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Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
New Pope Update: Cardinals to Begin Largest Ever Conclave
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, 133 cardinal electors have launched the largest conclave in modern times to select the next pope. The world is waiting to see who will replace Pope Francis after the gathering, which reflects his expansive, international appointments to the College of Cardinals, making it markedly more diverse and less Eurocentric than past conclaves. What Time Does the Conclave Begin? The Wednesday ceremonies began with mass at St. Peter's Basilica at 10 a.m. local time. It was conducted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who also led Pope Francis' funeral service. At around 4:15 p.m., the cardinals will gather in the Pauline Chapel to form a procession to the Sistine Chapel while singing the hymn Veni Creator, an invocation to the Holy Spirit. The conclave will officially begin when all nonessential personnel are ordered to leave the chapel following the pronouncement of "extra omnes" ("everyone out") by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Diego Ravelli. From that point, cardinals are isolated from the outside world, with no phones or TVs, until a pope is selected, with Swiss Guards stationed at every entrance of the Sistine Chapel. What Happens in the Conclave? Voting takes place twice each morning and twice each afternoon. Ballots are distributed by Vatican officials and collected in strict secrecy. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. If no one secures that on the first ballot, the cardinals return to their guesthouse, Casa Santa Marta, for dinner and informal discussions before voting resumes the next day. Daily routines continue, with meals and prayers structured between voting sessions. Notably, kitchen staff and waiters are also sworn to secrecy and confined to Vatican grounds for the duration of the conclave. After each round of voting, ballots are burned. If no pope is selected, chemicals produce black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. White smoke, accompanied by the ringing of bells, signals that a new pope has been elected. The elected cardinal is then asked if he accepts the role. Upon acceptance, he immediately becomes pope and selects a papal name. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in the New Hall of the Synod at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the last time before the start of the conclave starting in the afternoon of Wenesday, May 7,... Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in the New Hall of the Synod at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the last time before the start of the conclave starting in the afternoon of Wenesday, May 7, when they will elect the successor of Pope Francis. More AP When can we expect to see a Conclave smoke signal? Cardinals do not have to vote on Wednesday but they can. A possible time for first smoke on Thursday would be after 10:30 a.m., if it is white smoke (meaning a new pope has been elected) and after 12 p.m. if no pope is elected, Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni told Vatican News. In the event of an inconclusive vote, Cardinals would return to Santa Marta for lunch at 12:30 p.m. and then back to the Apostolic Palace at 3:45 p.m. to resume voting in the Sistine Chapel at 4:30 p.m. If a pope is elected in an afternoon vote, white smoke can be expected after 5:30 p.m., or if a pope is not elected, black smoke should appear at around 7 p.m. Why It Matters This conclave not only sets a record in participation but also comes at a moment of division within the Church. The cardinals are split between supporters of Pope Francis' reforms and traditionalists who have been vocal about reversing his policies. The next pope will shape the spiritual direction and administrative governance of the Catholic Church, the largest in the world, during a critical moment of transformation. As the first conclave of the post-Francis era, it will determine whether the Church continues down the reformist path he charted or shifts toward a more traditional model of leadership. What Happens Next If no pope is elected within three days, the cardinals will take a day of reflection before resuming the process. While a pope can theoretically be elected in the first round, this has not occurred in centuries. Modern conclaves often last between one and five days, depending on how quickly consensus can be reached. The most recent, in 2013, elected Francis on the second day.
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Next Pope Update: Four Frontrunners Emerge as Conclave Starts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the conclave to elect the next pope begins Wednesday at the Vatican, four candidates have emerged as clear favorites—Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, Matteo Zuppi and Pierbattista Pizzaballa. They all have more than a 10 percent probability of being selected to replace Pope Francis as the head of the Catholic church, according to the betting site Polymarket. Why It Matters The next pope will shape the spiritual direction and administrative governance of the Catholic Church during a critical moment of transformation. As the first conclave of the post-Francis era, it will determine whether the Church continues down the reformist path he charted or shifts toward a more traditional model of leadership. The outcome carries far-reaching implications—from the Church's approach to sexuality and doctrine to its geopolitical influence across regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where Catholicism continues to expand. What To Know As of Tuesday, Polymarket lists the following odds based on total trading volume of more than $17.6 million: Pietro Parolin – 26 percent likelihood, with more than $1.1 million in bets. – 26 percent likelihood, with more than $1.1 million in bets. Luis Antonio Tagle – 20 percent, with $1.26 million wagered. – 20 percent, with $1.26 million wagered. Matteo Zuppi – 11 percent, with $837,000 in trading volume. – 11 percent, with $837,000 in trading volume. Pierbattista Pizzaballa – 9 percent, with $861,000 wagered. These four candidates are the only ones with more than a 10 percent chance of winning, creating a clear tier of favorites going into the conclave. Other notable names such as Péter Erdő, Peter Turkson, and Jean-Marc Aveline remain in the single-digit range, suggesting a sharp drop-off in perceived viability beyond the top four. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in the New Hall of the Synod at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the last time before the start of the conclave starting in the afternoon of Wenesday, May 7,... Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in the New Hall of the Synod at the Vatican, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the last time before the start of the conclave starting in the afternoon of Wenesday, May 7, when they will elect the successor of Pope Francis. More AP How Does the Conclave Process Work? The conclave begins Wednesday with 135 eligible cardinals—those under the age of 80—gathering in the Sistine Chapel, where they are locked in seclusion from the outside world. The word "conclave" comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning "with a key," underscoring the strict privacy of the process. The men will have to swear an oath of secrecy and and are reminded of their duty to seek God's will above all, according to eCatholic Teachings. The voting process involves secret ballots, and a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority to be elected. On the first day, usually only one ballot is cast. From the second day onward, up to four ballots may be conducted daily—two in the morning and two in the afternoon. After each round of voting, ballots are burned. If no pope is selected, chemicals produce black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. White smoke, accompanied by the ringing of bells, signals that a new pope has been elected. The elected cardinal is then asked if he accepts the role. Upon acceptance, he immediately becomes pope and selects a papal name. The world is notified with the proclamation "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a pope!"), followed by his first public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. There, he delivers the Urbi et Orbi blessing—to the city and to the world. Modern conclaves often last between one and five days, depending on how quickly consensus can be reached. The most recent, in 2013, elected Francis on the second day. What People Are Saying Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, told The Times: "When the conclave begins, it is very much about prayerful listening and trying to be attentive. I've got to be still enough inside of me to catch the resonance of what is being said." Rev. Dr Andrzej Choromanski, from the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, said on Tuesday at an ecumenical prayer service for the conclave organized by the World Council of Churches, "The election of a pope is not a political act, nor is it merely administrative. It is, when properly understood, a deeply spiritual moment of discernment when the church seeks a shepherd after the heart of Christ." What Happens Next Balloting is set to begin Wednesday afternoon following the Mass and oaths. If no candidate is selected in the initial rounds, voting will continue twice daily until one reaches the two-thirds threshold. Crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square will watch the chimney for signs of progress. With speculation running high and a field of prominent candidates in play, the Catholic Church may soon welcome its 267th pope before the end of the week.
