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The Age
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
First conclave vote to elect new pope fails as black smoke emerges
Vatican City: The first vote in the papal conclave to select a successor to Pope Francis ended in failure on Wednesday evening, with black smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel's chimney at 9pm local time. More than 30,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square to witness the time-honoured tradition which signified that no candidate had garnered the two-thirds majority needed to become the new pope. The record 133 cardinals cast their ballots over more than three hours in the first round of voting. Giant screens had shown the opening procession of the conclave as thousands of pilgrims gathered to wait at St Peter's Square, along with thousands of the world's press. By 6.30pm they had crammed in to await a result. Having grown restless by 8.30pm, they began slow clapping and cheering as the sun set over the famed basilica. They let out an audible gasp followed by cheering as the black smoke billowed out the makeshift chimney, which was installed at the weekend. Cardinals, representing 70 countries, filed into the iconic chapel earlier in the day, the doors slamming shut behind them. Inside, the air was thick with anticipation as the cardinals chanted prayers like the Litany of the Saints and the Veni Creator, seeking guidance for the monumental task ahead. Sequestered from the outside world and without access to modern technology, they have sworn an oath of secrecy to ensure the integrity of the election. They will remain inside the Vatican's walls until a new pope is chosen. Four rounds of voting will be held daily – in the morning and in the afternoon – with smoke signalling the result of each session. If no consensus is reached after three days of voting, the cardinals will take a 24-hour break for reflection, a tradition that has not been needed since 1831, when no conclave lasted more than four days. Ahead of the first vote, cardinals were urged to choose a leader 'the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.'
Sydney Morning Herald
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
First conclave vote to elect new pope fails as black smoke emerges
Vatican City: The first vote in the papal conclave to select a successor to Pope Francis ended in failure on Wednesday evening, with black smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel's chimney at 9pm local time. More than 30,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square to witness the time-honoured tradition which signified that no candidate had garnered the two-thirds majority needed to become the new pope. The record 133 cardinals cast their ballots over more than three hours in the first round of voting. Giant screens had shown the opening procession of the conclave as thousands of pilgrims gathered to wait at St Peter's Square, along with thousands of the world's press. By 6.30pm they had crammed in to await a result. Having grown restless by 8.30pm, they began slow clapping and cheering as the sun set over the famed basilica. They let out an audible gasp followed by cheering as the black smoke billowed out the makeshift chimney, which was installed at the weekend. Cardinals, representing 70 countries, filed into the iconic chapel earlier in the day, the doors slamming shut behind them. Inside, the air was thick with anticipation as the cardinals chanted prayers like the Litany of the Saints and the Veni Creator, seeking guidance for the monumental task ahead. Sequestered from the outside world and without access to modern technology, they have sworn an oath of secrecy to ensure the integrity of the election. They will remain inside the Vatican's walls until a new pope is chosen. Four rounds of voting will be held daily – in the morning and in the afternoon – with smoke signalling the result of each session. If no consensus is reached after three days of voting, the cardinals will take a 24-hour break for reflection, a tradition that has not been needed since 1831, when no conclave lasted more than four days. Ahead of the first vote, cardinals were urged to choose a leader 'the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.'
Nahar Net
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Senior cardinal urges conclave voters to pick pope who seeks unity
With all the pomp, drama and solemnity that the Catholic Church can muster, 133 cardinals on Wednesday began centuries-old rituals to elect a successor to Pope Francis, celebrating a morning Mass before opening the most geographically diverse conclave in the faith's 2,000-year history. The dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presided over the service, urging the voters to set aside all personal interests and find a pope who prizes unity. The world today needs a leader who can awaken consciences, he said. From the altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Re prayed that the cardinals can agree "on the pope that our time needs," as he offered a final set of marching orders before they enter the Sistine Chapel later Wednesday to begin the secret voting. Hailing from 70 countries, the cardinals are being sequestered from the outside world, their cellphones surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican jammed to prevent all communications until they find a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member church. Francis named 108 of the 133 "princes of the church," choosing many pastors in his image from far-flung countries like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga that had never had a cardinal before. His decision to surpass the usual limit of 120 cardinal electors and include younger ones from the "global south" — often marginalized countries with lower economic clout — has injected an unusual degree of uncertainty in a process that is always full of mystery and suspense, with smoke signals telling the world if a pope has been elected or not. Many cardinals hadn't met one another until last week and lamented they needed more time to get to know each another, raising questions about how long it might take for one man to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots, necessary to become the 267th pope. "Wait and see, a little patience, wait and see," said Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Vatican's ambassador to Syria. A final Mass, then 'All out' The cardinals began the day by participating in the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, attended by Vatican officials and the public as pilgrims outside braved brief rain showers to watch the proceedings on giant TV screens. The 91-year-old dean of the college, Re, prayed for cardinals to find the wisdom, counsel and understanding to elect a worthy new shepherd. Wearing bright red vestments, the cardinals processed down the central aisle of the basilica as the Sistine Chapel's boys' choir sang. They took up their seats around the main altar, which lies above the traditional burial place of St. Peter, considered to be the first pope. Re had presided at Francis' funeral, delivering a heartfelt sermon on the reforming 12-year papacy overseen by Francis, history's first Latin American pope. At 4:30 p.m. (1430 GMT; 10:30 a.m. EDT) the cardinals will walk solemnly into the Sistine Chapel, chanting the meditative "Litany of the Saints" and the Latin hymn "Veni Creator," imploring the saints and the Holy Spirit to help them pick a pope. Once there, they pledge to maintain secrecy about what is about to transpire and to not allow any interference from outsiders to influence their voting. Standing before Michelangelo's vision of heaven and hell in "The Last Judgment," each cardinal places his hand on the Gospel and swears to carry out that duty. The awesomeness of the chapel's frescoes, and Michelangelo's in particular, is meant to remind the cardinals of the weighty responsibility they bear. In his regulations for the conclave, St. John Paul II wrote that in the Sistine Chapel, "everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God." After the cardinals take their oaths, a senior cardinal delivers a meditation. The master of papal liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, calls out "Extra omnes," Latin for "all out." Anyone not eligible to vote then leaves and the chapel doors close, allowing the work to begin. The cardinals don't have to take a first vote on Wednesday, but they are expected to. Assuming no winner is found, the Vatican said black smoke could be expected out of the Sistine Chapel chimney at around 7 p.m. The cardinals retire for the night and return Thursday morning. They can hold up to two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon until a winner is found. While cardinals this week said they expected a short conclave, it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting. For much of the past century, it has taken between three and 14 ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the fourth ballot. His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013. Lobbying before the conclave While the cardinals are supposed to resist any "secular" influences in their choice, such lobbying abounded in Rome in the days before the conclave as various groups reminded cardinals of what ordinary Catholics want in a leader. Young Catholics penned an open letter reminding cardinals that there is no church without young people, women and the laity. Conservative Catholic media slipped cardinals copies of a glossy book containing their assessments of contenders. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse warned cardinals that they would be held accountable if they failed to find a leader who will crack down on decades of abuse and cover-up. Advocates for women's ordination were sending pink smoke signals over the Vatican to demand that women be allowed to be priests and participate in a conclave. Even the White House got involved, posting a photo of President Donald Trump dressed as a pope. Trump said it was a joke, but the gesture was denounced by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi as "indecent" political interference in matters of faith that harked back to times when secular rulers habitually wielded religion to stay in power. Lisette Herrera, a 54-year-old tourist from the Dominican Republic, was deeply moved to find herself by chance in Rome as the conclave began. She decided Wednesday morning to skip the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain and pray instead in St. Peter's Square. "I'm praying to the Holy Spirit for a young pope who would stay with us for a long time," she said. "I don't believe in conclave politics, I just feel that the Holy Spirit is here and that's all we need to know." Armando Statti, a pilgrim from Crotone, Italy, said he expected cardinals would settle on a pope in the image of Francis or John Paul II. "We hope he will be announced as soon as possible, for the sake of the whole world and for peace, and that he will embrace everyone," he said. Challenges facing a new pope Many challenges face the new pope and weigh on the cardinals — above all whether to continue and consolidate Francis' progressive legacy on promoting women, LGBTQ+ acceptance, the environment and migrants, or roll it back to try to unify a church that became more polarized during his pontificate. The clergy sex abuse scandal hung over the pre-conclave talks. Since Francis chose 80% of the voters, continuity is likely, but the form it might take is uncertain and identifying front-runners has been a challenge. But some names keep appearing on lists of "papabile," or cardinals having the qualities to be pope. — Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, an Italian who was Francis' secretary of state and the Vatican No. 2, is a leading contender. — Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, is a top candidate to be history's first Asian pope. He had a similarly high-profile job, heading the Vatican's evangelization office responsible for the Catholic Church in much of the developing world. — Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, the archbishop of Budapest, is a leading candidate representing the more conservative wing of the church.
CNN
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
The world waits for a new pope
Cardinals attend a Mass at the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica before the start of the papal conclave on Wednesday. () Much of the world's attention is on the Vatican, where the conclave has begun and cardinals are meeting to select a successor to Pope Francis. Francis, the only Latin American pontiff in history, died last month at the age of 88. His funeral, held on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica, was attended by heads of state, royalty and more than 250,000 mourners. Now, with the pope laid to rest, we wait to see who will be the next leader of the Catholic Church. The papal conclave, a centuries-old tradition, can be as suspenseful as it is secretive. Nuns walk through St. Peter's Square on Wednesday. (Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images) Cardinals dress to celebrate Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday. (Oliver Weiken/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP) A view of St. Peter's Square, as seen from the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images) The conclave began on Wednesday, with 133 cardinals attending. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote in a papal election. It started with a special Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Later, the cardinals assembled at the Pauline Chapel before walking to the Sistine Chapel to the chant of the 'Veni Creator.' It is at the Sistine Chapel where voting will take place until a new pope is chosen. During conclave, the chapel is placed under total lockdown to guarantee secrecy. In 2013, signal blockers were installed to prevent any calls, texts or internet access. People in St. Peter's Square watch a screen Wednesday that shows cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. (Kevin Coombs/Reuters) The Room of Tears is a small room next to the Sistine Chapel where the newly elected pope will don the white papal vestments for the first time. (Vatican Media/Reuters) As many as four votes a day can take place each day — two in the morning and two in the afternoon. A candidate needs two-thirds of the votes cast to be elected. The results of each vote are revealed to the outside world only by the smoke that comes out from the chimney each time ballots are burned. Black smoke means no pope has been chosen. White smoke means the opposite, and it will be met by huge cheers from crowds who have gathered nearby. The last two conclaves — held in 2005 to elect Pope Benedict XVI and in 2013 to elect Pope Francis — lasted two days. A firefighter works to set a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on Friday. White smoke will emerge from the chimney when a new pope is elected. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters) This conclave will be 'one of the most diverse that we've had in the history of the church,' Susan Timoney, a professor at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC, previously told CNN. During Francis' 12-year papacy, he appointed more than 20 cardinals from nations that had never previously had a cardinal — nearly all from developing countries, including Mongolia, Laos, Papua New Guinea and Mali. Most of the cardinals in the conclave also owe their positions to Pope Francis. Of the 133 cardinals who are voting, Francis installed 108. Officials, members of the clergy, and conclave staff take an oath of secrecy in the Pauline Chapel on Monday. (Vatican Media/Reuters) Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrives for a general congregation meeting on Tuesday. (Eloisa Lopez/Reuters) Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, the archbishop of Algiers, Algeria, arrives in Rome on Tuesday. (Amanda Perobelli/Reuters) Shortly after a pope is selected, the dean of the College of Cardinals, or the most senior cardinal bishop, will ask the chosen candidate whether he accepts his election and what papal name he wants to take. The pope-elect will then change into traditional papal robes in the Room of Tears, a small room next to the Sistine Chapel. The Cardinal Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals will appear at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and announce in Latin 'Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; Habemus Papam!' ('I announce to you a great joy; we have a Pope!') The new pope will then follow him and deliver his first apostolic blessing, known as the 'Urbi et Orbi' ('To the City and to the World'). Nuns from Poland take in a view of the Vatican on Monday. () Red drapes are installed on the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where the new pope will be introduced to the world. ()
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
New Pope Update: Cardinals to Begin Largest Ever Conclave
World New Pope Update: Cardinals to Begin Largest Ever Conclave Vaitcan. 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. AP 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. 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. Related Articles 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC. This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 7:24 AM.
