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The South African
07-05-2025
- The South African
Peek inside the stunning Sistine Chapel, where popes are elected
The Catholic Church is gathering to elect a new pontiff after the death of Pope Francis last month. The process, known as a conclave, takes place in the beautiful Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel lies inside Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, which is entirely surrounded by the city of Rome in Italy. Vatican City is the home of the pope and the Catholic Church. The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV. In the late 15th century, Sixtus ordered the reconstruction of an existing chapel. A few years later, in 1492, the chapel hosted its first papal conclave. Since 1878, every conclave has taken place in the church. The decoration of the Sistine Chapel took place at the height of the Renaissance when some of the most famous artists were living in Italy. The Vatican enlisted several, including the famous Michelangelo, to paint the building. Today, the building is a popular tourist attraction. While the papal conclave continues, the Sistine is off-limits to travellers. However, as many as 6 million people visit the site each year. Here's what they come to see: None other than Italian painter Michelangelo decorated the Sistine Chapel's ceiling. His masterpieces cover over 450 square metres and depict nine stories from the Book of Genesis. The most famous scene is The Creation of Adam : the image of God touching Adam's fingertips is one of the most iconic in the world. Painted by Michelangelo between 1536 and 1541, this dramatic fresco shows the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgement of souls. Just beneath The Last Judgement is the papal throne. The simple marble seat is where the pope traditionally sits, symbolising his authority over the Church. Across the side walls of the Sistine Chapel are more spectacular paintings. These frescoes were done by early Renaissance artists like Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio. The panels depict stories from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Michelangelo's paintings may catch the eye, but it's the ceiling design itself that draws the gaze upwards. The vaulted ceiling adds depth and harmony, and showcases a mastery of perspective that's typical of the Renaissance. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What to know about the Sistine Chapel, site of the conclave to pick a new pope
In a process shrouded in secrecy, the Sacred College of Cardinals is gearing up to elect Pope Francis' successor inside the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, renowned for its extensive Renaissance art collection by some of the world's most famous artists. The Sistine Chapel is named after Pope Sixtus IV, an avid art lover who oversaw the construction of the main papal chapel in the 15th century. However, a later pontiff, Pope Julius II, commissioned works by Michelangelo, who painted the ceiling and vaults depicting scenes from Genesis, including The Creation of Adam, between 1508 and 1512. He also painted The Last Judgment, the second coming of Christ, on one of the walls. More than 5 million tourists visit the chapel annually, making it one of the most visited places in the world. Choosing the next Pontiff: What to expect from the conclave that will choose Pope Francis' successor What is the Sistine Chapel known for? Besides being the pope's main chapel, the Sistine Chapel has been the site of the conclave, the election that selects a new pope when there is a vacancy. The conclave takes place only in the event of the pope's death or renunciation for personal reasons. Pope Francis, 88, died of a stroke on April 21, Easter Monday, after a long respiratory illness. About 135 cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose a new pontiff next week, according to the Vatican. For inspiration, the cardinals can look at the sweeping frescoes from renowned Renaissance artists. The last conclave was held in March 2013 following Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, the first of its kind in more than 600 years, and resulted in the election of Cardinal Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St Peter's Basilica rang out on March 13, 2013, signaling that Roman Catholic Cardinals had ended their conclave and elected a new leader, who chose the name Pope Francis. Conclave to elect new pope begins May 7: When could we see white smoke? The artwork inside the Sistine Chapel While the exterior of the Sistine Chapel is muted, it is regarded for its majestic interior, as the walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes created by many Florentine Renaissance artists. A general view as Pope Benedict XVI celebrates baptisms in the Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, Jan. 13, 2008 in Vatican City. The most important artworks in the chapel are the frescoes by Michelangelo, which appear on the ceiling and the west wall behind the altar. Michelangelo painted the Last Judgment fresco on the west wall for Pope Paul III between 1534 and 1541. The two gigantic frescoes are considered among the greatest achievements in Western artistic history. The most famous scene in the Sistine Chapel is The Creation of Adam. Part of Michelangelo's ceiling paintings, the fresco depicts God giving life to Adam. The iconic image is known for the depiction of the two figures' hands almost touching, symbolizing the creation of the first man. Their almost-touching fingers are one of the world's most recognizable and widely replicated images. Part of the artwork of Michelangelo that adorns the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in 2005. Sistine Chapel's recent ties to pop culture Besides the artwork, most people have also become familiar with the Sistine Chapel through fiction thanks to Robert Harris' 2016 hit book-turned-Oscar-winning movie, "Conclave." Both in the book and the 2024 movie, the 200-plus College of Cardinals gathered at the Vatican after the death of the pope to elect who would lead the world's roughly 1.4 billion Catholics. The process is called a conclave and is steeped in ritual and tradition. A view of the fully restored 15th-century Sistine Chapel with the "Last Judgment " by Michelangelo is seen Dec. 10, 1999 after completing a 20-year revamping of this famous chamber where cardinals huddle to elect their new Pope. The operation, to clean marble works and frescoes on the side walls telling the stories of Moses and of Christ, enabled scholars to say with greater precision who painted what. PC In the film, the voting begins inside the solemn Sistine Chapel. Many of the high-profile cardinals are vying to be the new pontiff, some making ardent cases for themselves, including Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) and Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati). One cardinal who doesn't want the job is Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), dean of the College of Cardinals, despite encouragement by Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci). The thriller won best adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards. As a result of the movie, many are now familiar with the final moments of a conclave, when the white smoke famously rises from a chimney just outside the Sistine Chapel, followed by the appearance of the newly elected pontiff on the central balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. "We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were quite welcoming, actually, quite helpful," says "Conclave" screenwriter Peter Straughan, told USA TODAY ahead of the film's release. "So it was a big research project, really. It's a fascinating and theatrical world, so you want to get those details right. It's a very sumptuous thing." Contributing: Marc Ramirez, Marco della Cava and Christopher Cann This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Sistine Chapel: What to know about site of conclave to select pope
Washington Post
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Inside the conclave: A visual guide on how the next pope will be elected
Inside the conclave: A visual guide on how the next pope will be elected Electing a pope comes with a mix of ancient tradition, religious rituals, political machinations and some mystery. Beneath the domes and ancient walls of Vatican City, a quiet drama will unfold. Cardinals from around the world are gathering here, and many will be staying in Domus Sanctae Marthae, a five-story guesthouse built in 1996 to house church officials during a conclave. Here they will pray, reflect and quietly forge the alliances that could define the next chapter of the Catholic Church. The voting will be held in the Sistine Chapel, located inside the Apostolic Palace, typically the residence of the pope. The newly elected pope will be introduced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica overlooking St. Peter's Square. (Google Earth Studio) By Aaron Steckelberg , Maham Javaid , Leslie Shapiro and Manuel Canales April 30, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. EDT 5 minutes ago 7 min The 267th pope is set to inherit a deeply divided church: There are those who will want the new leader to remain on Pope Francis's reformist path and those who would want the next pontiff to return to a more traditional style. The conclave, which will begin May 7, is the largest and least predictable in decades. There are 133 possible cardinal electors. Voting will continue until a candidate wins a two-thirds majority. There is one vote on the first day, and four votes each day afterward. If the Roman pontiff is not chosen in three days, the cardinals may pause for prayers and informal discussions for one day. The previous two conclaves were decided in two days. This conclave will also be the most diverse in the history of the Catholic Church, said Mathew Schmalz, a professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, a liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts. General congregations organized before the conclave to discuss the Catholic Church's challenges will be an opportunity for the cardinals to get to know each other, Schmalz said. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Setup Voting Elected Sistine Chapel setup Shrouded in secrecy Before the conclave begins, the Sistine Chapel will be set up to shield cardinals from outside influence while they vote, said Daniel Cosacchi, a papal expert at the University of Scranton, a Catholic and Jesuit university in Pennsylvania. Diagram of Sistine chapel interior Sistine Chapel interior Sistine Chapel interior Sistine Chapel interior Sistine Chapel interior Sistine Chapel interior The Sistine Chapel is home to Michelangelo's 500-year-old frescoes, including the 'The Creation of Adam.' The altar wall, the heart of the chapel almost entirely covered by Michelangelo's second iconic work — 'The Last Judgement,' is where the cardinals will come to place their vote, said Cosacchi. The chapel will be inspected by technical experts to ensure no audiovisual equipment has been surreptitiously placed inside. It will then become a sealed area until the election's conclusion. A wooden floor will be added to hide security devices like signal jammers and to give the cardinals a flat surface to walk on when they vote. The high windows of the Sistine Chapel will be boarded up to fully isolate the cardinals. There will be a pair of stoves and a stovepipe in the far end of the chapel, with a connected chimney. At the end of each vote, the ballots are carried to the stoves and burned with chemicals that produce white or black smoke. Black smoke would indicate that the cardinals have not yet reached a two-thirds majority. White smoke means a successor has been chosen. As they write in their preferred candidate, the cardinals will sit in what's known as choir formations: two-three rows on either side of the chapel. Nine cardinals will help with the voting. This includes three scrutineers, whose job includes counting, recounting, tying up and then burning the ballots; three infirmarii, who are charged with collecting the votes of the sick; and three revisers who check both the ballots and the notes made by the scrutineers to ensure no mistakes have been made. The scrutineers sit in front of the altar, under Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgement,' behind a table carrying three urns that will be used as ballot boxes or voting receptacles. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Setup Voting Elected Voting process Inside the chapel The cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel singing the hymn 'Come Holy Spirit,' after which they will vow to hold the secrets of the conclave process, said Schmalz of the College of the Holy Cross. Then, the master of papal liturgical celebrations will announce 'Extra omnes,' or 'Everybody out,' in Latin, leaving only voting cardinals inside. The doors of the Sistine Chapel will be locked and the voting will begin. Diagram of cardinal with ballot. Urns Ballot Urns Ballot Urns Ballot Urns Ballot Urns Ballot One by one, the cardinals will walk up to the scrutineers and take an oath in Latin. Each will then place his ballot in the urn. The cardinal then bows to the altar and returns to his seat, giving way to the next cardinal. Diagram of ballot Name of the candidate Name of the candidate Name of the candidate Name of the candidate Name of the candidate Cardinals are urged to disguise their handwriting while filling out the ballot to maintain the anonymity of the process, said Cosacchi from the University of Scranton. The Italian on the ballot translates to: 'I choose as Supreme Pontiff.' Diagram of giving ballot. After each cardinal has voted, in order of rank, the scrutineers begin counting the votes. Diagram of reading ballot One scrutineer shakes the urn to mix up the ballots. Another transfers the ballots from the first urn to the second while counting them. Diagram of second reading of ballot Once all votes are cast, a scrutineer starts tallying the votes, announcing the name of each cardinal who has received a vote. A second scrutineer repeats this process. If the vote count of the first and second scrutineers match, the third scrutineer threads a needle through each ballot and ties them together, marking the end of each counting process. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis were elected in four and five rounds of voting, respectively. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Setup Voting Elected White smoke Habemus papam When the voting process leads to a winner, the cardinals approach him and the dean of the College of Cardinals asks: 'Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?' If he says yes, he becomes the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. They then ask him the name by which he wants to be known. In this conclave, the current dean is over the eligible voting age and so the election will be led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, said Schmalz. 'Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?' 'Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?' 'Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?' 'Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?' 'Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?' White smoke to roof Stoves White smoke to roof Stoves White smoke to roof Stoves White smoke to roof Stoves White smoke to roof Stoves After the master of papal liturgical celebrations prepares a document stating the acceptance and the new name of the pope, the final ballots are burned with chemicals to emit white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The world will know a pope has been chosen, but his identity will remain confidential inside the Apostolic Palace. Entrance to the Room of Tears Entrance to the Room of Tears Entrance to the Room of Tears Entrance to the Room of tears Entrance to the Room of tears After a liturgical ceremony in which the cardinals pray together and after meeting each cardinal in the chapel, the new pope will leave to go to the Room of Tears, said Cosacchi. In the Room of Tears, the pope is fitted in his papal garments. Each pope decides which papal garments to wear for his first appearance. Francis, who wore only white garments to the balcony, was different from Benedict, who wore a red mozzetta (a short cape worn on the cassock) and a red and gold stole. Zucchetto Ferula Mozzetta Cassock Zucchetto Ferula Mozzetta Cassock Zucchetto Ferula Mozzetta Cassock Ferula Zucchetto Mozzetta Cassock Zucchetto Ferula Mozzetta Cassock A white cassock, a red or white mozzetta and a skullcap or zucchetto are the basic garments that the incoming pope may choose. The pope may also carry a ferula, a staff with a cross or a crucifix at its end. The pope would then appear in the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at least an hour after accepting the papacy. St. Peters Square St. Peters Square St. Peters Square St. Peters Square St. Peters Square Editing by Manuel Canales and Reem Akkad. Copy editing by Feroze Dhanoa.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- General
- USA Today
What to know about the Sistine Chapel, site of the conclave to pick a new pope
What to know about the Sistine Chapel, site of the conclave to pick a new pope From the majestic art to the white smoke, here's what to know about the Sistine Chapel, the sacred site of the conclave. Show Caption Hide Caption Vatican announces conclave date on May 7 to elect a new pope The Roman Catholic College of Cardinals has agreed to begin a conclave May 7 to elect the next pope, per the Vatican. In a process shrouded in secrecy, the Sacred College of Cardinals is gearing up to elect Pope Francis' successor inside the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, renowned for its extensive Renaissance art collection by some of the world's most famous artists. The Sistine Chapel is named after Pope Sixtus IV, an avid art lover who oversaw the construction of the main papal chapel in the 15th century. However, a later pontiff, Pope Julius II, commissioned works by Michelangelo, who painted the ceiling and vaults depicting scenes from Genesis, including The Creation of Adam, between 1508 and 1512. He also painted The Last Judgment, the second coming of Christ, on one of the walls. More than 5 million tourists visit the chapel annually, making it one of the most visited places in the world. Choosing the next Pontiff: What to expect from the conclave that will choose Pope Francis' successor What is the Sistine Chapel known for? Besides being the pope's main chapel, the Sistine Chapel has been the site of the conclave, the election that selects a new pope when there is a vacancy. The conclave takes place only in the event of the pope's death or renunciation for personal reasons. Pope Francis, 88, died of a stroke on April 21, Easter Monday, after a long respiratory illness. About 135 cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose a new pontiff next week, according to the Vatican. For inspiration, the cardinals can look at the sweeping frescoes from renowned Renaissance artists. The last conclave was held in March 2013 following Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, the first of its kind in more than 600 years, and resulted in the election of Cardinal Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis. Conclave to elect new pope begins May 7: When could we see white smoke? The artwork inside the Sistine Chapel While the exterior of the Sistine Chapel is muted, it is regarded for its majestic interior, as the walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes created by many Florentine Renaissance artists. The most important artworks in the chapel are the frescoes by Michelangelo, which appear on the ceiling and the west wall behind the altar. Michelangelo painted the Last Judgment fresco on the west wall for Pope Paul III between 1534 and 1541. The two gigantic frescoes are considered among the greatest achievements in Western artistic history. The most famous scene in the Sistine Chapel is The Creation of Adam. Part of Michelangelo's ceiling paintings, the fresco depicts God giving life to Adam. The iconic image is known for the depiction of the two figures' hands almost touching, symbolizing the creation of the first man. Their almost-touching fingers are one of the world's most recognizable and widely replicated images. Sistine Chapel's recent ties to pop culture Besides the artwork, most people have also become familiar with the Sistine Chapel through fiction thanks to Robert Harris' 2016 hit book-turned-Oscar-winning movie, "Conclave." Both in the book and the 2024 movie, the 200-plus College of Cardinals gathered at the Vatican after the death of the pope to elect who would lead the world's roughly 1.4 billion Catholics. The process is called a conclave and is steeped in ritual and tradition. In the film, the voting begins inside the solemn Sistine Chapel. Many of the high-profile cardinals are vying to be the new pontiff, some making ardent cases for themselves, including Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) and Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati). One cardinal who doesn't want the job is Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), dean of the College of Cardinals, despite encouragement by Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci). The thriller won best adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards. As a result of the movie, many are now familiar with the final moments of a conclave, when the white smoke famously rises from a chimney just outside the Sistine Chapel, followed by the appearance of the newly elected pontiff on the central balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. "We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were quite welcoming, actually, quite helpful," says "Conclave" screenwriter Peter Straughan, told USA TODAY ahead of the film's release. "So it was a big research project, really. It's a fascinating and theatrical world, so you want to get those details right. It's a very sumptuous thing." Contributing: Marc Ramirez, Marco della Cava and Christopher Cann
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Outrage as Vice President JD Vance shows 'lack of respect' following Pope's death
The vice president was trailed by White House photographer Emily Higgins as he toured the iconic Vatican City before releasing pictures of his controversial visit Bungling JD Vance has sparked a fierce backlash following the Pope's death after breaking one of Vatican City's most famously enforced rules. America's Vice President broke papal protocol by being photographed inside the Sistine Chapel. The controversy erupted after MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk posted a photo on social media showing Vance holding his young son inside the sacred space, gazing up at Michelangelo's masterpiece The Creation of Adam. The image, taken by official White House photographer Emily Higgins during the VP's Easter weekend visit, quickly ignited online outrage. 'You do NOT take pictures in the Sistine Chapel,' posted one X user. 'No respect,' another user fumed, adding, 'To take photos in the Sistine Chapel is strictly forbidden. Every true Catholic knows this… Rules are only to be followed by others but not the American government – utterly despicable.' 'There is a strict rule of not taking pictures within the chapel,' another user wrote. 'But we all know that some people wipe their feet on rules and even the law.' The Sistine Chapel, home to one of the most important collections of Renaissance art, is the only location in Vatican City where photography is strictly banned. Its website makes clear that guards are authorised to confiscate cameras and delete images if the rule is broken. The policy stems from a 1980s agreement in which the Vatican granted Japan's Nippon TV exclusive filming rights in exchange for £3.2 million to restore the chapel's artwork. Although those rights expired in the '90s, the no-photo rule remained, widely understood as a means of protecting the artwork from potential flash damage and preserving the chapel's sanctity. Vance, a Catholic convert, was in the Vatican for a three-day visit that included Easter mass and a private meeting with Pope Francis, who died the following day at age 88. In a post on X, Vance offered condolences to the global Catholic community, writing: 'My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.' The Vice President's violation of the photography ban was seen by many as a symbol of disregard for rules and protocol, especially galling to Catholic faithful who revere the site as a place of silence, prayer. The White House has not responded to requests for comment. While Vance's defenders have pointed to past photos of political figures such as Michelle Obama and the Clintons inside the chapel, critics argue that the blatant documentation and public sharing of the image set a troubling example. 'This isn't about politics,' one critic wrote. 'It's about respect. JD Vance knew better.' The controversy is the latest gaffe to mark Vance's vice presidency since coming to office in January. He sparked outrage during a visit to Greenland as America demands to take control of the island, as well as being part of a group chat in which war attack plans were wrongly shared with a journalist.
