Latest news with #JorgeBergoglio
New York Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
What the World Needs From Pope Leo
The name alone often speaks volumes. In choosing to reign as Francis, first of that name, Jorge Bergoglio signaled clearly the style of his pontificate, which aspired to the simplicity of the saint of Assisi while offering all sorts of ruptures with tradition. A successor who chose Francis II or, for that matter, John XXIV or Paul VII (after the popes of the Second Vatican Council) would have signaled a further push for liberalization; a successor who opted for Benedict XVII or Pius XIII would have been promising a traditionalist swing. Whereas the name Leo XIV promises, perhaps, some version of the 'peace' that the former Cardinal Robert Prevost invoked in his first words from the papal loggia — peace between the church's contending factions as well as in the wider world. The last Leo was long reigning and popular and remembered fondly by Catholics of varying theological stripes. He's famous for his interventions in 19th-century debates over capitalism and socialism and his support for the revival of Thomist philosophy, a legacy that's neither 'left' nor 'right" but simply Catholic in a way that a divided church struggles to achieve today. Perhaps no pope can achieve it, and certainly there is an interpretation of Leo XIV's election that just emphasizes continuities with the Francis era: He's a Francis appointee who entered the conclave as a favored candidate of some of the previous pope's allies; he's an American who's also a critic, lately, of the Catholic vice president of the United States. One can tell a story where the last point was crucial to his election — where at least some cardinals wanted an anti-Trump American as pope — and where his name promises a less destabilizing but still liberal-leaning papacy. But honestly, after the Francis years, conservative Catholics might welcome even that kind of shift, with a pope who isn't exactly on their side but who also doesn't present himself as their scourge and critic, who doesn't push doctrinal change so hard as to risk schism and who avoids petty wars like Francis' attempt to snuff out the Latin Mass. A pope who tries to rise above the fray and give the church's different factions breathing space, instead of threatening chaos or conflict with every appointment, every synod and every papal interview. That breathing space would be especially useful because the questions liberal and conservative Catholics have been fighting over since the 1960s, while enduringly important, may not be the territory that matters most to the Christian future. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Guardian
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
White smoke signals election of new Roman Catholic pope
Thick white smoke billowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling to the world that the Roman Catholic church has a new pope. The smoke was met with loud applause from the thousands of pilgrims and tourists waiting in St Peter's Square. It means that one of the 133 cardinals inside the chapel has obtained the necessary two-thirds majority required to win the conclave, the secretive centuries-old ritual of electing a new pontiff. The pope was chosen on the second day of voting, after the fourth ballot, although his identity was not immediately made known. When Jorge Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis, was elected in March 2013, his identity was revealed about 45 minutes after the white smoke when he appeared on the balcony above St Peter's Square. Francis died, aged 88, in April. His successor was picked quickly, especially given the large number of cardinals taking part in the conclave. The vast majority were picked by the Argentinian, who cast his net wide around the world. Some have said this could indicate that the new pope is someone who will embrace his outlook and continue his work. But there is no guarantee, particularly given many of the new cardinals represent countries with conservative social attitudes at odds with Francis's style of papacy, which was shaped around a message of acceptance that challenged centuries of church teaching. Francis riled conservative cardinals with his compassion for migrants and refugees, openness towards LGBTQ+ Catholics and demands for action on the climate crisis. Among the frontrunners before the conclave began were Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state; Luis Antonio Tagle, a reformer from the Philippines; Péter Erdő, a traditionalist from Hungary; Robert Sarah, a cardinal from Guinea who criticised Francis's papacy; and the moderate US cardinal Robert Prevost. But as the old papal election saying goes: 'He who enters the conclave as pope, leaves it as a cardinal', because few of those who are frontrunners at the start make it through the successive rounds of voting. A key example of that process came with Francis himself, who in 2013 was not among the frontrunners. During one of the twice-daily pre-conclave meetings, the cardinals agreed that a new pope needed to be capable of 'being a bridge and a guide for a disorientated humanity marked by the crisis of the world order'. Various issues related to the church were discussed during the meetings, including evangelisation, the Vatican's finances, clerical sexual abuse, global conflicts and service to poor people and migrants. A priority for the new pope will be to strengthen the church's unity amid differing views and expectations within the institution and growing polarisation in the wider world. Some observers believe there is a real risk of schism after 20 years in which there have been popes on either end of the spectrum: the traditional/conservative Benedict XVI, and the liberal/progressive Francis. A key area of unity and healing will be the US Catholic church, where Pope Francis was a divisive figure. Some US bishops are avid supporters of Donald Trump while others are dismayed by the president's policies and statements. An early visit to the US may be high on the new pope's agenda. The pontiff plays an important role on the international stage, particularly to ensure that religion does not become a fault line. He will face ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan plus the politically divisive issues of migration, the climate crisis, religious freedom and human rights. The legacy of sexual abuse cast a long shadow over Francis's papacy. He was slow to grasp the scale and systemic nature of the problem, and at first did not understand the pain and anger of survivors. That pain has not gone away, and the new pope's approach will inevitably come under intense scrutiny.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Francis: A life in pictures
This undated file photo made available by Maria Helena Bergoglio shows Jorge Mario Bergoglio as a teenager in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In this 1966 photo released by the El Salvador School, Argentine seminarian Jorge Mario Bergoglio smiles for a portrait at the El Salvador school where he taught literature and psychology, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio gives a Mass outside the San Cayetano church where an Argentine flag hangs behind in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Friday 7 Aug. 2009. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Pope Francis, waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, at the Vatican - Wednesday 13 March 2013. Pope Francis waves from the popemobile as he rides along the Copacabana beachfront on his way to celebrate mass for World Youth Day, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Sunday 28 July 2013. US President Barack Obama, left, meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican - Thursday 27 March 2014. Pope Francis prays at Israel's separation barrier on his way to a mass in Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem - Sunday 25 May 2014. Pope Francis prays in front of the Western Wall, in Jerusalem's Old City - Monday 26 May 2014. Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona greets Pope Francis in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican - Monday 1 Sept. 2014. Pope Francis walks next to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican - Wednesday 10 June 2015. US Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner and others applaud Pope Francis as he arrives to address a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, making history as the first pontiff to do so - Thursday 24 Sept. 2015. President Barack Obama bids farewell to Pope Francis following their meeting at the White House in 2015. Pope Francis dons a Mexican charro style sombrero, in Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo - Saturday 13 Feb. 2016. Pope Francis drinks from a traditional South American cup at the end of his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican - Wednesday 6 April 2016. Pope Francis walks through the gate of the former Nazi German death camp of Auschwitz in Oswiecim, Poland - Friday 29 July 2016. Ivanka Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and President Donald Trump stand with Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican - Wednesday 24 May 2017. Pope Francis is greeted by young children in traditional clothes upon his arrival at Yangon's airport, Myanmar - Monday 27 Nov. 2017. French President Emmanuel Macron goes to hug Pope Francis at the end of their private audience, at the Vatican - Tuesday 26 June 2018. Pope Francis greets people as he arrives at a lunch for the poor, homeless, migrants and unemployed, at the Vatican - Sunday 18 Nov. 2018. Pope Francis twirls a soccer ball he was presented by a member of the Circus of Cuba, during his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican - Wednesday 2 Jan. 2019. Flanked by Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela and first lady Lorena Castillo, Pope Francis arrives at the foreign ministry headquarters Palacio Bolivar, in Panama City - Thursday 24 Jan. 2019. Pope Francis, surrounded by shells of destroyed churches, leads a prayer for the victims of war at Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq, once the de-facto capital of IS - Sunday 7 March 2021. Pope Francis meets a man wearing a Spider-Man costume, who presented him with his mask, at the end of his weekly general audience with a limited number of faithful in the San Damaso Courtyard at the Vatican - Wednesday 23 June 2021. Pope Francis meets with President Joe Biden during a private audience at the Vatican - October 29, 2021. Pope Francis puts on an indigenous headdress during a meeting with Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit, at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church in Maskwacis, near Edmonton, Canada - Monday 25 July 2022. Pope Francis sits as the coffin of late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is carried in St. Peter's Square for his funeral mass, at the Vatican - Thursday 5 Jan. 2023. Pope Francis consoles Serena Subania who lost her daughter Angelica, 5 years old, the day before, as he leaves the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome - Saturday 1 April 2023 after receiving treatment for a bronchitis. Pope Francis gestures as he attends an annual gathering of pro-family organisations at the Auditorium della Conciliazione, in Rome - Friday 10 May 2024. Pope Francis waves faithful after celebrating Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday 31 March 2024. Pope Francis attends an interreligious meeting with young people at the Catholic Junior College in Singapore - Friday 13 Sept. 2024. Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an audience at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City - 11 October 2024. Pope Francis is helped by Vatican Master of Ceremonies, Bishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli as he arrives for a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican on New Year's Day - Wednesday 1 Jan. 2025. Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking Square, at the Vatican - Sunday 19 Jan. 2025. Pope Francis gives the thumbs up as he appears at a window of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Sunday 23 March 2025, where he had been treated for bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia since 14 Feb. 2025. Postcards of Pope Francis are sold outside St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican - Tuesday 1 April 2025. Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla meet Pope Francis at The Vatican - Wednesday 9 April 2025. Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peter's Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi blessing at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican - Sunday 20 April 2025. Pope Francis: 1936 - 2025
Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Conclave live: cardinals reconvene to elect new pope
The cardinals are allowed no communication with the outside world until a new pope is chosen A second vote will be taken this morning First vote took place on Wednesday night, but black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel after the cardinals failed to reach a decision 133 cardinals meet for a second day of the papal conclave to try to elect a new pope Watch live as people wait for smoke declaring the outcome of voting in the Vatican City Chemicals have been used to colour the smoke since 1958 The tradition of burning the cardinals' paper ballots dates back to the 15th century, while the use of white smoke to signal the election of a pope is a modern innovation, introduced in 1914. After confusion caused by grey-looking smoke, the Vatican added a second stove in 2005 that burns chemicals to give a distinctive colour. It connects to a small flue which feeds into the same chimney. Chemicals have been used to colour the smoke since 1958 but the newer stove — used for the first time during the election of Benedict XVI — is fitted with a fan and makes the smoke more visible. A mix of potassium perchlorate, sulphur and anthracene — found in coal tar — is used to turn the smoke black, while potassium chlorate, lactose and pine resin make it white. Error could be to blame for delay One theory for the delay in yesterday's vote decision is that votes had to be recounted or recast after an error. Advertisement In 2013 one cardinal who wanted to vote for Jorge Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis, wrote 'Broglio' by mistake. Why did yesterday's vote take so long? Black smoke yesterday evening indicated that no decision has been made YARA NARDI/REUTERS Conclave watchers are trying to figure out why the result from the first vote on Wednesday took such a long time. The crowd in St Peter's Square waited for more than three hours from the moment the doors of the Sistine Chapel closed at 5.43pm to when black smoke appeared at 9pm, even though the Vatican had said the result could arrive from 7pm. One explanation is that cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, 90, who had the task of delivering a meditation to the electors after the doors closed before leaving them to vote, spoke for far longer than was expected. Another reason is that the record number of cardinals — 133 rather than 115 in 2013 — needed more time to approach the urn one by one and deposit their voting slips, and the many first timers were unsure of the procedure. Black smoke at noon if no consensus If there is no result during the two morning votes, black smoke will be visible at the end of the morning session, meaning from noon local time. Advertisement Similarly, if there is no result at the end of the afternoon session, black smoke will be seen at the end of the session, meaning from 5pm. Four votes scheduled today The new pope, when elected, will appear on the balcony at St Peter's Basilica ANTONIO MASIELLOGETTY From Tom Kington and Philip Willan in the Vatican City The conclave to elect a new pope enters its second day today, with four votes — two in the morning and two in the afternoon — following a single, initial vote yesterday afternoon which produced no result. The 133 voting cardinals who were due to leave their Vatican residence for the Sistine Chapel at 7.45am must return a two-thirds majority vote — meaning 89 votes — to elect a new pope. Possible occasions to look out for white smoke pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, meaning a pope has been elected, are from 10.30am, noon, 5.30pm and 7pm, the Vatican has said.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The History Behind the Papal Smoke, Explained
The conclave to pick a new pope is a secretive process, but the public gets updated on the outcome of every vote when either black or white smoke fills the sky above the Vatican Black smoke means the cardinals did not come to a two-thirds consensus, while white smoke means a new pope has been elected Some chemical additives have been added to the burnt ballots to avoid any possible confusion over the smoke's color After every vote during the conclave to pick Pope Francis's successor, either black or white smoke will fill the sky above the Vatican. Although the voting takes place behind closed doors and is notoriously secretive, this longstanding tradition is a way to inform the public of the outcome of the vote. Black smoke (fumata nera) means the voting cardinals did not come to a two-thirds consensus. White smoke (fumata bianca), on the other hand, means a new pope has been elected. Related: What Is a 'Conclave' and How Does It Work? An Expert Demystifies the 'Secret' Process That Decides the Next Pope (Exclusive) The smoke tradition is not nearly as old as the papacy itself or even the Sistine Chapel, where the voting takes place. The special chimney that gets temporarily installed every conclave dates back to the 1700s, according to — and as the BBC points out, since the Sistine Chapel is a work of art itself, installation can be a delicate process. "This is such a precise process because if one thing goes wrong, it's not just a technical failure - it becomes an international incident," structural engineer Kevin Farlam told the outlet. Guido MARZILLA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty White smoke in 2013 announced that Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope White smoke in 2013 announced that Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope Related: Conclave to Pick New Pope 'Will Be Short,' Predicts Cardinal: 'I Think There Is a Consensus' Burning ballots after they've been counted, which truly ensures their secrecy, dates back to the 1400s, according to although historian Frederic J. Baumgartner told the outlet that the tradition likely began way earlier. The Irish News reported that the use of white smoke only came about during the 1914 conclave, which ended up choosing Pope Benedict XV. The use of black smoke, however, can be traced to the 1800s. Related: What Did Conclave Get Right and Wrong About Picking the New Pope? Fact-Checking the Oscar-Winning Movie However, as conclaves came and went, it became difficult to control the color of the smoke. In 2005, after previous conclaves ended up releasing gray-looking smoke and confusing onlookers, the Vatican adopted a new strategy. The smoke still comes from the burning of ballots, but it is now also combined with chemical additives from another stove. That same year, which resulted in the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican also began ringing bells as confirmation that a new pope has been chosen. The BBC reported that black smoke is created by a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene and sulphur, while white smoke is created with potassium chlorate, lactose and rosin. Read the original article on People
