the modern world.
Express Tribune
04-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Daycare owner gets 45 years for toddler's fentanyl death, mother outraged
Listen to article The owner of a Bronx daycare where a 1-year-old boy died from fentanyl exposure was sentenced to 45 years in prison, as the child's devastated mother confronted her in court, saying she could never forgive her. Grei Mendez, 37, the owner of Divino Niño Daycare, trembled in Manhattan federal court as she faced Zoila Dominici, the mother of Nicholas Feliz Dominici, who died in September 2023 after ingesting fentanyl hidden under floor tiles where children played and napped. 'It is not possible to forgive something like this,' Dominici told the court. 'Forty-five years is not enough.' Mendez, who pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, avoided eye contact with Dominici, whose voice broke as she declared she would never forgive her. "Let God forgive you," she said. Mendez Failed to Administer Narcan, Withheld Crucial Information Prosecutors revealed that despite having Narcan, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, in the daycare's medicine cabinet, Mendez never attempted to use it as Nicholas lay unresponsive. Federal prosecutor Maggie Lynaugh said Mendez had 'the key to helping these children, and she didn't use it.' When first responders arrived, Mendez failed to tell them the children may have been suffering from an opioid overdose, even as Nicholas was found lifeless, with blue lips and no pulse, according to court records. Three other children, all under the age of 3, were hospitalized after also being poisoned by the fentanyl stored beneath the playroom's floor tiles. Mendez lied repeatedly about Drugs in the daycare Court records show Mendez and her husband, Felix Herrera Garcia, ran a drug operation from the daycare, where authorities later discovered 11 kilograms of fentanyl and other narcotics. Despite overwhelming evidence, Mendez lied repeatedly to investigators, claiming to know nothing about the drugs. She initially suggested the children may have suffered from a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning. 'Do you think I don't know the danger there?' Mendez told investigators at the time, according to court documents. 'I know how dangerous that is. I'm not stupid. I watch the news. I know that stuff kills.' Mother breaks down as prosecutors detail son's final moments During Monday's sentencing, Dominici sobbed in the courtroom gallery as prosecutors recounted her son's final moments. Her husband, Otoniel Feliz, also addressed the court, saying Mendez 'let my son die' and 'didn't do anything' to save him. 'We didn't just lose Nicholas. We lost our life,' Feliz said. Speaking softly through a Spanish interpreter, Mendez insisted the children's poisoning was an accident. 'It was never my intention,' she told the court. 'Believe me, this has left me traumatized. I cannot erase this from my mind.' Judge: Mendez prioritized fear over saving a life US District Judge Jed Rakoff said Mendez deserved the same 45-year sentence as her husband, as they shared equal responsibility in operating the drug mill that led to Nicholas's death. However, he criticised her failure to act, saying that while her fear of prosecution was understandable, it was not defensible. "You prioritised your own fear over the opportunity to save a life," Rakoff told her. When the sentence was announced, Mendez's head sank into her arms at the defense table, while her relatives and Nicholas's family broke into loud sobs.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
Former NYC daycare owner learns fate following toddler's fentanyl poisoning death
A former Bronx, New York daycare owner has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after a toddler died in her care from ingesting fentanyl in September 2023. The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday that Grei Mendez pleaded guilty in October to charges including conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death. The charges stem from the death of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici, who was exposed to fentanyl at the daycare. Three other children also suffered serious injuries and had to be hospitalized after authorities found two 2-year-old boys and an 8-month-old girl, who were unresponsive, in the basement of the Bronx daycare facility. Nyc Day Care Facility Owner's Husband Arrested In Mexico In Connection To Drug Operation The mother of Dominici, Zoila Dominici, confronted Mendez in court and "she'd never forgive her" for what she let happen to her son, the New York Post reported. Read On The Fox News App "It is not possible to forgive something like this. Forty-five years is not enough," Dominici said during an emotional testimony. "I do not forgive you. Let God forgive you," Dominici continued. During pre-sentencing, it was revealed in a court filing that Mendez had Narcan kits at the daycare, but did not attempt to revive the children, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District. "She had the key to helping these children, and she didn't use it," Maggie Lynaugh, a federal prosecutor, said in court Monday. Vermont Day Care Provider Gets 3 To 10 Years For Baby's Antihistamine Death When first responders arrived, Mendez failed to mention that the kids could be suffering from an opioid overdose, the complaint read. "Grei Mendez operated a daycare out of a basement apartment in the Bronx in which large quantities of deadly fentanyl were mixed, packaged, and stored," Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement. "She put babies as young as eight months old directly in harm's way as they slept, played, and ate in a room where over 11 kilograms of fentanyl was hidden underneath their feet, leading to the death of one child and the poisoning of others." According to the complaint, the indictment, and other documents, from around June 2022 through September 2023, Mendez and others conspired to distribute narcotics out of Divino Niño Daycare in the Bronx. New Hampshire Day Care Workers Sprinkled Melatonin In Children's Food Unbeknownst To Parents, Police Say Officials said Mendez and her co-conspirators maintained more than 11 kilograms of fentanyl and heroin in secret compartments, or traps, located underneath the floor tiles in the playroom of the daycare. The outlet reported that Dominici burst into tears in the courtroom as prosecutors recalled her son's final moments. When asked to address the court, Otoniel Feliz, Dominici's husband, said, "She let my only son die. She didn't do anything." "We didn't just lose Nicholas. We lost our life," Feliz added. The outlet reported that Mendez told the court that "it was never my intention" for the children to be poisoned. "I do want all to know it was an accident," Mendez said, while using a Spanish interpreter. She then claimed to "know the suffering" that the Dominici's were feeling, as she is a mother herself and is being locked away from four children of her own. "Believe me, this has left me traumatized," Mendez said. "I cannot erase this from my mind." One of the conspirators, Mendez's husband, Felix Herrera Garcia, was arrested in September 2023 in Sinaloa, where Mexico's Sinaloa drug trafficking cartel, once run by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, is based. The other conspirators arrested included 38-year-old Renny Antonio Parra Paredes, also known as "El Gallo," and Mendez's neighbor, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, who were both charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death. Brito, like Mendez, was also charged with narcotics distribution resulting in death. "No punishment can make up for a child lost, but today's sentence sends the message that this Office and our law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to bring to justice anyone who uses children as a shield in the drug trade," Podolsky said. Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report. Original article source: Former NYC daycare owner learns fate following toddler's fentanyl poisoning death
Fox News
04-03-2025
- Fox News
Former NYC daycare owner learns fate following toddler's fentanyl poisoning death
A former Bronx, New York daycare owner has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after a toddler died in her care from ingesting fentanyl in September 2023. The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday that Grei Mendez pleaded guilty in October to charges including conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death. The charges stem from the death of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici, who was exposed to fentanyl at the daycare. Three other children also suffered serious injuries and had to be hospitalized after authorities found two 2-year-old boys and an 8-month-old girl, who were unresponsive, in the basement of the Bronx daycare facility. The mother of Dominici, Zoila Dominici, confronted Mendez in court and "she'd never forgive her" for what she let happen to her son, the New York Post reported. "It is not possible to forgive something like this. Forty-five years is not enough," Dominici said during an emotional testimony. "I do not forgive you. Let God forgive you," Dominici continued. During pre-sentencing, it was revealed in a court filing that Mendez had Narcan kits at the daycare, but did not attempt to revive the children, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District. "She had the key to helping these children, and she didn't use it," Maggie Lynaugh, a federal prosecutor, said in court Monday. When first responders arrived, Mendez failed to mention that the kids could be suffering from an opioid overdose, the complaint read. "Grei Mendez operated a daycare out of a basement apartment in the Bronx in which large quantities of deadly fentanyl were mixed, packaged, and stored," Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement. "She put babies as young as eight months old directly in harm's way as they slept, played, and ate in a room where over 11 kilograms of fentanyl was hidden underneath their feet, leading to the death of one child and the poisoning of others." According to the complaint, the indictment, and other documents, from around June 2022 through September 2023, Mendez and others conspired to distribute narcotics out of Divino Niño Daycare in the Bronx. Officials said Mendez and her co-conspirators maintained more than 11 kilograms of fentanyl and heroin in secret compartments, or traps, located underneath the floor tiles in the playroom of the daycare. The outlet reported that Dominici burst into tears in the courtroom as prosecutors recalled her son's final moments. When asked to address the court, Otoniel Feliz, Dominici's husband, said, "She let my only son die. She didn't do anything." "We didn't just lose Nicholas. We lost our life," Feliz added. The outlet reported that Mendez told the court that "it was never my intention" for the children to be poisoned. "I do want all to know it was an accident," Mendez said, while using a Spanish interpreter. She then claimed to "know the suffering" that the Dominici's were feeling, as she is a mother herself and is being locked away from four children of her own. "Believe me, this has left me traumatized," Mendez said. "I cannot erase this from my mind." One of the conspirators, Mendez's husband, Felix Herrera Garcia, was arrested in September 2023 in Sinaloa, where Mexico's Sinaloa drug trafficking cartel, once run by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, is based. The other conspirators arrested included 38-year-old Renny Antonio Parra Paredes, also known as "El Gallo," and Mendez's neighbor, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, who were both charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death. Brito, like Mendez, was also charged with narcotics distribution resulting in death. "No punishment can make up for a child lost, but today's sentence sends the message that this Office and our law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to bring to justice anyone who uses children as a shield in the drug trade," Podolsky said. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
CBS News
04-03-2025
- CBS News
Owner of Bronx day care where toddler died from fentanyl exposure sentenced to 45 years in prison
It has been more than a year since 1-year-old Nicholas Dominici died from ingesting fentanyl at a Bronx day care. On Monday, a federal judge sentenced Grei Mendez, one of the day care's owners, to decades behind bars. Both Mendez and the toddler's mom broke down crying in court during the emotional, hour-long hearing. Dominici's heartbroken parents had said they wanted a sentence of life in prison. However, Judge Jed Rakoff ultimately gave Mendez the same sentence he gave her husband last year: 45 years in prison. Mendez broke down in tears in court as she apologized to the parents and said in Spanish, "My only mistake was entrusting people who were close to me." Her attorney argued that she was not the boss of the drug operation being run from the day care, adding her husband, Felix Herrera-Garcia, was, and she asked the judge and prosecutors to, "Please have some pity on me." Prosecutors said Herrera-Garcia fled through the back alley of the day care with several bags after four children were exposed to fentanyl in September of 2023. After the overdoses, police said they found three kilo presses, more than 2 pounds of fentanyl at the day care, and a trap door with a secret compartment containing more than 5 kilograms of fentanyl and other drugs. Prosecutors argued that Mendez should have done more to try to save the kids, but instead lied to first responders and did not use the Narcan she had at the daycare. In response to Mendez's attorneys highlighting abuse and trauma she had suffered throughout her own life, the judge said, "It is a mitigating factor, but it only goes so far." Mendez said Thursday, "It was an accident" and "I hope that someday I will be forgiven." Dominici's mother said, "Let God forgive her. My son won't return with 'I'm sorry.'" Now that Mendez has been sentenced in federal court, the Bronx District Attorney's Office said it will proceed with its own cases against Mendez, her husband and his cousin. Dominici's parents said they're hoping those cases can result in stronger sentences than the federal cases.
