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Herald Malaysia
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Upcoming conclave will be first with more than 120 Cardinal electors
The conclave set to begin on May 7 will be the first to include 133 Cardinal electors, but it is not the first time the College of Cardinals has exceeded the 120 limit. May 02, 2025 The red skullcap or zucchetto worn by cardinals (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto) By Tiziana Campisi and Kielce GussieA confirmed 133 Cardinals will participate in the upcoming conclave to elect the next Successor of St. Peter. Based on a paragraph in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis (UDG), the limit of voting cardinals is 120—13 fewer than what the College of Cardinals has announced will be participating next week. However, the number of Cardinals in the College has often exceeded the limit, despite the regulations laid down in UDG. A tradition in the making? It was on October 1, 1975 that Pope Paul VI first established the rule that the 'maximum number of cardinal electors shall not exceed 120' in the Apostolic Constitution, Romano Pontifici Eligendo. Prior to this, in the consistory of 1969, the College of Cardinals reached 134 electors. Despite Pope John Paul II confirming the rule limiting the number to 120, recent Popes have created more Cardinals, exceeding this number. This was the case on four occasions for the Polish Pope: in the Consistory of June 28, 1988 (160 Cardinals, of which 121 were electors and 39 non-electors), February 21, 1998 (165 Cardinals, of which 122 were electors and 43 non-electors), February 21, 2001 (183 Cardinals, of which 136 were electors and 47 non-electors), and October 21, 2003 (194 Cardinals, of which 134 were electors and 60 non-electors).After Pope John Paul II's death, the conclave opened on April 18, 2005 with the College of Cardinals consisting of 183 Cardinals—117 electors and 66 non-electors. Staying under the limit This continued with Pope Benedict XVI, who exceeded the 120 number of Cardinal electors on two occasions: in the Consistory of November 20, 2010 (203 Cardinals, of which 121 were electors and 82 non-electors), and February 18, 2012 (213 Cardinals, of which 125 were electors and 88 non-electors). When he resigned in 2013 and with the ensuing conclave, the College of Cardinals consisted of 207 Cardinals—only 117 were electors. Pope Francis followed suit and made the College number greater than 120 in 10 consistories: · February 22, 2014 (218 Cardinals: 122 electors, 96 non-electors) · February 14, 2015 (227 Cardinals: 125 electors, 102 non-electors) · November 19, 2016 (228 Cardinals: 121 electors, 107 non-electors) · June 28, 2017 (225 Cardinals: 121 electors, 104 non-electors) · June 28, 2018 (226 Cardinals: 125 electors, 101 non-electors) · October 5, 2019 (225 Cardinals: 128 electors, 97 non-electors) · November 28, 2020 (229 Cardinals: 128 electors, 101 non-electors) · August 27, 2022 (226 Cardinals: 132 electors, 94 non-electors) · September 30, 2023 (242 Cardinals: 137 electors, 105 non-electors) · December 7, 2024 (253 Cardinals: 140 electors, 113 non-electors) Exceptions can happen Despite a history of exceeding the limit, this 2025 conclave will be the first time one will take place with more than 120 Cardinal electors. The College of Cardinals released a declaration on April 30, recognizing the right of all 133 electors to participate in the upcoming conclave and determining that the legislative provision of UDG had been tacitly dispensed from by Pope Francis when the set limit was surpassed. Universi Dominic Gregis, article 36 states, 'A Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church who has been created and published in a consistory has, by that very fact, the right to elect the Pope.' The Apostolic Constitution adds that any Cardinal who has not been canonically deposed or has not 'renounced the cardinalate with the consent of the Roman Pontiff' may partake in the election of the new Pope of the Catholic Church.--Vatican News
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
What will determine the Papal Conclave?
The story so far: Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Catholic Church entered into the sede vacante(the time for which the papal seat is empty). This period culminates in the Papal Conclave, the ancient ritual to elect the next Pope. While deeply spiritual, the Conclave is also a political process — a complex interplay shaped by rules, personalities, historical precedents, and the significant, sometimes controversial, legacy of the previous pontificate. Also Read: Pope Francis | 1936-2025 How does the Conclave work? The Universi Dominici Gregis (UDG), an apostolic constitution, governs the process. It dictates strict procedures, and demands secrecy and complete isolation within the Vatican City. This enforced secrecy aims to minimise external influence. However, it simultaneously creates a unique internal political environment. Here, influence hinges on pre-existing relationships, sharp negotiation, and the persuasive efforts of respected figures — the 'great electors' — working behind the scenes to build alliances and steer votes. Sequestered, cardinal electors are incentivised to make their choice based on their own conscience, free from external lobbying. Also significant is the fact that a successful candidate requires a a two-thirds majority. This necessitates consensus-building, favours compromise and candidates acceptable across different blocs, preventing any narrow faction from dominating. Only cardinals under 80 years, at the time of the Pope's death or resignation, have voting rights. However, cardinals over the age-limit can still participate in pre-Conclave general congregations, leveraging their experience and clout, potentially swaying less experienced cardinals before voting even begins. The current electorate was significantly shaped by Pope Francis; he appointed approximately 80% (around 108 of the 135 expected attendees) of the voting cardinals. He frequently exceeded the nominal 120-elector limit set by Paul VI — a clear exercise of papal prerogative, allowing a Pope to rapidly influence the body choosing his successor. What are the major political divisions among electors? Significant ideological differences mark the College of Cardinals, broadly reflecting the intense debate over Pope Francis's legacy and the Church's future path. Broadly there are two major camps — reformist and conservative. The reformist/progressive faction supports Pope Francis's vision. They emphasise pastoral theology (more practical application) over rigid doctrine, encourage synodality (a more consultative Church), prioritise social justice — poverty, migration, climate change — and favour greater inclusion of women and other marginalised groups such as LGBTQ+ Catholics. Conversely, the conservative/traditionalist faction has concerns about the perceived doctrinal ambiguity and the departure from tradition during Pope Francis's pontificate. This faction stresses the need for upholding liturgical tradition (including the restricted pre-Vatican II Latin Mass), clear doctrinal teaching, and seeks a reaffirmation of established moral norms. Some desire a distinct 'course correction'. However, a broad compartmentalisation misses nuance. Such a generalisation is complicated by numerous cardinals, especially appointees from the Global South, who defy easy categorisation. While many of these cardinals hold socially conservative views (evident in the strong resistance by African bishops to Fiducia Supplicans, the document allowing blessings for same-sex couples), they also resonate deeply with Pope Francis's focus on social justice, poverty, environmentalism, and anti-colonialism. This complex mix makes their voting patterns less predictable. It positions them as a crucial potential 'swing' bloc, absolutely necessary for building a two-thirds majority. How has the geographical balance of power shifted? Pope Francis deliberately reshaped the College of Cardinals to make it less European and more reflective of the Church's actual global distribution. He frequently bypassed traditional European power centres and appointed cardinals from the 'peripheries' — nations which were never before represented. The result has been profound. Europeans now constitute less than half (approx. 39.3%) of cardinal electors — a first in centuries, dropping significantly from around 51-52% in 2013. While still the largest single regional bloc, with Italy retaining the most electors, Europe's historical dominance has clearly diminished. Conversely, other regions have grown: Asia-Pacific accounts for about 17%, Latin America 15.6%, and Africa 13.3%. This globalised composition introduces new political dynamics. Cardinals from the Global South bring perspectives deeply shaped by poverty, migration, interreligious dialogue (especially with Islam), environmental challenges, and the realities of Church growth. Their voices could shift discussions away from solely European concerns. This structural shift increases the plausibility of a non-European Pope and demands cross-regional coalition-building to reach the two-thirds threshold. Latin America, however, remains somewhat underrepresented relative to its large share of the global Catholic population. What issues will likely dominate the discussions? The cardinals' deliberations will inevitably grapple with several pressing issues revealing underlying political and theological tensions. Synodality, perhaps Pope Francis's defining project, which envisions a Church emphasising listening, dialogue, and shared responsibility, faces a highly contested future. Supporters see it as an essential renewal; critics fear it undermines authority or dilutes doctrine. A candidate's stance here will be a major indicator. Navigating contentious social and moral questions also remains a critical challenge. Pope Francis fostered a more pastoral tone regarding LGBTQ+ Catholics, culminating in the controversial Fiducia Supplicans, which faced strong resistance. Balancing pastoral outreach with traditional doctrine is a tightrope the next Pope must walk. Also Read:Pope Francis funeral | Mighty, meek bid farewell; Francis is remembered as a 'pope among the people' in his funeral Mass The role of women is another key issue. Despite Pope Francis appointing more women to leadership and allowing them Synod votes, calls for greater inclusion persist, including the unresolved question of women deacons. Sensitive topics like clerical celibacy and bioethics also loom. Further, the global clergy abuse crisis continues its devastating impact on the Church's credibility. Despite reforms like Vos Estis Lux Mundi (norms established by Pope Francis to tackle sexual abuse), criticisms regarding inconsistent enforcement and accountability linger. Cardinals will likely scrutinise candidates' commitment to transparency, bishop accountability, and survivor support — a fundamental test of leadership. Finally, the papacy's role in geopolitics and internal reform is crucial. The next Pope must navigate conflicts (Ukraine, Gaza), global tensions (U.S.-China), and provide moral leadership on climate change and migration. Diplomatic skill is essential, as is handling sensitive agreements like the controversial Vatican-China deal (allowing the Chinese Communist Party to have a say in bishop appointments, and being criticised for compromising religious freedom). Internally, ensuring the continuation of financial reform in the Vatican, especially after the London property scandal trial, and demonstrating commitment to transparency remain key concerns. Why is the outcome considered unpredictable? Vatican observers have highlighted that this Conclave will be of an uncertain nature. As strict secrecy prevents any external observation of the shifting dynamics and intense alliance-building within the Sistine Chapel, one won't be able to call the result until the white smoke above the Vatican dispels all doubts. The two-thirds majority rule necessitates broad consensus, often pushing cardinals beyond initial preferences, towards candidates capable of uniting disparate factions. Also, the current college's diverse composition, with many electors unfamiliar with one another due to Pope Francis's appointments from the peripheries, adds another layer of unpredictability. The famous saying, 'He who enters the Conclave as Pope, leaves it as a cardinal' suggests that there are no front-runners for Saint Peter's throne. Ultimately, the choice rests on political manoeuvring, individual discernment, and, for believers, the subtle guidance of the Holy Spirit behind the Conclave's locked doors. Franciszek Snarski is interning with The Hindu.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
These dwarf galaxies in the Hydra cluster are baffling scientists: 'We found something we didn't expect'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Astronomers have discovered something surprising about the universe's smallest and faintest class of galaxies: Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies (UDGs). A research team studying these galaxies found that around half of the ones they investigated showed signs of motion that defy previous theories about the formation and evolution of such realms. In particular, the team found an unexpected rotational motion of stars within many of these dwarf galaxies. The scientists reached these findings while studying stellar motion in 30 UDGs in the Hydra galaxy cluster located over 160 million light-years away from us. The findings could change our understanding of how UDGs form and evolve. "The results we obtained were doubly satisfying," Chiara Buttitta, a researcher at the National Institute for Astrophysics and co-author of a paper on these results, said in a statement. "Not only were we able to deduce the stellar motions in these extremely faint galaxies, but we found something we didn't expect to observe."The team utilized the "Looking into the faintest With MUSE," or LEWIS, observing program, conducted by the MUSE integral field spectrograph that's installed on the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The VLT is the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and is situated in Chile. UDGs were first discovered in 2015; the formation and evolution of these ultrafaint, strangely elongated galaxies immediately presented a puzzle for astronomers. The LEWIS findings allowed the new study's team to determine that UDGs dwell in environments that greatly vary in terms of their physical properties, the amount of dark matter they contain and the motions and compositions of their stars. Specifically, the scientists were able to conduct a detailed investigation of the UDG designated "UDG32." This dwarf galaxy is located at the tail end of a filament of gas attached to the spiral galaxy dubbed "NGC 3314A." One possible theory regarding the formation of UDGs suggests they form when filaments of gas are dragged from larger galaxies via gravitational interactions. If gas clouds remain in these filaments, these clouds can become overly dense and collapse, forming stars that become the foundation of a UDG. The data from LEWIS confirmed that UDG32's association with the filament tail of NGC3314A isn't the result of a coincidental alignment. There's something more that makes UDG32 appear to be situated at the tip of NGC3314A's tidal tail. Additionally, UDG32 is more enriched in elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, which astronomers collectively call "metals," than other UDGs in the Hydra are forged by the nuclear processes occurring at the hearts of stars and are dispersed when these stars explode at the ends of their lives to become the building blocks of the next generation of stars. This is interesting because, despite the stars in UDG32 being younger than the stars in other Hydra cluster UDGs, they are richer in metals. This suggests they formed in the pre-metal-enriched gas and dust shed by a larger and more ancient galaxy, supporting the idea that this UDG was dragged from its spiral galaxy neighbor. Related Stories: — Largest-ever discovery of 'missing link' black holes revealed by dark energy camera (video) — Rare string of 'cosmic pearls' dance together in the universe — Black holes can squash star formation, James Webb Space Telescope finds The team's results are important validation for the LEWIS project, which has thus far doubled the number of UDGs that have been analyzed spectroscopically. Additionally, LEWIS has provided the first "global" view of these faint galaxies within a galaxy cluster that is still forming. "The LEWIS project was a challenge. When this program was accepted by ESO we realized that it was a goldmine of data to be explored. And that is what it turned out to be," Enrichetta Iodice, the LEWIS scientific director, said in the statement. "The 'strength' of LEWIS, thanks to the integral spectroscopy of the instrument used, lies in being able to study simultaneously, for each individual galaxy, not only the motions of the stars, but also the average stellar population," Iodice added, "and, therefore, have indications on the formation age and the properties of globular clusters, fundamental tracers also for the dark matter content. "By putting together the individual results, like in a puzzle, we reconstruct the formation history of these systems." The team's research was detailed across two papers published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
These dwarf galaxies in the Hydra cluster are baffling scientists: 'We found something we didn't expect'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Astronomers have discovered something surprising about the universe's smallest and faintest class of galaxies: Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies (UDGs). A research team studying these galaxies found that around half of the ones they investigated showed signs of motion that defy previous theories about the formation and evolution of such realms. In particular, the team found an unexpected rotational motion of stars within many of these dwarf galaxies. The scientists reached these findings while studying stellar motion in 30 UDGs in the Hydra galaxy cluster located over 160 million light-years away from us. The findings could change our understanding of how UDGs form and evolve. "The results we obtained were doubly satisfying," Chiara Buttitta, a researcher at the National Institute for Astrophysics and co-author of a paper on these results, said in a statement. "Not only were we able to deduce the stellar motions in these extremely faint galaxies, but we found something we didn't expect to observe."The team utilized the "Looking into the faintest With MUSE," or LEWIS, observing program, conducted by the MUSE integral field spectrograph that's installed on the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The VLT is the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and is situated in Chile. UDGs were first discovered in 2015; the formation and evolution of these ultrafaint, strangely elongated galaxies immediately presented a puzzle for astronomers. The LEWIS findings allowed the new study's team to determine that UDGs dwell in environments that greatly vary in terms of their physical properties, the amount of dark matter they contain and the motions and compositions of their stars. Specifically, the scientists were able to conduct a detailed investigation of the UDG designated "UDG32." This dwarf galaxy is located at the tail end of a filament of gas attached to the spiral galaxy dubbed "NGC 3314A." One possible theory regarding the formation of UDGs suggests they form when filaments of gas are dragged from larger galaxies via gravitational interactions. If gas clouds remain in these filaments, these clouds can become overly dense and collapse, forming stars that become the foundation of a UDG. The data from LEWIS confirmed that UDG32's association with the filament tail of NGC3314A isn't the result of a coincidental alignment. There's something more that makes UDG32 appear to be situated at the tip of NGC3314A's tidal tail. Additionally, UDG32 is more enriched in elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, which astronomers collectively call "metals," than other UDGs in the Hydra are forged by the nuclear processes occurring at the hearts of stars and are dispersed when these stars explode at the ends of their lives to become the building blocks of the next generation of stars. This is interesting because, despite the stars in UDG32 being younger than the stars in other Hydra cluster UDGs, they are richer in metals. This suggests they formed in the pre-metal-enriched gas and dust shed by a larger and more ancient galaxy, supporting the idea that this UDG was dragged from its spiral galaxy neighbor. Related Stories: — Largest-ever discovery of 'missing link' black holes revealed by dark energy camera (video) — Rare string of 'cosmic pearls' dance together in the universe — Black holes can squash star formation, James Webb Space Telescope finds The team's results are important validation for the LEWIS project, which has thus far doubled the number of UDGs that have been analyzed spectroscopically. Additionally, LEWIS has provided the first "global" view of these faint galaxies within a galaxy cluster that is still forming. "The LEWIS project was a challenge. When this program was accepted by ESO we realized that it was a goldmine of data to be explored. And that is what it turned out to be," Enrichetta Iodice, the LEWIS scientific director, said in the statement. "The 'strength' of LEWIS, thanks to the integral spectroscopy of the instrument used, lies in being able to study simultaneously, for each individual galaxy, not only the motions of the stars, but also the average stellar population," Iodice added, "and, therefore, have indications on the formation age and the properties of globular clusters, fundamental tracers also for the dark matter content. "By putting together the individual results, like in a puzzle, we reconstruct the formation history of these systems." The team's research was detailed across two papers published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
