One hundred and thirty-three cardinals kidnapped behind the Vatican’s medieval walls for a conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
The cardinals are cut from the world to the Vatican, between the residences and the Sistine Chapel, where they vote in secret – and in silence – under the famous ceiling fresco of Michelangelo of Creation and its monumental “Last Judgment”.
The Associated Press has a live flow here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbk3jlqifom
The process – fictitious in the political thriller of 2024 “conclave” – would be guided by the Holy Spirit, and is designed to be both contemplative and exempt from external interference.
By taking no risk, the Vatican asks the cardinals to put their phone during the conclave and deactivates the coverage of the mobile phone to the Vatican. He uses signs around the Sistine Chapel and the Domus Santa Marta hotel and the adjacent residence where cardinals sleep, to prevent surveillance and communication with the outside world.
Here are some things to know about the election of the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, which has 1.4 billion faithful around the world.
White or black smoke signals?
Voters have made paper ballots and the vote continues until a candidate receives a majority of two thirds or 89 votes. After having voted, the ballots are burned in a special stove – black smoke does not report any decision, while white smoke means that a new pope has been chosen.
A first round produced black smoke which became the night sky on Wednesday, sending a crowd disappointed to disperse in all directions.
Voters must be under 80 years old and are more geographically diversified than ever. They represent the growing presence of Catholicism in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as its traditional power base in Europe.
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This photograph shows that the black smoke rises from the chapel of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the cardinals failed to elect a new pope during the first voting bulletin of their conclave at the Vatican on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Andreas Solaro / AFP via Getty Images)
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This photograph shows that the black smoke rises from the chapel of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the cardinals failed to elect a new pope during the first voting bulletin of their conclave at the Vatican on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Andreas Solaro / AFP via Getty Images)
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What’s going on after choosing a new pope?
Once a candidate receives the necessary votes and accepts, he chooses a papal name and enters the “Salle des tears” – the name of the emotional weight of the responsibility to come – to put on his papal clothes.
A few minutes later, it was presented to the world of the Balcony of the Saint-Pierre Basilica with the Latin proclamation: “Annintio vobis Gaudium Magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I bring you news with great joy: we have a pope!”)
This will be immediately followed by the revelation of his baptismal name, in Latin, followed by the papal name he chose.
Why is the Pope important beyond the Catholic Church?
Although the pope leads a religious institution, his influence extends far beyond. Pope John Paul II played a central role by supporting the solidarity movement in his native Poland and encouraging resistance to Soviet domination in Eastern Europe. His moral leadership has been credited by many for helping to accelerate the end of the Cold War.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff in Latin America, has become an important voice on global issues of climate change in migration and economic inequalities. He called for compassion towards refugees, warned the dangers of nationalism and urged the action to protect the planet – the positions that resonated far beyond the walls of the Church and sometimes disagreed with political leaders.
A name to report a papal direction
The first sign of the new Pope’s priorities will come from the name he chooses.
A Francis II could point out the embrace of a new Pope of Francis’ heritage to prioritize the poor and marginalize; A Piui would allude to a traditionalist restoration.
The coverage of the Associated Press Religion receives support thanks to the collaboration of the AP with the conversation in the United States, with the financing of Lilly Endowment Inc. AP is solely responsible for this content.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
