Latest news with #PierbattistaPizzaballa
Sky News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Conclave live: It's black smoke again as cardinals divided on new pope after third ballot
Seven cardinals most discussed overnight, according to Vatican sources Seven cardinals were most discussed overnight, according to Vatican sources. While this is no guarantee that any of them will win, we know the first vote was significant for solidifying who had support and who didn't. The names are: Pietro Parolin Pietro Parolin is widely considered one of the frontrunners for the next papacy. The 70-year-old Italian has been the Vatican's secretary of state, a role referred to as the "deputy pope", since 2013 and was closely associated with Pope Francis. If he is elected, it will be the first time in almost 50 years that the role has gone to a native Italian. He is also acting as Dean of the College of Cardinals while the conclave is ongoing as the usual dean, Giovanni Battista Re, is aged over 80. Pierbattista Pizzaballa Another Italian, Cardinal Pizzaballa is the current head of the Vatican's Latin office in Jerusalem and has spent more than three decades in the city. He has devoted himself to the Middle East and most recently the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Pablo Virgilio David Pope Francis made the 66-year-old Filipino a cardinal on 7 December 2024, making him one of the later additions to the conclave. Angel Fernandez Artime Born in 1960, Artime was another cardinal put in place by Francis. The Spaniard became a cardinal in March last year. Cristobal Lopez Romero The Moroccan is another one of those brought in by Francis to the conclave. He has described not wanting to be pope himself so much, Crux reported, that if he saw any chance of it happening, he'd start running from Rome until he hit Sicily. Robert Francis Prevost The American was brought to the Vatican in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world - one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. But despite this power, there has been previous reluctance to elect an American pope - could that be about to change? Jean-Marc Aveline The 66-year-old is Archbishop of Marseille and is part of the more progressive camp within the cardinals, aligned with Francis.
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Conclave live: Cardinals set for more talks after black smoke signals no pope chosen on first day
Cardinals in the secret conclave are set for another round of discussions on Thursday after failing to select the next pope on the first day of voting. Black smoke has poured from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signalling the 133 cardinals taking part have voted but have not yet reached a two-thirds consensus required to elect a new leader of the Catholic Church. The smoke is the only public sign of what is happening during the Papal Conclave, after the cardinals handed in their phones and took oaths of secrecy while the Vatican shut down mobile phone towers to protect the deliberations. The conclave began with a mass in St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning, and senior cardinal Giovanni Battista Re prayed for the cardinals to be enlightened to choose 'the Pope our time needs'. Standing before Michelangelo's famous vision of heaven and hell, the cardinals swore to carry out the solemn duty of selecting a new Pope. Cardinals Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle have been among the favourites to succeed Pope Francis, who made liberal changes to the Catholic Church during his 12-year papacy. Key frontrunners to be the next pope: Pierbattista Pizzaballa According to insiders, another Italian could be in the running to be the next pope: Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. The 60-year-old is one of the younger cardinals tipped to potentially succeed Pope Francis, but he has emerged as a favourite largely thanks to his role as leader of the Catholics in the Holy Land, at a time when events in Israel and Gaza are at the forefront of global politics. Choosing Pizzaballa would be a significant geopolitical statement by the Church, particularly because the Church has at times been highly critical of Benjamin Netanyahu. Pope Francis was known to highly respect him, and Pizzaballa is known for being a successful diplomat and a leading Biblical scholar. Jabed Ahmed8 May 2025 05:00 Key frontrunners to be the next pope: Pietro Parolin Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin has appeared on nearly every shortlist as a contender to be the next pope. Parolin has been the Vatican's secretary of state for the past 12 years, the next most senior member of the Catholic Church after the Pope. His role as the Vatican's top diplomat has brought him into contact with cardinals around the world, both in their home countries and in Rome, meaning he is well-known to all 132 other electors going into the conclave. The 70-year-old, originally from a small town in the northern Italian region of Veneto, is said to be a steady administrator who could bring calm after three at-times tempestuous papacies. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reports he could already have the support of 50 cardinals ahead of their lock-up this afternoon. Who is Pietro Parolin? The soft-spoken diplomat who could soon be Pope Pietro Parolin has emerged on nearly every shortlist as an obvious papal contender Jabed Ahmed8 May 2025 04:00 A guide to history's most unusual Conclaves A guide to history's most unusual Conclaves - as the next papal election begins The history of papal elections features some surprising incidents Jabed Ahmed8 May 2025 03:00 Who could be the new Pope? The cardinals in the running Who could be the new Pope? The cardinals in the running ahead of the Conclave Four frontrunners have emerged as the most likely contenders known as papabile to succeed Pope Francis but at least a dozen others are in strong contention Jabed Ahmed8 May 2025 02:00 Watch | Cardinals take 'oath of secrecy' 8 May 2025 01:00 Challenges facing the new pope | The role of women Pope Francis did more to promote women to leadership positions in the Vatican than any pope before him, and his successor will have to decide whether to continue that legacy, accelerate it or back down and change course. The issue isn't minor. Catholic women do much of the church's work in schools and hospitals and are usually responsible for passing the faith to the next generation. But they have long complained of second-class status in an institution that reserves the priesthood for men. Nuns are leaving in droves, either through attrition or simply quitting, leading to questions about the future of female religious orders. The Vatican says the number of nuns globally has been haemorrhaging about 10,000 per year for over a decade, with their numbers at 599,229 at the end of 2022, the last year for which there are statistics. In 2012, there were 702,529 nuns globally. The new pope will have to address women's expectations for not only a greater say in church governance but also greater recognition. Jabed Ahmed7 May 2025 23:59 What the new Pope's name will say about their plans for the Catholic Church What the new Pope's name will say about their plans for the Catholic Church Four favourites have emerged to succeed Pope Francis but it is unclear which cardinal will be picked Jabed Ahmed7 May 2025 23:00 Who is Cardinal Tagle? The youthful 67-year-old tipped as a favourite to be the next Pope Who is Cardinal Tagle? Youthful 67-year-old tipped as a favourite to be the next Pope Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle likes to be called by his nickname 'Chito' Jabed Ahmed7 May 2025 22:00 How long does the conclave take? The longest conclave in history lasted nearly three years, but it's reasonable to assume that this conclave will be much, much shorter. Cardinals this week said they expect a short conclave, though it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting. A first round produced darks dark smoke that rose into Wednesday's night sky, sending a disappointed crowd to disperse in all directions. For most of the past century, it has taken between three and eight ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days — was elected on the third ballot in 1978. His successor, St. John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013. Jabed Ahmed7 May 2025 21:46 The history of papal names For most of the Catholic Church's first millennium, popes used their given names. The first exception was the 6th century Roman Mercurius, who had been named for a pagan god and chose the more appropriate name of John II. The practice of adopting a new name became ingrained during the 11th century, a period of German popes who chose names of early church bishops out of 'a desire to signify continuity," said the Rev. Roberto Regoli, a historian at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University. For many centuries, new popes tended to choose the name of the pope who had elevated them to cardinal. John was the most popular, chosen by 23 popes, followed by Benedict and Gregory, each with 16. Only starting in the mid-20th century did new popes begin to choose names signaling the aim of their papacy, Regoli said. 'Even now, as we are waiting for the new pope, the name with which he will present himself will help us to understand the horizon towards which he wants to proceed," Regoli said. Some names have been out of use for centuries, like Urban or Innocent. 'I don't think anyone will pick Innocent,″ Imperatori-Lee said, given the abuse and other scandals that have rocked the church. 'I don't think that would be the right choice." Jabed Ahmed
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
New Pope Update: Cardinals to Begin Largest Ever Conclave
World New Pope Update: Cardinals to Begin Largest Ever Conclave Vaitcan. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in the New Hall of the Synod at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the last time before the start of the conclave starting in the afternoon of Wenesday, May 7, when they will elect the successor of Pope Francis. AP In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, 133 cardinal electors have launched the largest conclave in modern times to select the next pope. The world is waiting to see who will replace Pope Francis after the gathering, which reflects his expansive, international appointments to the College of Cardinals, making it markedly more diverse and less Eurocentric than past conclaves. What Time Does the Conclave Begin? The Wednesday ceremonies began with mass at St. Peter's Basilica at 10 a.m. local time. It was conducted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who also led Pope Francis' funeral service. At around 4:15 p.m., the cardinals will gather in the Pauline Chapel to form a procession to the Sistine Chapel while singing the hymn Veni Creator, an invocation to the Holy Spirit. The conclave will officially begin when all nonessential personnel are ordered to leave the chapel following the pronouncement of "extra omnes" ("everyone out") by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Diego Ravelli. From that point, cardinals are isolated from the outside world, with no phones or TVs, until a pope is selected, with Swiss Guards stationed at every entrance of the Sistine Chapel. What Happens in the Conclave? Voting takes place twice each morning and twice each afternoon. Ballots are distributed by Vatican officials and collected in strict secrecy. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. If no one secures that on the first ballot, the cardinals return to their guesthouse, Casa Santa Marta, for dinner and informal discussions before voting resumes the next day. Daily routines continue, with meals and prayers structured between voting sessions. Notably, kitchen staff and waiters are also sworn to secrecy and confined to Vatican grounds for the duration of the conclave. After each round of voting, ballots are burned. If no pope is selected, chemicals produce black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. White smoke, accompanied by the ringing of bells, signals that a new pope has been elected. The elected cardinal is then asked if he accepts the role. Upon acceptance, he immediately becomes pope and selects a papal name. When can we expect to see a Conclave smoke signal? Cardinals do not have to vote on Wednesday but they can. A possible time for first smoke on Thursday would be after 10:30 a.m., if it is white smoke (meaning a new pope has been elected) and after 12 p.m. if no pope is elected, Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni told Vatican News. In the event of an inconclusive vote, Cardinals would return to Santa Marta for lunch at 12:30 p.m. and then back to the Apostolic Palace at 3:45 p.m. to resume voting in the Sistine Chapel at 4:30 p.m. If a pope is elected in an afternoon vote, white smoke can be expected after 5:30 p.m., or if a pope is not elected, black smoke should appear at around 7 p.m. Why It Matters This conclave not only sets a record in participation but also comes at a moment of division within the Church. The cardinals are split between supporters of Pope Francis' reforms and traditionalists who have been vocal about reversing his policies. The next pope will shape the spiritual direction and administrative governance of the Catholic Church, the largest in the world, during a critical moment of transformation. As the first conclave of the post-Francis era, it will determine whether the Church continues down the reformist path he charted or shifts toward a more traditional model of leadership. What Happens Next If no pope is elected within three days, the cardinals will take a day of reflection before resuming the process. While a pope can theoretically be elected in the first round, this has not occurred in centuries. Modern conclaves often last between one and five days, depending on how quickly consensus can be reached. The most recent, in 2013, elected Francis on the second day. Related Articles 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC. This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 7:24 AM.
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
New Pope Update: Cardinals to Begin Largest Ever Conclave
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, 133 cardinal electors have launched the largest conclave in modern times to select the next pope. The world is waiting to see who will replace Pope Francis after the gathering, which reflects his expansive, international appointments to the College of Cardinals, making it markedly more diverse and less Eurocentric than past conclaves. What Time Does the Conclave Begin? The Wednesday ceremonies began with mass at St. Peter's Basilica at 10 a.m. local time. It was conducted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who also led Pope Francis' funeral service. At around 4:15 p.m., the cardinals will gather in the Pauline Chapel to form a procession to the Sistine Chapel while singing the hymn Veni Creator, an invocation to the Holy Spirit. The conclave will officially begin when all nonessential personnel are ordered to leave the chapel following the pronouncement of "extra omnes" ("everyone out") by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Diego Ravelli. From that point, cardinals are isolated from the outside world, with no phones or TVs, until a pope is selected, with Swiss Guards stationed at every entrance of the Sistine Chapel. What Happens in the Conclave? Voting takes place twice each morning and twice each afternoon. Ballots are distributed by Vatican officials and collected in strict secrecy. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. If no one secures that on the first ballot, the cardinals return to their guesthouse, Casa Santa Marta, for dinner and informal discussions before voting resumes the next day. Daily routines continue, with meals and prayers structured between voting sessions. Notably, kitchen staff and waiters are also sworn to secrecy and confined to Vatican grounds for the duration of the conclave. After each round of voting, ballots are burned. If no pope is selected, chemicals produce black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. White smoke, accompanied by the ringing of bells, signals that a new pope has been elected. The elected cardinal is then asked if he accepts the role. Upon acceptance, he immediately becomes pope and selects a papal name. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in the New Hall of the Synod at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the last time before the start of the conclave starting in the afternoon of Wenesday, May 7,... Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in the New Hall of the Synod at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the last time before the start of the conclave starting in the afternoon of Wenesday, May 7, when they will elect the successor of Pope Francis. More AP When can we expect to see a Conclave smoke signal? Cardinals do not have to vote on Wednesday but they can. A possible time for first smoke on Thursday would be after 10:30 a.m., if it is white smoke (meaning a new pope has been elected) and after 12 p.m. if no pope is elected, Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni told Vatican News. In the event of an inconclusive vote, Cardinals would return to Santa Marta for lunch at 12:30 p.m. and then back to the Apostolic Palace at 3:45 p.m. to resume voting in the Sistine Chapel at 4:30 p.m. If a pope is elected in an afternoon vote, white smoke can be expected after 5:30 p.m., or if a pope is not elected, black smoke should appear at around 7 p.m. Why It Matters This conclave not only sets a record in participation but also comes at a moment of division within the Church. The cardinals are split between supporters of Pope Francis' reforms and traditionalists who have been vocal about reversing his policies. The next pope will shape the spiritual direction and administrative governance of the Catholic Church, the largest in the world, during a critical moment of transformation. As the first conclave of the post-Francis era, it will determine whether the Church continues down the reformist path he charted or shifts toward a more traditional model of leadership. What Happens Next If no pope is elected within three days, the cardinals will take a day of reflection before resuming the process. While a pope can theoretically be elected in the first round, this has not occurred in centuries. Modern conclaves often last between one and five days, depending on how quickly consensus can be reached. The most recent, in 2013, elected Francis on the second day.
CNA
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
The next Pope to be decided by conclave of cardinals from Wednesday
VATICAN CITY: With no official campaigning or list of candidates and the election process shrouded in secrecy, speculation about who will succeed Pope Francis remains just that - speculation. Following the death of Pope Francis in April, 133 cardinal electors will gather on Wednesday (May 7) in the Sistine Chapel for an election that could last hours, days or even months. Here are 15 cardinals among the potential favourites to succeed Pope Francis - so-called "papabili" - divided by region. EUROPE: Pietro Parolin (Italy), 70, Francis's number two Parolin was secretary of state - the Vatican's effective number two - for almost Francis's entire pontificate, and its most visible exponent on the world stage. Known for his calm and subtle sense of humour, the polyglot also has a fine grasp of the intricacies of the Roman Curia, the Holy See's central government, and was part of a group of cardinal advisers to Francis. He is currently considered the frontrunner to become the next pope. He played a key role in a landmark - and controversial - 2018 Vatican agreement with China on naming bishops. Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy), 60, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pizzaballa is the top Catholic in the Middle East with an archdiocese including Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Cyprus. He was made a cardinal in September 2023, shortly before the war broke out between Israel and Hamas. The Franciscan has appealed for peace from both sides, and at Christmas in 2024, led mass in both Gaza and Jerusalem. Matteo Maria Zuppi (Italy), 69, Archbishop of Bologna A member of the Roman community of Sant'Egidio, Zuppi has for more than three decades acted as a discreet diplomat for the Vatican, including serving as Pope Francis's special peace envoy for Ukraine. Known for riding his bicycle around Bologna, Zuppi is a popular figure for his decades of work on behalf of the needy. He also advocates for welcoming migrants and gay Catholics into the Church. He has been president of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) since 2022. Claudio Gugerotti (Italy), 69, diplomat and linguist An academic and multi-lingual diplomat from the Italian city of Verona, Gugerotti is an expert on the Eastern Churches. He has served as nuncio -- or ambassador of the Holy See -- in several countries, including from 2002 in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, later in Belarus, and then from 2015 to 2020 in Ukraine. The author of several books, Gugerotti largely avoids commenting on controversial issues. He was named Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches in 2022 and was made a cardinal in 2023. Jean-Marc Aveline (France), 66, Archbishop of Marseille Born in Algeria, Aveline has spent most of his life in the French port city of Marseille. Like his close friend Pope Francis, he has been a voice for welcoming migrants and promoting interreligious dialogue. Appreciated for his discretion, intellectual abilities and people skills, Aveline has carved out a reputation as a cardinal to watch since his elevation in 2022. Anders Arborelius (Sweden), 75, Bishop of Stockholm Appointed in 2017 as Sweden's first cardinal, Arborelius is a convert to Catholicism in the overwhelmingly Protestant Scandinavian country, home to one of the world's most secularised societies. He is the first Swedish Catholic bishop since the Protestant Reformation and a staunch defender of Church doctrine, notably opposed to allowing women to be deacons or blessing same-sex couples. Like Pope Francis, Arborelius advocates welcoming migrants to Europe, including Christians, Catholics and potential converts. Mario Grech (Malta), 68, Bishop emeritus of Gozo Born into a small village on the tiny Mediterranean archipelago of Malta, Grech is a peace broker and potential compromise candidate for the papacy. He was secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, a body that gathers information from local churches on crucial issues for the Church, such as the place of women or remarried divorcees, and passes it on to the pope. He had to perform a delicate balancing act, following Pope Francis's lead on creating an open, attentive Church while acknowledging the concerns of conservatives. Peter Erdo (Hungary), 72, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest An intellectual and respected expert in canon law, Erdo speaks seven languages, has published more than 25 books and is recognised for his openness to other religions. He leads the archdiocese of Esztergom and Budapest, the primatial seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary. But he has faced criticism for his ties with the government of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose harsh views on migration clashed with those of the late Argentine pope. Known for his enthusiasm for evangelism, Erdo -- who grew up under Communism -- is a conservative on such issues as gay marriage and divorcees who remarry. Jean-Claude Hollerich, 66, Archbishop of Luxembourg A Jesuit like Pope Francis, Hollerich spent more than 20 years in Japan, and is a specialist in European-Asian cultural relations as well as German literature. Firm on dogma, the theologian is still open to the need for the Church to adapt to societal changes, much like the Argentine pope he was close to and for whom he served as an adviser on the Council of Cardinals. Hollerich has advocated for the environment and has pushed for laypeople, especially young people, to have more involvement in the Church. ASIA Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), 67, Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Manila Tagle, Asia's frontrunner for the papacy, is a charismatic moderate who has not been afraid to criticise the Church for its shortcomings, including over the sexual abuse of minors. Fluent in English and active on social media, he is an eloquent speaker with self-deprecating humour. Some know him as "Asian Francis," and like Pope Francis, he is an advocate for the poor, migrants and marginalised people. Nicknamed "Chito", he was made a cardinal by Benedict XVI in 2012 and had already been considered a candidate for pope in the 2013 conclave in which Francis was elected. Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar), 76, Archbishop of Yangon Myanmar-born Bo became the Buddhist-majority country's first and only cardinal in 2015, appointed by Pope Francis. Bo has called for dialogue and reconciliation in conflict-ridden Myanmar, and after the military coup of 2021, appealed to opposition protesters to remain non-violent. He has defended the mainly Muslim Rohingya, calling them victims of "ethnic cleansing", and spoken out against human trafficking, uprooting the lives of many young Burmese. He was head of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) between 2019 and 2024. AFRICA Peter Turkson (Ghana), 76, Archbishop emeritus of Cape Coast One of the Church's most influential cardinals from Africa, Turkson has for years been mentioned as a possible first black pope. Made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003, the multi-lingual Turkson has been a papal envoy and mediator, including in South Sudan. He also served between 2016 and 2021 as head of a top Vatican department, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which deals with human rights and migration among other issues. Born into a humble family of 10 children, Turkson has criticised anti-gay legislation in Uganda, but defends Catholic sexual morality and has denied that homosexuality is a human rights issue. Robert Sarah (Guinea), 79, former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Had Pope Francis lived a few more months, conservative prelate Robert Sarah -- who turns 80 on June 16 -- would have been too old to join the conclave or to succeed him. As it is, though, he has found himself championed by conservative Catholics in the French-speaking world as a candidate to turn the clock back on progressive reforms. An ardent opponent of what he in 2015 called "Western ideologies on homosexuality and abortion and Islamic fanaticism", he denounced a 2024 text that paved the way for the blessing of same-sex couples. Experts believe his views make him too conservative to win a two-thirds majority at the conclave, but even a possible candidacy has boosted his profile. Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of Congo), 65, Archbishop of Kinshasa Ambongo was the only cardinal from Africa on Pope Francis's advisory council of cardinals and is the leader of the association of African bishops, SECAM. Born in 1960, the year of DRC's independence from Belgium, he has been a strong voice for peace in his conflict-ridden country, and is outspoken in his conservative views. He notably signed a letter in January 2024 voicing opposition to the Vatican's declaration allowing priests to carry out non-liturgical blessings of same-sex unions. In a 2023 interview, Ambongo - who some believe could be his continent's first pope - proclaimed that "Africa is the future of the Church, it's obvious". AMERICAS Robert Francis Prevost (United States), 69, Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo A native of Chicago, Prevost was in 2023 appointed prefect of the powerful Dicastery for Bishops, which is charged with advising the pope on appointments of new bishops. He spent years as a missionary in Peru and is the Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo in that South American country. Made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, he is also the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Timothy Dolan (United States), 75, Archbishop of New York A jovial, ruddy-faced extrovert with Irish-American roots, Dolan is a theological conservative, fiercely opposed to abortion. As the former archbishop of Milwaukee, he oversaw the fallout from a major sexual abuse scandal in the diocese.
