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Herald Malaysia
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Cardinals to pick conclave date to elect new pope
Cardinals to pick conclave date to elect new pope With conflicts and diplomatic crises raging around the world, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin is for many the favorite Apr 28, 2025 Cardinals with red zucchetto leave after a celebration of the Second Vespers at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, which hosts the tomb of late Pope Francis, on the first day of its opening to the public after the Pope's funeral, in Rome on April 27. (Photo: AFP) By AFP, Vatican City Red-hatted cardinals were expected to pick a date on April 28 for the conclave to elect a new leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, following the death of Pope Francis. Dozens of so-called "Princes of the Church" from across the world have been gathering at the Vatican since the 88-year-old Argentine pontiff died on April 21. But so far, there are few clues as to who they might choose next. "I believe that if Francis has been the pope of surprises, this conclave will be too, as it is not at all predictable," Spanish Cardinal Jose Cobo said in an interview published Sunday. In previous conclaves, "you can see where things might go", he told El Pais newspaper, whereas this time many cardinals hail from beyond Europe and have not even met each other before. Francis was laid to rest Saturday with a funeral and burial ceremony that drew 400,000 people to St Peter's Square and beyond, including royalty, world leaders and ordinary pilgrims. Vast crowds also gathered Sunday to view his marble tomb in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome, after the "pope of the poor" opted to be buried outside the Vatican's walls. With conflicts and diplomatic crises raging around the world, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who under Francis was secretary of state -- the pope's number two -- is for many the favorite to succeed him. British bookmakers William Hill put him slightly ahead of Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, the Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Manila, followed by Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson. Next in their odds comes Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, then Guinea's Cardinal Robert Sarah, and Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna. Ricardo Cruz, 44, a data and artificial intelligence specialist who came to see Francis' tomb on April 27, said that as a Filipino, he hoped the next pope would be from Asia, but as a Catholic, he just hoped the cardinals would pick the "right pope." While Francis' efforts to create a more compassionate Church earned him widespread affection and respect, some of his reforms angered the Church's conservative wing, particularly in the United States and Africa. Roberto Regoli, a professor of Church history and culture at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, told AFP the cardinals would be looking "to find someone who knows how to forge greater unity". "We are in a period in which Catholicism is experiencing various polarisations, so I don't imagine it will be a very, very quick conclave," he said. The cardinals have held general meetings since Francis's death to make decisions about the funeral and beyond. At 9:00 am (0700 GMT) on Monday, they will hold their fifth meeting, at which they are likely to fix a conclave date. Experts have suggested it may take place on May 5 or 6 -- shortly after the nine days of papal mourning, which ends on May 4. So far, there has been an atmosphere of "great openness", Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi told La Repubblica newspaper. "There are different opinions, but there is a more spiritual than political or combative climate," he said on April 27. There are 252 cardinals but only 135 of them are aged under 80 and therefore eligible to vote for a new pope. Some 80 percent of the cardinal electors were appointed by Francis -- though that is no guarantee they will pick a successor in his likeness. Most are relatively young, and for many it is their first conclave. The vote, held in the Sistine Chapel with its 16th-century ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, is highly secretive and follows strict rules and ceremonial procedures. The process could take several days, or potentially longer. There are four votes per day -- two in the morning and two in the afternoon -- until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. Fewer than half of those eligible to vote are European. "The future pope must have a universal heart, love all the continents. We must not look at colour, at origin, but at what is proposed," Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga from the Central African Republic told the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. "We need a courageous leader, a bold one, capable of speaking forcefully, of holding the helm of the Church steady even in storms... offering stability in an era of great uncertainty."--
Herald Malaysia
28-04-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Cardinals visit the tomb of Pope Francis, pray Second Vespers
Cardinals visit the tomb of Pope Francis, pray Second Vespers Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday in suffrage for Pope Francis, and recalls that mercy offers Christians the golden thread that unites our lives to one another and to Christ. Apr 28, 2025 By Devin Watkins At Mass on the second day of the Novemdiales, or 'nine days' of mourning for the late Pope Francis, Cardinal Pietro Parolin invited Christians to look to Christ's infinite mercy for peace in the world and in our hearts. In his homily, the 70-year-old Italian-born Cardinal drew inspiration from the day's Gospel, which recalls the fear and sadness of the Apostles as they huddled in the Upper Room after Jesus' death. He said this image represents the Church's state of mind at this moment, as Christians mourn the late Pope, who died on Easter Monday and was buried on Saturday. 'The grief at his departure, the sense of sadness that assails us, the turmoil we feel in our hearts, the sense of bewilderment,' he said, 'we are experiencing all of this, like the Apostles grieving over the death of Jesus.' Yet, said Cardinal Parolin, Christ comes precisely in this darkness to reveal Himself in the glory of His resurrection and illumine our hearts. 'Pope Francis reminded us of this since his election and often repeated it to us, placing at the centre of his pontificate that joy of the Gospel,' he said. Many young people were present at the second Novemdiales Mass, which took place during the scheduled Jubilee for Teenagers. Cardinal Parolin urged young people to welcome the joy of Easter, even amid the pain of loss, reminding them that Jesus always gives us the 'courage to live.' Recalling the Feast of Divine Mercy, the Cardinal said Pope Francis' teaching put great emphasis on God's mercy, which has no limits and works to raise us up and renew us. 'Our affection for him, which is being manifested in this time,' he said, 'must not remain a mere emotion of the moment. We must welcome his legacy and make it part of our lives, opening ourselves to God's mercy and also being merciful to one another.' Mercy, added Cardinal Parolin, 'takes us back to the heart of faith,' and helps us interpret our relationship with God and our identity as the Church according to God's categories, rather than those of the world. 'The good news of the Gospel is first and foremost the discovery of being loved by a God who has compassionate and tender feelings for each one of us, regardless of our merits,' he said. 'It also reminds us that our life is woven with mercy: we can only get back up after our falls and look to the future if we have someone who loves us without limits and forgives us.' Cardinal Parolin, who served as Secretary of State under Pope Francis, noted that only mercy heals and creates a new world, extinguishing the fires of hatred and violence. 'The risen Lord directs His disciples, His Church, to be instruments of mercy for humanity for those willing to accept God's love and forgiveness,' said the Cardinal. 'Pope Francis was a shining witness of a Church that bends down with tenderness towards those who are wounded and heals with the balm of mercy.' The late Pope, he added, believed strongly that peace is not possible without recognition of one another and mutual forgiveness. Turning to employees of the Roman Curia and Vatican City State, Cardinal Parolin thanked them for their untiring service to the Holy See. 'We entrust ourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom he was so devoted that he chose to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major,' concluded Cardinal Parolin. 'May she protect us, intercede for us, watch over the Church, and support the journey of humanity in peace and fraternity.'--Vatican News
Miami Herald
27-04-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Vatican releases photos of Pope Francis' tomb as it opens for viewing
April 27 (UPI) -- The Vatican released photos of the tomb of Pope Francis as it was opened for public viewing Sunday. He was buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Saturday. The release of the photos came as more than 13,000 people were ushered into the basilica to view the tomb Sunday, and several thousand more were lined up outside, according to the Italian news agency ANSA, citing information from police. More than 20,000 people filed into the basilica to view the tomb on Sunday, with several thousand more waiting outside, the Italian news agency ANSA reported, citing the police. The Vatican said all of the cardinals in Rome visited the tomb Sunday where they recited the Second Vespers, which are prayers of praise and thanksgiving. "Behind them, groups of worshippers joined in, while others continued to arrive during the celebration to pay their respects to Pope Francis," Vatican state media reported. "An estimated twenty thousand people had already visited the tomb since the early morning." Francis, who was 88 when he died last Monday, became the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in more than a century and the first in more than 300 years to be buried at St. Mary Major. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vatican releases photos of Pope Francis' tomb as it opens for viewing
April 27 (UPI) -- The Vatican released photos of the tomb of Pope Francis as it was opened for public viewing Sunday. He was buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Saturday. The release of the photos came as more than 13,000 people were ushered into the basilica to view the tomb Sunday, and several thousand more were lined up outside, according to the Italian news agency ANSA, citing information from police. More than 20,000 people filed into the basilica to view the tomb on Sunday, with several thousand more waiting outside, the Italian news agency ANSA reported, citing the police. The Vatican said all of the cardinals in Rome visited the tomb Sunday where they recited the Second Vespers, which are prayers of praise and thanksgiving. "Behind them, groups of worshippers joined in, while others continued to arrive during the celebration to pay their respects to Pope Francis," Vatican state media reported. "An estimated twenty thousand people had already visited the tomb since the early morning." Francis, who was 88 when he died last Monday, became the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in more than a century and the first in more than 300 years to be buried at St. Mary Major.
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
First photos of Pope Francis' tomb show it is adorned with a single white rose and simple inscription - as thousands of mourners flock to the burial site in Rome after pontiff was laid to rest
The Vatican has released the first images of the Pope's tomb at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome after he was laid to rest on Saturday. The burial site, which today opened tot he public, has already hosted a huge number of mourners, including cardinals and nuns, many of whom queued for hours to enter the church. Pope Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, was entombed at Santa Maria Maggiore church in a private ceremony after his public funeral in the Vatican, which drew more than 250,000 mourners from around the world on Saturday. The 266th Pope's tomb at the church he visited frequently during his time as cardinal and pontiff is inscribed simply with his papal name, Franciscus, and adorned with a single white rose. Above it is a crucifix illuminated by a single spotlight, making for a powerful display. On Sunday, April 27, thousands of mourners queued outside the church - one of four major basilicas in the Italian capital - to pay their respects to the late Pope. While some brought flowers, others were eager to get a photograph of the Pope's final resting place on their smartphones. Numerous cardinals were seen arriving for a celebration of the Second Vespers - the evening prayers - and nuns were pictured praying in front of the late Pope's tomb. Pope Francis was buried yesterday with a heartwarming obituary describing the first pontiff hailing from Latin America as a 'simple and much-loved shepherd'. The obituary placed in his coffin described how Francis was the 266th Pope and that he would 'remain in the heart of the Church and of humanity'. The funeral service was attended by the world's leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Prince William and Sir Keir Starmer. Francis had been lying in state in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc at the St Peter's Basilica since Wednesday morning for three days in public view, before the coffin was sealed ahead of his funeral yesterday. It added that while in Buenos Aries as Archbishop he was a 'simple and much-loved shepherd' who 'traveled far and wide across the city on the underground and the bus, cooking his own meals because he felt one of the people'. It closed by saying: 'Francis has left everyone a wonderful testimony of humanity, life of a saint and universal fatherhood.' The zinc inner lid that covered his body carried his name, a cross and his coat of arms and the of his papacy, 2013-2025. Unlike previous Popes his was just a single coffin whereas previous ones had three caskets. World leaders, dignitaries and tens of thousands of mourners gathered in St Peter's Square on Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, one of the most radical Catholic leaders of modern times. From first light, thousands of people made their way along Via della Conciliazione - the grand thoroughfare that leads to the Vatican - singing hymns, praying and swapping stories about Pope Francis. Upon the beginning of the service, archbishops and bishops began to assemble in the Constantine Wing, a corridor adjacent to St Peter's Basilica. They wore chasuble (the outer garment worn by clergy during services), alb, belts and a simple white mitre. Priests and deacons assembled at 8.30am in the area set aside for them in St Peter's Square. They wore a chasuble, alb, belt and a red stole. At 9am, the patriarchs and cardinals met in Saint Sebastian's Chapel in the Basilica. They wore the white Damascene mitre. They all then walked in the funeral procession alongside Francis's coffin, where the late Pope was dressed in a red chasuble, damask and golden papal mitre. The funeral began at 10am local time and the coffin was set in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica. The service was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Deacon of the College of Cardinals. The Prince of Wales, who attended the service on behalf of the King, was listed beside the Prince of Norway in the 'order of precedence' for international attendees. William and Haakon were listed in their own category as crown princes, and were followed in the order of precedence by representatives from the Andorran government. The British Government delegation included Sir Keir Starmer, who was accompanied by his wife Victoria, as well as Foreign Secretary David Lammy, UK ambassador to the Vatican Chris Trott, and Ailsa Terry, the Prime Minister's private secretary for foreign affairs. The UK Government delegation was listed between groups from Qatar and Serbia led by those countries' heads of government. Ireland's delegation came ahead of both William and the British Government delegation as it is led by head of state President Michael D Higgins. It fell between groups from Indonesia and Iceland, also led by those countries' heads of state. Francis's birth country Argentina took precedence in the seating, followed by Italy. The reigning sovereigns were then seated in alphabetical order in the French language, followed by heads of state. The French language is used as traditionally French was considered the language of diplomacy. Other figures in attendance included US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as former US president Joe Biden. The funeral followed the Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff and the guidelines set out in Universi Dominici Gregis, a document issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996. The ceremony began with the entrance antiphon, a selection of psalm verses or scripture passages that were traditionally sung or recited. This was followed by the Penitential Act which allows the faithful to confess their sins to God. The opening prayer came after the Penitential Act. The first reading was given in English by Kielce Gussie, a journalist from Vatican News. The second reading was delivered in Spanish by Edgar Pineda. Before the end of the mass, Cardinal Re sprinkled the coffin with holy water and incense. At the end of the service, valedictory rite and final commendation, where the Pope is formally entrusted to God, took place. Francis's coffin was then carried to the left of the altar at St Peter's. Francis's coffin wastaken from St Peter's Square to Santa Maria Maggiore where he was buried. The route crossed the river Tiber and passed Piazza Venezia followed by the Colosseum. Francis left instructions asking to be buried in a simple underground tomb in Rome's papal basilica of Saint Mary Major. This makes Francis the first pontiff in more than a century not to be buried at St Peter's Basilica. The last pope who asked to be buried outside of the Vatican was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903.
