Latest news with #TheCatholicUniversityofAmerica
Time Magazine
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time Magazine
Pope Leo's Name Carries a Warning About the Rise of AI
New papal names often drip with meaning. Pope Francis, in 2013, named himself after Saint Francis of Assisi, signifying his dedication to poverty, humility, and peace. Pope Paul VI, in 1963, modeled himself after Paul the Apostle, becoming the first pope to make apostolic journeys to other continents. When Robert Francis Prevost announced on Saturday he would take the name Leo XIV, he gave an unexpected reason for his choice: the rise of AI. The most recent Pope Leo, Prevost explained, served during the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 19th century, and railed against the new machine-driven economic systems turning workers into mere commodities. Now, with AI ushering in a 'new industrial revolution,' the 'defense of human dignity, justice and labor' is required, he said. With his name choice and speech, Leo XIV firmly marks AI as a defining challenge facing our world today. But also embedded in the name is a potential path forward. Leo XIII, during his papacy, laid out a vision for protecting workers against tech-induced consolidation, including minimum wage laws and trade unions. His ideas soon gained influence and were implemented in government policies around the world. While it's still unclear what specific guidance Leo XIV may issue on artificial intelligence, history suggests the implications of his crusade could be profound. If he mobilizes the world's one billion Catholics against AI's alienating potential as decisively as his namesake confronted industrial exploitation, Silicon Valley may soon face an unexpected and formidable spiritual counterweight. 'We have a tradition that views work from a theological perspective. It's not simply burdensome; it's where we develop ourselves,' says Joseph Capizzi, dean of theology and religious studies for The Catholic University of America. 'Pope Leo XIV is going to be drawing on our tradition to try to make a case for finding work that dignifies human beings—even while making space for AI to do things that human beings will no longer be doing.' Rerum Novarum At the heart of Leo XIV's new name choice is Leo XIII's formal letter Rerum Novarum, which he wrote in 1891. At the time, the Industrial Revolution was upending society. Mechanized production and factory systems generated unprecedented wealth and productivity, but led to the displacement of many agrarian jobs and people to move into overcrowded, unsanitary urban centers in search of work. The jobs there were grueling, unsafe, and paid terribly. The wealth gap widened dramatically, leading to massive social unrest and the rise of communist ideology. In the midst of these many challenges, Leo penned Rerum Novarum, an encyclical that marked the first major example of a pope commenting on social justice. In it, Leo wrote that 'a small number of very rich men' had laid 'upon the teeming masses of the laboring poor a yoke little better than that of slavery itself.' There now existed as 'the gulf between vast wealth and sheer poverty,' he wrote. To combat this trend, Leo explored potential solutions. First, he rejected communism, arguing that workers had a right to the fruits of their own labors. But he also stressed the need for a living wage, time for workers for family and church, and the right to form Christian trade unions. 'He was really championing the rights of workers,' says Dr. Richard Finn, director of the Las Casas Institute at Blackfriars, Oxford. These ideas eventually caught hold. One of the first major advocates of minimum wage laws in the U.S. was the priest and economist John A. Ryan, who cited Pope Leo as a significant influence. Many ideas in his text 'A Living Wage and Distributive Justice' were later incorporated into the New Deal, when Ryan was an influential supporter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the 1960s, the Catholic Church eventually came out in support of César Chávez and the United Farmworkers (UFW), which Chávez told TIME in 1966 was the 'single most important thing that has helped us.' In Australia, Rerum Novarum influenced political leaders who forged a basic wage in that country. And in Mexico, the Rerum Novarum spurred the creation of many Catholic labor unions and mutual aid societies. 'It really shaped Catholic activism, with organizations working to ensure that Mexico was neither an unfettered capitalist country nor a Marxist state-owned state,' says Julia Young, a professor at the Catholic University of America. 'It was successful in creating Catholic associations that were very politically vocal.' The Church and AI More than a century after the industrial revolution, a similarly impactful technological revolution is unfolding, amidst many similar economic circumstances. 'In terms of similarities between now and then, there was rural to urban immigration changing the workplace, widespread exploitation of workers, and seemingly growing poverty in urban areas,' Young says. 'And so you had the church trying to respond to that and saying, 'We have a different response than Marx or the robber barons.' While Leo XIV hasn't yet explicitly called for any of the same measures as Leo XIII, it is clear that he believes the rise of AI necessitates some sort of counterweight. And his citing of Rerum Novarum also perhaps reveals a hunger to provoke widespread social change and offer a third path in a two-power arms race. 'In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution,' he said on Saturday. Across the world, people are expressing intense anxiety about AI causing job displacement. (Some economists contend that these fears are overblown, however.) Like in the industrial revolution, the initial spoils of AI are flowing to a few ultra-powerful companies. And AI companies have also reinforced some of the worst aspects of predatory global capitalism systems: OpenAI, for instance, outsourced some of its most grueling AI training to Kenyan laborers earning less than $2 an hour. Leo's interest in this area continues that of Pope Francis, who became increasingly vocal about the threats to humanity posed by AI in his later years. Last summer at the G7 Summit, he called for an international treaty to regulate AI, arguing that it could exacerbate social tensions, reinforce dominant cultures, and undermine education. 'We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away people's ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines,' he said. Some leaders have signaled the importance of prioritizing workers' rights during the AI revolution, like Senator Josh Hawley. But until a coherent political movement emerges, moral leadership on human dignity in the face of AI may flow from the church, and Pope Leo's outspoken leadership. 'He's saying AI is going to change the workplace—but it's got to change it in a way that fits with the dignity of employees,' says Dr. Finn.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-05-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
The speech, the clothes, the name: Three clues about new Pope's leadership
'It could be said that Leo's first appearance on the balcony meant: 'I am not Francis, but Francis' vision will continue.' ' Loading Kurt Martens, who teaches at The Catholic University of America in Washington, said references in Leo's speech to embracing the whole world as well as synodality were signs the new pope would continue to focus on the poor and those on the margins of societies. The clothes Unlike Francis, who spurned many of the trappings of the papacy from the day he was elected, Leo wore the 'mozzetta', an elbow-length red cape, over his white cassock, suggesting a return to some degree of tradition. He also wore an ornate red and gold stole with illustrations of the four gospels in the New Testament over his shoulders, the gold pectoral cross that is traditionally offered to a pope when he accepts the office, and a white skullcap, known as a 'zuchetto' or 'pileolus'. Loading Francis wore all white vestments and a simple cross when he first appeared on the balcony in 2013, signalling his desire for simplicity, before later adding the stole. The new name For most of the Catholic Church's first millennium, popes used their given names. The practice of adopting a new name became ingrained during the 11th century, and from the mid-20th century, new popes began to choose names signalling the aim of their papacy, according to Reverend Roberto Regoli, a historian at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University. Loading The last pope to take the name was Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903. That Leo softened the church's confrontational stance toward modernity, especially science and politics, and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought. His most famous encyclical, Rerum Novarum of 1891, addressed workers' rights and capitalism at the beginning of the industrial revolution. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni told reporters the new Pope's decision to be called Leo XIV was a deliberate reference to the previous Leo, although some academics speculated he could also have wanted to signal a strong line of continuity: Brother Leo was the 13th-century friar who was a great companion to St Francis of Assisi, the late pope's namesake. The name 'is a deep sign of commitment to social issues', Manhattan University's chair of religious studies Natalia Imperatori-Lee said. Where does he stand on key issues? Loading Though he has kept a low media profile, Leo is seen as ideologically aligned with Francis, particularly in prioritising outreach to the poor, care for migrants, and a less hierarchical vision of church leadership. He told the Vatican's official news website last year that 'the bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom'. On women in the church, Leo's views appear aligned with Francis', who opened more leadership roles to them than any previous pontiff, while affirming the church's teaching barring the ordination of women as priests, The Washington Post reports. However, Leo's record also contains more conservative elements. In a 2012 address, he criticised Western media for promoting 'sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel', referencing same-sex families and what he called the 'homosexual lifestyle'. While he supported Francis' pastoral move to allow Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics, he showed only reserved backing for blessings of same-sex couples. His handling of clerical abuse cases during his time in Peru is expected to come under closer scrutiny now that he has ascended to the papacy. Still, within the Vatican, Leo is regarded as a unifying figure. His international experience and quiet diplomacy allowed him to navigate the ideological and regional divides among the cardinals. His election may mark a stylistic shift from Francis' more outspoken leadership, but not necessarily a reversal of his reforms. The new Pope's brother, John Prevost, described him as being very concerned for the poor and those who don't have a voice, saying he expects him to be a 'second Pope Francis'. 'He's not going to be real far left and he's not going to be real far right,' he said. 'Kind of right down the middle.' What is the Augustinian order he's a part of? The new pope was formerly the prior general, or leader, of the Order of St Augustine, formed in the 13th century as a community of 'mendicant' friars dedicated to poverty, service and evangelisation. The order's requirements and ethos are traced to the 5th century St Augustine of Hippo, one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity. It works in about 50 countries, promoting a contemplative spirituality, communal living and service to others. A core value of the order is to 'live together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God'. Heir apparent In many ways, Francis saw Prevost as his heir apparent. Francis sent Prevost to take over a complicated diocese in Peru, then brought him 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. In January, Francis elevated him into the senior ranks of cardinals, giving him prominence going into the conclave that few others had. But there had long been a taboo against electing a pontiff from a country whose geopolitical power loomed so large in the secular sphere. Prevost, a Chicago native, was seemingly eligible because he's also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.
Hamilton Spectator
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
The Latest: Robert Prevost of the United States is named Pope Leo XIV
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinal Robert Prevost has taken the name Leo XIV. The Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican's powerful office of bishops was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. In his first words as Pope Francis ' successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, Leo, 69, said, 'Peace be with you,' and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013. He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English. Here is the latest: Canadian prime minister offers prayers and best wishes for the pope New Canadian Prime Minister Carney, a practicing Catholic, called the pope's election a 'historic day for Catholics and all who look to the Vatican for guidance.' 'At a time of global challenges, may his pontificate carry forward a mission of solidarity, compassion, and dignity for all.' Carney said in a post on social media. Professor of canon law sees continuity with Francis Kurt Martens, who teaches at The Catholic University of America in Washington, said Robert Prevost's choice of the name of Leo XIV, referencing XIII and his foundational encyclical on social teaching — suggests continuity with the church's direction under Pope Francis. Martens said references in Leo XIV's speech to embracing the whole world as well as synodality are more signs that the new pope will continue to focus on the poor and those on the margins of societies. Leaders of African countries offer congratulations Mozambique President Daniel Chapo said it was 'with joy and jubilation that the people and government of the Republic of Mozambique received the happy news of his election.' Mozambique, once a colony of Portugal, has nearly 9 million Catholics. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said in a Facebook post, 'I wish a Pontificate filled with achievements and blessings, under the sign of interreligious dialogue, peace and human brotherhood,' The West African nation, while predominantly Muslim, has a significant Catholic minority. Kenya's Archbishop Anthony Muheria said Pope Leo XIV has visited Kenya 'many times,' remembering him as 'a very pleasant person and a good listener.' Catholics in Kenya make up the second largest denomination. Vladimir Putin wishes Leo XIV success based on 'Christian values' The Russian president extended his 'cordial congratulations' to the new pope in a message published on the Kremlin's website, wishing him 'success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being.' 'I am confident that the constructive dialogue and interaction established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us,' the Russian leader said. UN secretary general offers 'heartfelt congratulations' Antonio Guterres said he looks forward 'to building on the long legacy of cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See – nurtured most recently by Pope Francis – to advance solidarity, foster reconciliation, and build a just and sustainable world for all.' 'The election of a new Pope is a moment of profound spiritual significance for millions of faithful around the world, and it comes at a time of great global challenges. Our world is in need of the strongest voices for peace, social justice, human dignity and compassion,' Guterres said. And he quoted the new pope's first words: 'Despite the rich diversity of backgrounds and beliefs, people everywhere share a common goal: 'May peace be with all the world.'' A burning question: is Pope Leo XIV a Chicago White Sox or Cubs fan? The bells pealed at Holy Name Cathedral as a crowd quickly gathered. Schoolchildren mingled outside, whooping and shouting. Bishop Larry Sullivan, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, told a press conference that it's an exciting day for the city and the country. 'I would say the Chicago way is that we come together, we share our faith,' he said. The cathedral's rector, Father Gregory Sakowicz, said the sun came out in Chicago when the new pope was announced, a coincidence he described as 'God's way of remaining anonymous.' He said he was 'happily shocked,' and that he had a burning question: was new Pope a White Sox fan? A journalist said she'd heard he's for the Cubs, and Sakowicz chuckled. 'God bless him,' he said. Catholics in Boston celebrate — though they didn't get a vote Boston is among the most Catholic of U.S. cities — about a quarter of the population identifies as Catholic, according to the Pew Research Center, down from 29% in 2014 after the clergy abuse scandal broke in the city and spread worldwide. Boston's former archbishop, Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley, turned 80 in June, so was too old to vote, and his successor, Archbishop Richard Henning, is not a cardinal. The city lacked a direct representative inside the conclave, but is cheering nonetheless. 'We have a pope! I join with Catholics in the Archdiocese of Boston and throughout the world, along with people of good will, in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new Holy Father,' Henning said in a statement. 'We pray for him as he begins this ministry as the Vicar of Christ and the Bishop of Rome. May he be for us a visible source and foundation of communion in faith.' The first U.S. pope didn't use English in his first speech His choice of languages reflects his 'pastoral care,' said Prof. Bruce Morrill of Vanderbilt University in Nashville. 'First and foremost his office is bishop of Rome,' Morrill said after the American pope initially spoke Italian, then switched to the Spanish he used in decades spent ministering in Peru. 'The conventional wisdom was that there would not be an American pope because of geopolitical implications,' said Morrill, a Jesuit priest. Morrill also noted that Leo XIII issued the first modern encyclical on modern social justice, about workers' protections. So choosing the name Leo XIV suggests the new pontiff's priorities: 'This is a man also very concerned about the church serving the greater social needs of the world,' Morrill said. Spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians welcomes the new Roman Catholic Church leader 'I greet the new Pope, the new Bishop of Rome, with great brotherly love in Christ and great expectations,' Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew told the Associated Press Thursday at an event in Athens. He said he'll be in Rome for the pope's enthronement. Reflecting on his long-standing cooperation with Pope Francis, Bartholomew expressed hope for continued progress in Catholic-Orthodox relations. He and Francis collaborated on global challenges including climate change, migration and the impact of technological change. They also hoped to end a centuries-old dispute by finding a common date to celebrate Easter. 'I hope that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will be a dear brother and collaborator ... for unity of the whole Christian family and for the benefit of the whole of humankind,' he said. Spanish prime minister congratulates 'the entire Catholic church' Pedro Sánchez cheered the election of Pope Leo XIV, saying in a post on X: 'May your pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.' Pope Leo XIV's first appointments have been set Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni says: 1. Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass on Friday morning at 11 a.m. with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. 2. He plans to deliver his first Sunday noon blessing from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica 3. And he plans to hold an audience with the media on Monday in the Vatican auditorium The Bushes are delighted over an American pope Former U.S. President George W. Bush said he and his wife, Laura, are 'delighted' to congratulate former Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election to become pope. 'This an historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world,' Bush said in a statement. 'We join those praying for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to lead the Catholic church, serve the neediest, and share God's love.' Pope Francis clearly had his eye on Prevost In many ways, Francis saw Prevost as his heir apparent. But there had long been a taboo against electing a pontiff from a country whose geopolitical power loomed so large in the secular sphere. Prevost, a Chicago native, was seemingly eligible because he's also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop. His selection is also enormously significant because of its potential impact on the future of the U.S. Catholic Church, which has been badly divided between conservatives and progressives. With Prevost's help at the help of the bishop vetting office, Francis embarked on a 12-year project to rein in the traditionalists in the United States, which is terrifically important to the global church financially. What significance might the name Leo have for a pope? Robert Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru before taking over the Vatican's powerful office of bishops, chose Leo XIV for his papal name. Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903, softened Catholicism's confrontational stance toward modernity — especially science and politics — and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought, most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers' rights and capitalism. The name 'is a deep sign of commitment to social issues. I think it is going to be exciting to see a different kind of American Catholicism in Rome,'' said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, the chair of religious studies at Manhattan University in the Bronx. Trump says 'it's such an honor for our country' Trump spoke to reporters outside the West Wing, saying that for the new pope to be American, 'What greater honor can there be?' 'We're a little bit surprised and we're happy,' Trump added. US Secretary of State sends his greetings Marco Rubio, a Catholic, issued a statement expressing his 'heartfelt congratulations' to the new pope during 'a moment of profound significance' for the church. 'The papacy carries a sacred and solemn responsibility,' Rubio's message said. 'May the Holy Spirit impart wisdom, strength, and grace as he shepherds the Church. The United States looks forward to deepening our enduring relationship with the Holy See with the first American pontiff.' A new pope sends greetings to his faithful in Peru Speaking from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the first time as pope, Leo XIV addressed in Spanish the people of Chiclayo, which sits just 9 miles (14 km) away from Peru's northern Pacific coast and is among the country's most populous cities. 'Greetings... to all of you, and in particular, to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, shared their faith,' he said. What is a core value for Augustinian priests? A religious order is a community of Catholics — which can include priests, nuns, monks and even lay people — dedicated to a particular type of mission and spirituality. A core value for the Order of St. Augustine that the new pope belongs to is to 'live together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God.' Pope Francis was the first pope from the Jesuit religious order ever, and the first in more than a century and a half to come from any religious order. The previous one was Gregory XVI (1831-1846), a Camaldolese monk. In all, 34 of the 266 popes have belonged to religious orders — and six of them before Leo XIV were Augustinians, according to America, a Jesuit magazine. The idea of a US pontiff was taboo. Prevost overcame it Pope Francis brought Prevost, a Chicago native, to the Vatican in 2023 to lead the office that vets bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. He kept a low public profile in Rome, but was well known to the men who count. Significantly, he presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made, when he added three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope. In early 2025, Francis again showed his esteem by appointing Prevost to the most senior rank of cardinals. Back in Prevost's old diocese in Chiclayo, Peru, the Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil said Prevost would have breakfast with his fellow priests after saying his prayers each day. 'No matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy,' Purisaca said in an email. ▶ Read more about Robert Prevost's background The pope's first words 'Peace be with you all. Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts to reach your families to all people everywhere to all the earth: peace be with you.' Cathedral bells ring out in Lima, Peru Prevost's election as pope is swelling the pride of Peruvians. 'For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country,' said elementary school teacher Isabel Panez, who happened to be near the cathedral in Peru's capital when the news was announced. 'We would like him to visit us here in Peru.' Trump congratulates new pope The U.S. president posted his reaction on his Truth Social social media platform. 'Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!' New pope led order dedicated to the poor and service The new pope was formerly the prior general, or leader, of the Order of St. Augustine, formed in the 13th century as a community of 'mendicant' friars dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization. The order's requirements and ethos are traced to the fifth century St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity. The order works in about 50 countries, according to its website, promoting a contemplative spirituality, communal living and service to others. Pope Leo XIV's first message: Peace and dialogue 'without fear' In his first words, Pope Leo XIV, history's first American pope Robert Prevost, said 'Peace be with you.' From the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, he recalled that he was an Augustinian priest, but a Christian above all, and a bishop, 'so we can all walk together.' He spoke in Italian and then switched to Spanish, recalling his many years spent as a missionary and then archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru. The voting cardinals look over the crowd The voting cardinals now fill the four balconies that flank the flag-draped balcony where Pope Leo XIV will speak. Many — including several who had been identified as possible contenders — seem joyful as they look over the crowd below. Robert Prevost is elected the first American pope in history Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican's powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV. A new pope's last moments before emerging to a global role The new pope, whoever he is, should now be donning his papal vestments in the so-called 'Room of Tears.' It is thus named due to the emotional weight of the moment and the responsibility ahead. People in the crowd continue to scream 'Viva il papa!' as they remain suspended in time in huge anticipation. One cardinal's hometown 'mystery' Three friends in Cardinal Pietro Parolin's hometown Schiavon clinked their glasses in an Italian salute when the white smoke went up in St. Peter's Square. 'We hope it's him,' said Mariano Vialetto, over an aperitif in Caffè Centrale. 'We have our fingers crossed.' Morgan Zaetta was more sure: 'It's him, it's him.' Then the bells rang in the church, St. Margherita — only the sacristan says it wasn't he who rang them and doesn't know who did. 'It wasn't me,' said Angelo Cisotto, adding no one was in the bell tower and they could not be rung by remote. 'It's a mystery,' he said. Asked if it could be a sign: 'We hope, we hope.'' Trump saw the smoke President Donald Trump was asked about the white smoke signaling that a new pope had been chosen. He offered little immediate reaction. 'I saw the smoke but I haven't seen the pope,' Trump told reporters on his way out of a White House event with military mothers. A last quiet moment before the excitement A few minutes before the white smoke, a small Seagull chick appeared near the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Alongside the chick were two larger seagulls, almost as if they were a family. Just as the mother was feeding the chick, the chimney began to smoke. Older cardinals who didn't participate in the conclave rush out to the square These cardinals lined up as military bands played the Italian and Holy See national anthems. Spotted in the crowd were American Cardinals Sean O'Malley and Donald Wuerl, both of whom are over 80 and didn't vote. Swiss Guards have taken position in front of front of St. Peter's Basilica A marching brass band in blue uniforms led a contingent of Swiss guards through the crowd to a central spot below the balcony, generating another huge roar from the crowd. The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the official security force of the Vatican, and holds a ceremonial and a protective function. And now more marching bands are celebrating the election of a new pope in a parade that includes large groups in military dress uniforms. 'Vivi il Papa!' erupts from the crowd whenever the music pauses. All eyes are now on the red-draped central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica That's where a cardinal will soon emerge to 'to proclaim a new pope to Rome and to the world.' There is incredible excitement — the crowd is roaring, and some are shouting 'hallelujah!' Church bells ring in Spain Moments after white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel, the bells began tolling in Barcelona's towering Sagrada Familia basilica and the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, across from the royal palace. The great bells of St. Peter's Basilica are tolling And down below, amid the cheers in the vast mix of humanity in St. Peter's square, priests are making the sign of the cross and nuns are weeping at the white smoke wafting into the sky. The crowd erupted with joy in St. Peter's Square Some are obviously deeply moved, others excited. They're clapping and waving national flags and taking photos with their phones. 'Viva il papa!' some shouted. White smoke is pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney It signals that a pope has been elected to lead the Catholic Church. That means the winner secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis. The crowd in St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers. The name will be announced later, when a top cardinal utters the words 'Habemus papam!' Latin for 'We have a pope!' from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. The cardinal then reads the winner's birth name in Latin, and reveals the name he has chosen to be called. The new pope is then expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing from the same loggia. The smoke emerged from the chimney at 6:07 p.m. Pope Francis appointed 108 of the cardinals voting for his successor He elevated these men and others who are not eligible to vote in groups throughout his papacy, beginning in January 2014 with 19. They came from around the world, including the developing nations of Haiti and Burkina Faso, in line with his belief the church must pay more attention to the poor and that its hierarchy should reflect the face of the faithful. His last batch was installed in December 2024 with 21 cardinals, 20 of whom are in the conclave. The excitement in the square is contagious At one point there was applause from the crowd as thousands train their eyes on the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, but it was a false alarm. 'We want a Pope close to the people and close to us, to the youth, who represent the future of the Church, said Kacper Michalak, 20, a seminarian from Poland who came for the 2025 Jubilee. The holy year is an ancient church tradition encouraging spiritual renewal which encourages pilgrimages to Rome. How long does it take to choose a pope? It's hard to say precisely. The Vatican doesn't officially publish the number of votes in past conclaves , and sources compiling their own tallies don't completely agree. But historical data provide a few clues . The longest conclave since the 20th century began took 14 rounds of balloting across five days, ending with the election of Pius XI in 1922. The shortest, electing Pius XII in 1939, took three ballots over two days. Cardinals must reach a two-thirds majority to elect a pope. That may have been easier in the past: In 1922 there were just 53 voting cardinals, and until 1978 conclaves had fewer than 100. This year there are 133, so 89 votes are needed. These are the US cardinals voting for the next pope The United States is home to 10 of the 133 cardinals eligible to vote for the next pope. That's more than any other nation except Italy, home to 17 of the electors in the conclave choosing a successor to Pope Francis. Only four of the American electors actively serve as archbishops in the U.S. — Timothy Dolan of New York, Blase Cupich of Chicago, Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, and Robert McElroy of Washington. Two others are retired archbishops, and four have spent many years serving at the Vatican. It's a mixed group, ideologically. McElroy was one of Francis' staunchest progressive allies. Cardinal Raymond Burke, a traditionalist, was a frequent critic of Francis. ▶ Read more about the US electors in the conclave Conservative cardinals are likely seeking a more orthodox successor Francis had many traditionalist critics who made clear they believed themselves to be more Catholic than the pope. Francis sought to neutralize the conservative opposition through key appointments and targeted removals, and he also oversaw a crackdown on the old Latin Mass. When he approved blessings for same-sex couples, African bishops united in disapproval. And when he allowed divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion, some accused him of heresy. ▶ Read more on Pope Francis' conservative critics The faithful in the piazza don't get a vote. But if they did ... Pedro Deget, 22, a finance student from Argentina, is hoping for a new pope in Francis' image. 'Francis did well in opening the church to the outside world, but on other fronts maybe he didn't do enough. We'll see if the next one will be able to do more.' The Rev. Jan Dominik Bogataj, a Slovene Franciscan friar, was more critical of Francis. He said if he were in the Sistine Chapel, he'd be voting for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem who is on many papal contender lists. 'He has clear ideas, not much ideology. He's a direct, intelligent, and respectful man,' Bogataj said from the square. 'Most of all, he's agile.' A hot mic moment feeds conjecture over papal candidates As the Sistine Chapel's doors slammed shut to seal the cardinals off from the outside world, leadership of the proceedings was assumed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the 70-year-old secretary of state under Francis and a leading contender to succeed him as pope. Parolin is the most senior cardinal under age 80 eligible to participate, and seemed to have received blessings from none other than Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, who was caught on a hot mic during Wednesday's pre-conclave Mass telling Parolin 'Auguri doppio' or 'double best wishes.' Italians are debating whether this was a customary gesture, an informal endorsement or even a premature congratulations. Prominent cardinal hopes for white smoke by the evening Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, expressed hope that a new pope would be elected within hours, according to reports in major Italian newspapers. 'I hope that when I return to Rome this evening, I'll find the white smoke already rising,' he said, speaking from the city of Pompeii on Thursday. Re is 91 years old, which makes him too old to participate in the conclave of 133 cardinals who are electing the next pope and who all have to be under 80. However, he has been prominent and delivered a Mass on Wednesday before the cardinals began their conclave. As the Mass ended he was caught on a hot mic saying to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, viewed as a favorite for the papacy: 'auguri doppi' ('double best wishes'). Italians discussed whether this was a customary gesture acknowledging Parolin's role as the most senior cardinal present in the conclave, or if it might have been an informal endorsement of Parolin's candidacy for the papacy. Black smoke again pours from the Sistine Chapel chimney: No pope elected yet Black smoke is again pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected on second or third ballots of the conclave to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church. The smoke billowed out at 11:50 a.m. on Thursday after the morning voting session to elect a successor to Pope Francis to lead the 1.4 billion-member church. With no one securing the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the 133 cardinals will return to the Vatican residences where they are being sequestered. They will have lunch and then return to the Sistine Chapel for the afternoon voting session. Two more votes are possible on Thursday. Day 2 of waiting for a new pope Many faithful are hoping that the second day of the conclave will give the church and the world a new pope after a first vote produced dark smoke on Wednesday evening, sending a disappointed crowd to disperse in all directions in Rome. Earlier, some of the people had started thinking that the long wait was the sign cardinals had reached a decision in a first vote, which would be unprecedented in the modern era. 'They probably need more time,' said Costanza Ranaldi, a 63-year-old who traveled from Pescara in Italy's Abruzzo region to be present at the historic moment. Chiara Pironi, a 26-year-old who lives in Rome, said she would keep returning to St. Peter's Square until a new pope is chosen. 'I don't want to miss that moment,' she said. A proverb and a warning There is an old prover that Italians keep repeating: 'He who enters the conclave as pope leaves as a cardinal.' The saying warns against overconfidence among front-runners in papal elections — those widely expected to win often do not. In Rome, the phrase is heard frequently, from casual conversations to live TV broadcasts, where commentators use it to temper speculation. It's a reminder of the secrecy and unpredictability of the conclave, where decisions are made behind locked doors, and outcomes can surprise even seasoned Vatican watchers. Who is voting in the conclave? Of the 133 cardinals voting in the conclave, 108 were appointed by Pope Francis, who died last month at the age of 88 . The electors could feel loyalty to continue his legacy — even though the late pontiff didn't choose cardinals based on ideology, but rather for their pastoral priorities and geographical diversity. Beyond that, the cardinals will consider practical matters, like age. Piking a relatively young man — say in his 60s — could result in a papacy of 20 years or longer. Also, choosing a pope from where the church is growing — Asia or Africa — could bring more upheaval to the Vatican's Italian-heavy bureaucracy that is still smarting from the Argentine pope's go-it-alone style. Why might papal voting might have taken longer Wednesday evening? Casting and counting ballots for a new pope might have taken longer than expected on Wednesday evening because of the large number of cardinals participating — 133 — and the linguistic diversity among them. The electors hail from 70 countries, and not all speak or understand Italian fluently, which could have slowed down the proceedings if help with translation was needed. While in the past Latin was the universal language of the church, nowadays not all cardinals understand Latin or even Italian, the lingua franca of the Vatican. Another unknown was the length of the meditation delivered by Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa after the Sistine Chapel doors closed and the voting began. Cantalamessa is the retired preacher of the papal household. Also, the vote might have had to be done twice, if for some reason the first ballot had to be invalidated. That occurred in 2013 when during one voting round, an extra empty ballot appeared. Black smoke pours from Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating conclave hasn't elected pope The smoke billowed out at 9 p.m. Wednesday, some four hours after 133 cardinals solemnly entered the Sistine Chapel, took their oaths of secrecy and formally opened the centuries-old ritual to elect a successor to Pope Francis to lead the 1.4 billion-member church. With no one securing the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the cardinals retired for the night to the Vatican residences where they are being sequestered. ▶ Read more about the conclave to pick the next pope
Herald Malaysia
08-05-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Is the Church ready for a pope from Asia?
A charismatic and gifted speaker, Cardinal Tagle is active on social media, reaching out to Catholics wherever they are May 08, 2025 Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle attends a mass at St Peter's basilica in The Vatican, on April 30, 2025. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) By Jonathan Y. Tan Ask any Filipino about Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and you'll likely hear a story about how down-to-earth and relatable he is. His supporters refer to him as the 'Asian Francis,' but the 67-year-old Tagle is difficult to categorize neatly. International media have named this Asian cardinal among those who could be elected to succeed Pope Francis, who died last month after a 12-year-long papacy. Many Filipinos who knew Tagle, whether as their local priest or bishop, recognized him as someone they could relate to: humble, simple, down-to-earth, and eschewing episcopal pomp and splendour. As Bishop of Imus, Tagle was well known for not owning a car and instead relying on a bicycle or public bus, which allowed him to mingle with his flock. The story often told by the people in Imus is about how, in the early hours of dawn, a young priest arrived on a bicycle at a chapel in a working-class neighborhood to celebrate Mass for a gathering of day laborers before they headed off to find work. Several astonished laborers realized that this young priest was actually their new bishop, and they felt embarrassed for not having prepared their Spartan chapel for an episcopal visitation. For Tagle, this was no problem — since their regular priest had called in sick, he was happy to visit, celebrate Mass, and get to know his flock as their pastor. To understand Tagle and his close friendship and deep bond with Pope Francis of blessed memory, one would do well to recognize that both Tagle and Bergoglio share one thing in common – a deep formation in Ignatian charism and spirituality. Although Tagle is not a Jesuit, his formative years were spent in Jesuit institutions: his undergraduate and master's studies were at Ateneo de Manila University. This Ignatian formation and spirituality include an openness to others and the world, a commitment to caring for the whole person ( cura personalis ) in the fullness of one's human dignity, bodily and spiritual well-being, serving everyone and pursuing justice, especially for the marginalized and invisible ('men and women for others'), and setting the world on fire with love for Jesus and his Gospel, as succinctly captured in Saint Ignatius of Loyola's farewell to Saint Francis Xavier as he embarked on his mission to Asia: ' Ite! Inflammate omnia! ' (Go! Set the world on fire!). Despite his down-to-earth, humble, and affable manners, Tagle is no academic slouch. At The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, his doctoral dissertation supervisor and world expert on Vatican II and ecclesiology, Father Joseph Komonchak, insists that Tagle is not only his best doctoral student ever throughout his entire teaching career, but that his doctoral dissertation on episcopal collegiality in the Catholic Church is one of the best on this topic. Tagle's theological orthodoxy and prowess caught the eye of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who, in 1997, selected him to serve on the Vatican's International Theological Commission (ITC), which advises the Pope and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. On one hand, Tagle is doctrinally orthodox. In the debates over the Philippines' controversial 2012 Reproductive Health Law, Tagle unequivocally opposed the liberalization of access to abortion and contraception. In this vein, Tagle, like Pope Francis, will frustrate and disappoint activists seeking to liberalize the Catholic Church's doctrines on sexual ethics. On the other hand, like Pope Francis, Tagle maintains that while doctrine remains unchanged, pastoral strategies can and should evolve to be more inclusive of women and the LGBT community. Hence, while Tagle will not countenance changing the Church's teaching on women's ordination or making same sex marriage a sacrament, he would seek to give women a greater voice and leadership roles without ordination, and find ways of making LGBT Catholics feel at home within the boundaries of existing Catholic doctrine. Unlike some of the papal frontrunners with limited pastoral experience, Tagle brings a wide range of expertise as a parish priest, seminary rector, bishop, theologian who served on the Vatican's International Theological Commission, and Vatican administrator who continues to lead the Dicastery for Evangelization. A charismatic and gifted speaker, Tagle is active on social media platforms and reaches out to Catholics wherever they are. Inspired by the theology of missio inter gentes developed by fellow Asian theologians and missiologists, as well as Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), Tagle insists that the Catholic Church must go out to where the people are and be immersed in their midst ( missio inter gentes ). Indeed, as Archbishop of Manila and later Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Tagle often speaks of bringing the Church to the shopping malls of Manila and to social media platforms where young adults congregate. In short, Tagle represents a figure within the Catholic Church who, while defending the Church's doctrinal positions, is nevertheless inspired by the Holy Spirit to discern new and creative strategies for bringing the Gospel of Jesus and the Catholic Church to the peoples in their diverse worlds amid the challenges of daily
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Catholics in DC pray for new pope as conclave starts at Vatican
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Catholics are eagerly waiting to see what happens at the Vatican as cardinals vote to elect a new pope. At the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Wednesday's mass had Catholics saying extra prayers. 'At this mass, we pray the prayers for the election of a pope,' said Monsignor Walter Rossi. 133 cardinals will elect the next pope. And the faithful have faith in the process. 'I want the Spirit of God to take over the whole thing so that they would bring out somebody who will really do a very nice job for the Catholic Church and humanity,' said Bennett Ohia. REAL ID: What is it, how to get one in DC, Maryland, Virginia Many parishioners are closely watching what happens in Rome, but not everyone. 'I've intentionally not been paying a lot of attention in part because I think we overly politicize some of these things,' said Colin McCarthy. 'Obviously there are political forces you can say, but there's also something kind of mysterious about it.' One of the apparent front-runners for the papacy is Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. He went to The Catholic University of America, earning a licentiate in sacred theology in 1987. He completed his doctorate in sacred theology in 1991. 'There's some local connection. Yeah. Yeah, I didn't even… know that. And then, you know, one day, one day there'll be more Americans, more American cardinals. Then we'll see,' McCarthy said. Rossi said it's a process of prayer. 'None of us knows who we will be or how long it will take, but we do know that it is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit,' Rossi said. Cardinals will continue voting up to four times a day, twice in the morning and twice at night, until they elect a new pope. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
