Black Smoke Over Vatican: Conclave Fails to Elect New Pope – Live Updates
LIVE – Last updated at 20:38
The cardinals will return for additional ballots tomorrow, potentially holding up to four rounds of voting.
Closing summary
... and with that said, I'm signing off. Jakub Krupa , for today.
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Plumes of black smoke have emerged from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signalling that the 133 cardinals sealed off inside have not succeeded in choosing a new pope on the first day of conclave ( 21:01 , 21:21 , all times in CEST ).
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This outcome was not unforeseen. ( 21:04 – Only once in history has the Pope been elected on the first ballot, more than five centuries ago.
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The cardinals will be returning for additional ballots tomorrow as the conclave carries on : with up to four sessions; two in the morning, two in the afternoon ( 21:17 ).
And here are our explainers to help you understand the process better:
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Who are the main candidates ?
Related: Who will be the next pope? Leading candidates for the conclave to consider
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What is the number of voting rounds? are usually needed? ( 19:00 )
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Who are the electors ? ( 18:35 )
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The Sistine Chapel, Santa Maria guesthouse – key locations ( 18:06 )
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How the voting process works? ( 16:52 )
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Brief history of conclaves past ( 16:15 )
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What’s the in-tray for the newly elected pope ( 14:50 )
Related: Papal in-tray: new pontiff will have to hit ground running on many urgent issues
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Our Today in Focus podcast on “how to pick a pope”
Related: How to pick a pope - podcast
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
If you have Any ideas, feedback, or recommendations? Email me at jakub.krupa@NewsInA.Day.
I'm also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Loyalists respond to black smoke – in images
Black smoke signals first day of Vatican conclave has failed to elect new pope
Columns of dark smoke have appeared from the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel, signalling that the 133 cardinals sealed off inside have failed to elect a new pope on the first day of conclave.
Following the official parade to the Sistine Chapel, with every cardinal involved, taking the vow of confidentiality , The initial voting phase only commenced around 5:45 pm local time.
Then everyone turned their attention to the well-known chimney, which was zealously protected by a seagull for some of the time the cardinals were voting.
After a tense wait, black smoke finally appeared at 9:05pm – to loud applause from the crowd of more than 45,000 below.
The conclave will continue on Thursday, and end only when a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month aged 88 , is found.
Related: Dark smoke indicates failure to choose a new Pope on the initial day of the papal conclave at the Vatican.
What to expect tomorrow?
Up to four vote tallies will take place tomorrow. (in the days that followed)
The initial event is scheduled for 9:30 am local time (8:30 am BST), with the subsequent one anticipated around noon (11 am local time).
Afterwards, they will have a lunch break until 4 pm, followed by anticipated additional sessions at approximately 5:30 pm and 7 pm local time (4:30 pm and 6 pm).
For now, the electors will go back to Santa Marta guesthouse for their dinner – but will be back in the Sistine Chapel tomorrow.
Black smoke from Sistine Chapel - snap analysis
Well, that was expected – even if took longer than we anticipated.
We have 133 cardinal electors , a number of which are newcomers – appointed by Pope Francis – and as such, they aren’t very familiar with one another.
They will understandably require additional time to make up my mind about the appropriate individual to be confirmed as Pope.
The postponement is intriguing, yet there could be numerous explanations behind it, and speculating would not be prudent.
The Cardinals will return for additional votes tomorrow. Up to four rounds, if necessary. Two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
Black smoke emerges at Vatican as conclave fails to elect pope
No decision in the first round of the vote.
We are now well into the fourth hour since the doors to the Sistine Chapel were closed.
The darkness deepens over the Vatican as countless devotees gather in St Peter’s Square and an immense audience worldwide anticipates the outcome of the initial ballot.
A reader sends an email asking a valid question regarding the history of Roman seagulls and their migration inland.
Individually, I am clueless, yet utterly adore the query.
Despite what was previously stated, it appears that our correspondent in Rome Angela Giuffirda provides a glimpse of potential answers in one of her latest reports from Rome, the Italian capital:
[A Rome zoologist Andrea] Lunerti said: “Rome really needs to get a grip on its waste management, otherwise we will be seeing even more snakes and hornets, let alone the rats and seagulls – as there are more seagulls in Rome than in Fregene, which is a nearby seaside town. ”
He said that At least the seagulls assisted in decreasing the population of rodents and serpents. He mentioned, 'A snake was seized by a seagull and then dropped onto a terrace,' adding that 'the city has turned into quite the jungle.'
Related: 'It’s like living in a jungle': Rome's rodent and reptile surge linked to rubbish issues
Venice faced a similar issue last year when it temporarily shut down its airport due to seagulls, which seems logical considering where it is situated.
Related: Seagulls force Venice’s Marco Polo airport to close briefly
Related: Hotel guests in Venice provided with water guns to deter seagulls
If you have knowledge about the complete tale of the Roman seagulls, kindly send an email to me at jakub.krupa@News In A Day .
As we wait…
A lot of people following the real-life conclave probably watched The Academy Award-winning film featuring Ralph Fiennes to see what to expect to happen in the next few days.
(I certainly did and, if Politico is to be believed , even some of the actual cardinals taking part in it did, too.)
And my colleague Adrian Horton asked the right question:
As an adept and thoroughly engaging thriller about the secretive procedure of selecting a new Pope, one can anticipate folks to view Conclave As near to a documentary as laypeople can get to the excitement. However, how precise is it?
Well, according to experts, more spot-on than not, And at the bare minimum, thoroughly investigated.
Here are their complete responses:
Related: Specialists discuss accuracy of Conclave film: 'It gets many specifics correct'
A user of X even created a helpful side-by-side cut here, if you wish to contrast the fictional elements with real life.
All attention focused on the Sistine Chapel’s chimney – in pictures
The waiting goes on. By now, I believe I can identify most of the seagulls on this rooftop.
While we await either black or white smoke following the initial ballot, some Catholic women campaigners released pink smoke from flares, and demanded that women be allowed to seek ordination , AFP reported.
“We are saying to the cardinals, you cannot keep ignoring 50% of the Catholic population, you cannot go into a locked room and discuss the future of the Church without half of the Church,” said Miriam Duignan.
“Whoever they elect needs to be brave enough to properly tackle the question of women’s inclusion, because so far it has not been, even by Pope Francis,” said Duignan, of the Wijngaards Institute in Cambridge.
In the global church as a whole, women have begun to take some senior lay roles, a process that accelerated a little under Pope Francis’s papacy.
But even those who have studied theology and church ministry are excluded from the priesthood, and only priests hold the most senior leadership roles, AFP noted.
Anticipation in the Vatican – in pictures
If you wonder about the chemistry behind the Vatican smoke , here’s our explainer from the last conclave in 2013.
Related: Sistine Chapel smoke: a chemistry lesson from the Vatican
How many votes are usually needed to elect pope?
Historically, some of the conclaves were really drawn out: in 13th century, they needed three years, over 1,000 days, to choose Gregory X.
There was also one that ended on the same day, although it started earlier in the morning: Julius II in 1503 was elected after just 10 hours.
However, over the past 150 years, it has been typically a far quicker procedure : the longest, for Pius XI In 1922, it took 5 days.
Francis was chosen on the second day in 2013, following five rounds of voting; likewise, Benedict XVI it only took four rounds for him to be confirmed as the new pope in 2005, just like he did John Paul I in 1978.
A little more time was required for confirmation. John Paul II — three days, eight rounds — in 1978, and John XXIII In 1958, he won by 11 votes over four days. However, his direct predecessor, Pius XII was elected after just three rounds.
Therefore, the recent past appears to indicate We might very well have a new pope before the weekend.
However, because the procedure is highly confidential and involves numerous variables, coupled with an unprecedented high number of cardinals participating this year, it’s impossible to foresee what transpires within those sealed-off walls.
Let’s see.
Live stream from chimney camera
If your aim is to ensure you do this right, Don't overlook the outcome of the initial ballot. when it comes, here’s our live stream featuring the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel:
Who are the electors? - visuals
This conclave is billed as the largest and possibly the most unpredictable conclave to ever take place. So let’s take a look at the Vatican’s own statistics.
There are 133 cardinals electors ( well, technically there are 135, but two were too ill to attend) from 70 countries, up from 115 representatives from 48 countries at the previous assembly in 2013.
The youngest one is Mykola Bychok , 45, hails from Ukraine; the eldest is Carlos Osoro Sierra , who will turn 80 in under two weeks. Individuals aged 80 and above are not participating in this process.
107 of them were selected by the Pope Francis , 21 by Pope Benedict XVI , and five by Pope John Paul II .
The The successful candidate requires a supermajority of at least two-thirds, which equates to 89 votes, for election.
Then, where exactly do they originate from?
The greatest national representation originates from Italy (17) ahead of the US (10), Brazil (7), Spain and France (5 each).
Here is what it appears like on the map:
Sure, we've discussed who the favorites are (and why they typically don't prevail), so now let's examine who the voters are.
"Extra omenes" as chapel doors shut - video
To provide you with a clearer understanding of the space and our location, here’s a helpful visualization.
Santa Maria guesthouse , on the left, is where the cardinals sleep during the conclave; the Sistine Chapel is on the opposite side of St Peter’s Basilica.
In preparation for the conclave, the chapel has been swept for bugging devices, with windows covered and signal jammers turned on to make sure no one interferes with the electoral process.
Once we (eventually) get the new pope – announced with that famous phrase, Habemus Papam! – he will appear at the main balcony to be announced to the faithful in St Peter’s Square and the world, and we will learn about his new papal name.
As the doors to the Sistine Chapel next, our focus shifts to the chimney on top of the chapel which we will tell us about the outcome of the votes taking place inside.
Get used to this sight; we will spend a lot of time looking at it in the coming hours and days!
Conclave under way as doors to Sistine Chapel close
The doors to the Sistine Chapel have now been locked.
The official election procedure begins from this point.
Following a short period of reflection, the initial ballot is anticipated to occur later today.
Following this, four ballots will take place daily until a contender achieves a supermajority of 89 votes.
Extra omnes!
After the personal oaths have been completed, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies is preparing to speak. “extra omnes” – everyone out.
Everyone present, excluding the cardinal electors along with a small group of officials and medical professionals, will now depart. The entrances will be secured.
Cardinals part with social media before conclave
Before entering the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon and swearing an oath of silence, some cardinals, who are required to surrendered their mobile phones as part of their sequestration from the outside world, scrambled to post messages on social media.
“Today I enter the conclave without a cell phone,” Chomali Garib , a cardinal from Chile, wrote on X last Tuesday.
Garib, who additionally shared a clip of himself cleaning a white shirt, mentioned that he feels "overwhelmed" by the responsibility of the election.
Jean Paul Vesco The Archbishop of Algiers sounded more optimistic.
He wrote on Facebook:
Tonight I step into the quiet of the conclave; I'm really looking forward to it.
This archaic 11 th A century-old institution is showcasing remarkable contemporaneity in this era dominated by excessive media consumption, social platforms, and our digital obsessions...without phones or internet access, the windows in our rooms remain permanently closed.
We will emerge with the proclamation: ‘ habemus papam’ (we have a pope).
What an adventure indeed!”
So, one last favourite I wanted to bring you the profile of is Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Italy.
Since 2020, Pizzaballa has been the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem , a crucial role in advocating for the Christian minority in the Holy Land.
After Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Pizzaballa volunteered to be held as collateral in exchange for children who were being detained by Hamas in Gaza.
He travelled to Gaza in May 2024 following several months of talks.
He would be anticipated to some facets of Francis’s guidance over the church continue , but has made few public statements on controversial issues.
Given everything mentioned above, I present you with all these names and biographies to provide you with an idea about whom the main contenders are believed to be .
Related: Who might become the next pope? Key contenders for the cardinals to deliberate during the conclave include
As the well-known adage suggests, Whoever arrives at the conclave as pope departs from it as a cardinal.
Favorites seldom prevail. After the gates shut, every outcome becomes possible.
Bologna archbishop Matteo Zuppi is another title among the brieflist of favorites.
Named as a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019, Zuppi is considered to be on the progressive wing of the church , and would be expected to continue Francis’s legacy , sharing the late pope’s concern for the poor and marginalised. He is (relatively) liberal on same-sex relationships.
Two years ago, Francis made him the Vatican peace envoy for Ukraine , in which capacity he visited Moscow to “encourage gestures of humanity”.
While there he met Patriarch Kirill , the leader of the Russian Orthodox church and Vladimir Putin’s ally.
He has also met Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president.
Peter Turkson From Ghana is also near the top of the contender list, and he has just taken an oath of confidentiality.
Here’s what Harriet and Sam say about him:
He would be the first black pope in centuries.
He has been active in addressing matters like the climate emergency, poverty, and economic fairness while upholding the church’s conventional stances Regarding the priesthood, marriages between men and women, and homosexual relationships.
However, His opinions on the latter have become more flexible. And he has contended that the legislation in numerous African nations is excessively severe. He has voiced concerns about corruption and human rights issues.
Cardinal Robert Sarah has only just taken his vow of confidentiality.
As Harriet and Sam explained :
He is a traditional, Orthodox cardinal who at one time sought to present himself as a “parallel authority” To Francis, as noted by a Vatican observer.
In 2020, he collaborated on a book with former Pope Benedict XVI. defending clerical celibacy That was viewed as a challenge to Francis's authority. He did so. denounced “gender ideology” as a threat to society , and has spoken out against Islamic fundamentalism .
Another leading conservative candidate is Hungarian Peter Erdő .
Here is his profile:
Erdő has been a a staunch supporter of conventional Catholic beliefs and teachings. This would mark a significant departure from Francis’s methodology.
He is widely regarded as a great intellect and a man of culture.
Erdő was a favourite of the late cardinal George Pell who believed he would restore the rule of law in the post-Francis Vatican.
In 2015, Erdő appeared to align himself with Hungary’s nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán , when He was against Francis’s appeal for churches to shelter migrants.
The cardinals are currently taking individual vows of confidentiality, with several frontrunners at the forefront, including Parolin ( 16:32 ), Tagle ( 14:00 ) , and Robert Francis Prevost.
This is how Harriet and Sam described Prevost:
Even though the Vatican has traditionally been against the notion of an American pope due to the nation’s superpower standing and its pervasive secular worldwide impact, The mild-mannered, Chicago-native Prevost remains an artist to keep an eye on.
In 2023, Pope Francis elevated the previous head of the Augustinian order to cardinal. selected by the previous Pope to lead the influential Dicastery for Bishops , responsible for overseeing the appointment of new bishops globally.
Those senior roles, combined with the fact that he has significant missionary experience in Peru, having served as bishop of the northern city of Chiclayo, may go some way to redeeming him in the eyes of those who would not usually countenance the idea of an American pope.
Inside the Sistine Chapel – in images
These are some of the initial images taken from within the Sistine Chapel.
The ceremony continues, with Parolin heading the prayers requesting "the spirit of wisdom, honesty, and tranquility" to "understand your intentions and commit fully to serving you."
Next, they will take their vows – starting collectively and followed by individually – pledging absolute confidentiality regarding the proceedings, and vowing to prevent any interference with the electoral process.
Sistine Chapel prepared for conclave
The Sistine Chapel has been specifically tailored for the voters to comply with the regulations of the procedure.
As evident from the live feed, every cardinal has been assigned a workspace where they find both an inkwell and a stack of voting papers inscribed with the phrase Eligo in summum pontificem (I choose as my pope) printed at the top.
During the voting rounds, They pen down their chosen name. , fold the paper in half and put it inside a bronze urn.
The voting ballots are tallied and retallied prior to being Threaded through a needle – puncturing the word eligo – into a bundle. The documents are incinerated in an oven.
In the absence of a result, chemicals are introduced to make the smoke black ; should there be a successful candidate, the chemicals turn the smoke white.
Just a reminder that you can watch the procession on the live stream at the top of this page.
Neighbouring with the Sistine Chapel, Pauline Chapel is also where officials and staff assigned to work around the conclave took an oath of secrecy earlier this week, a key obligation for performing their role during the election process.
Formal procession to Sistine Chapel under way
The official parade to the Sistine Chapel is beginning now in the Pauline Chapel in the Vatican.
You can follow the texts in Latin and Italian here.
The procession will be led not by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re (since he is too elderly to participate in the conclave), but by Pietro Parolin , the Vatican’s secretary of state, who is also one of the leading contenders to be selected as the next pope.
Here is his profile, by Harriet Sherwood and Sam Jones:
Parolin is seen as a moderate “continuity candidate”, as he was close to Francis. He has been the Vatican’s secretary of state since 2013, playing a key role in diplomatic affairs, including delicate negotiations with China and governments in the Middle East.
He is seen as a dependable and trustworthy Vatican envoy by those who work in diplomacy outside of religious institutions.
In 2018, he was the driving force behind a controversial agreement in conjunction with the Chinese government regarding bishop appointments, which has been denounced by some as capitulation to the Communist authorities.
Critics of Parolin view him as a modernizer and pragmatist who prioritizes ideological and diplomatic resolutions over the stringent realities of religious doctrine. However, his admirers regard him as a brave idealist and strong advocate for peace.
The sun has come out and pilgrims are starting to trickle in St Peter’s Square ahead of the beginning of conclave.
A huge group of pilgrims from Sardinia sang hymns as they walked along Via della Conciliazione , the main street connecting Rome with the Vatican.
Waiting on the edge of the square was Cinzia Caporali and her spouse, who hails from Tuscany. They journeyed to Rome for their visit Pope Francis’ tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in the Esquilino neighborhood, and are now anxiously awaiting to find out who the new pope will be.
“I I hope it continues with Francis. According to Caporali, 'he stood for marginalized individuals, and it’s crucial that we maintain this focus. We shouldn’t be preoccupied with the ostentatious wealth of the Church; such displays are now out of vogue.'
Caporali was living in Rome when the German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope in April 2005. “I was in a caffe not far away and people were shouting ‘fatto, fatto, fatto!’ (it’s done), then I went outside and saw the white smoke.”
Let’s bring you the latest from our Rome correspondent Angela Giuffrida.
Brief history of conclaves past
Selecting a new pope has has always been a challenging process, However, some conclaves appeared to endure greater struggles than others.
It wasn’t always this way In earlier times, letters, diaries, and other documents penned by cardinals and those who served them provided candid insights into the proceedings held for selecting a new pope.
Here, with assistance from the historians Vanessa Corcoran from Georgetown University in Washington and Miles Pattenden At the University of Oxford, we examine several significant conclaves from history.
"Please keep us in your thoughts," said the Archbishop of New York before entering the conclave.
Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan , is one of the 133 electors Who will enter the Sistine Chapel in the coming hour to begin the procedure for choosing the Pope?
The 75-year-old posted a brief video post for social platforms :
Today marks our entry into the conclave, and I'm just moments away from heading to the Domus Sanctae Marthae, which is named after Saint Martha, known for her role in providing hospitality to Jesus.
Every day, we head over to the Sistine Chapel for prayers and voting, yet this is our place of residence.
I'll only be able to speak with you once you see the white smoke.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
Vatican today – in pictures
We have now also added a live stream from the Vatican at the top of the page , showing St Peter’s Square and later the procession of the cardinals, which is expected to start in the next half hour.
I will bring you all the key updates here.
We will spend many hours in the coming days watching the chimney on the Sistine Chapel roof , waiting for that symbolic white smoke.
So, for the first time in today’s blog, here it is:
The new pope will need to address numerous pressing matters right from the start.
From conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East , to migration , the climate crisis and schisms in the church The initial grace period for the new pope will be brief.
In the coming days, the Roman Catholic church will get a new leader, greeted by the devoted in St Peter’s Square. After the prayers conclude and the crowd disperses, What challenges does the incoming pope face?
Church unity
One major challenge will be to reinforce cohesion within the church as divisions deepen globally and differing opinions emerge internally. Certain analysts think there’s a genuine danger of division following two decades during which pontiffs from opposite ends of the ideological scale have led—namely, the conservative Pope Benedict XVI and the progressive Pope Francis.
International diplomacy
The Pope holds a significant position internationally, notably to prevent religion from becoming a source of division. His tenure will be marked by continuous strife in regions like Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan, along with contentious matters such as immigration policies, the escalating climate emergency, safeguarding religious liberty, and upholding human rights.
Sexual abuse
The legacy of sexual abuse cast a long shadow Throughout Pope Francis’s tenure, he was initially sluggish in comprehending the magnitude and systematic character of the issue. Initially, he failed to fully grasp the distress and outrage felt by those who survived. This anguish remains unresolved, and the incoming pontiff’s strategy will undoubtedly face rigorous examination.
Governance
The new pope will need to take decisions on governance within the church, including the pace of change and levels of inclusion regarding laity and women. He will need to make key appointments within days to get the new papacy up and running.
Vatican finances
There are two aspects to this for the new pope’s attention: general oversight and transparency, on which there was significant progress under Pope Francis but still more to do; and the unsustainable levels of deficit in the Vatican finances, which deteriorated during Francis’s papacy.
Sexuality and identity
Francis changed the direction of the Church regarding matters of sexuality and identity, speaking out against discrimination towards LGBTQ+ individuals, engaging with transgender men and women, and allowing the blessing of same-sex unions. This stance led to opposition from conservatives, and the next pope will face scrutiny over their perspectives on these topics.
Find out more about the pope's inbox:
Related: Pontiff’s agenda: New leader must address numerous pressing matters immediately
Papal sights – today in images
'Red and purple sea' at St Peter's Basilica as leading cardinal calls for voters to follow their hearts
A ocean of crimson and violet has filled St Peter’s basilica as the world’s cardinals and bishops gather for mass before conclave begins later on Wednesday.
The 133 cardinals tasked with voting for a successor to the late Pope Francis are seated around the main altar of the packed basilica while the bishops are in the rows in front.
The mass is being led by Giovanni Battista Re , the same Italian cardinal who led the funeral mass of Pope Francis. His homily was equally as passionate and direct.
“We are here to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit, to beg for his guidance and power So that the Pope chosen will be the one whom both the Church and humanity require during this challenging and intricate juncture in our history," he stated.
In a discussion on love, he mentioned that Jesus' love had no boundaries and emphasized that this kind of love should define "both their thinking and behavior" for all his followers, aiming to create a new civilization.
Re stated that love is the sole power able to transform the world.
The incoming Pope will encounter a 'challenging and intricate' period in history; however, they must demonstrate love to resonate with the moral compasses of global communities, according to a prominent cardinal.
In his sermon — viewed as a guiding message For the 133 cardinals scheduled to participate in the conclave – Re sought the assistance of the Holy Spirit to guide the cardinals in selecting the pope "who the church and humanity require during this challenging and intricate juncture in history."
He urged them to set aside "all personal considerations" and demonstrate love, “the only force capable of changing the world.”
He also issued a powerful appeal to "preserve the unity of the church," not through “uniformity,” but their “communion in diversity.”
He reminded cardinals that the election of a new pope is not just about “a simple change of people,” but a symbolic return of St Peter, the apostle, as he prayed for a pope “for the good of the church and of humanity.”
He also recalled John Paul II’s description of the conclave as “a joint concern for the legacy of the keys of the Kingdom,” recalling his wishes that standing before Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel, the electors will be reminded of the “great responsibility of placing the great keys in the right hands.”
Re said he hoped The new pope would "be well aware of how to stir the consciousness of everyone," and marshal "the moral and spiritual energies" within communities, which occasionally forget God amid rapid technological progress.
Northern Italian town rooting for cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle
While there is much trepidation in the Vatican over who will be the next pope, residents in Brugherio , a town in the northern Italian region of Lombardy are equally awaiting the outcome with bated breath.
The townspeople are cheering for Luis Antonio Tagle , a cardinal from the Philippines , in order to become the heir to Pope Francis Not because the cardinal, who enjoys a spot of karaoke, appears likeable, but due to a connection with the town: Tagle’s first cousin took care of the mayor’s grandmother.
Mayor Roberto Assi mentioned that Violetta looked after his grandmother for a decade until her passing in 2018, yet their bond remains robust.
"We regard her as one of our own," Assi stated to the online publication, Prima Lamartesana. Indeed, despite residing in Milan, Violetta still participates with the family for significant events like Christmas and annually commemorates their deceased grandmother's birthday.
Asi mentioned that Violetta frequently talks about her cousin, “the cardinal”, And many people in Brugherio are hoping for his election as pope.
Tagle, 67, is among the leading contenders , although he was accused of “heresy” by Catholic traditionalists after a video of him, filmed in 2019, singing John Lennon’s Imagine emerged on social media.
A watchdog for victims of clerical sexual abuse has also accused him of mishandling child sexual abuse claims in the Philippines.
Related: Who is Luis Antonio Tagle? The Filipino cardinal known as the 'karaoke priest' who is among those considered for the papacy.
Pope's tailor Mancinelli keeps safety in mind with three white vestments prepared for the new pontiff.
It’s a wonder that Raniero Mancinelli , tailored for the last three popes, hasn't had a moment to spare any thought on cutting cloth recently considering the extensive coverage he’s received from global media outlets.
The Guardian spoke to him in February, when Pope Francis was very sick in the hospital, but could barely squeeze through the doorway on Wednesday morning.
“It’s been a little hectic,” said one of the tailor’s assistants.
It is not guaranteed that Mancinelli, who owns Mancinelli Clero , a historic shop in Borgo Pio, just steps away from St Peter’s Square, will be tasked with dressing the new pope.
There is another Rome rival and reports in the Italian press suggest that the Vatican has plenty of white cassocks and might well honour Francis’ message of frugality.
Still, Mancinelli is not taking any chances. He has already been preparing the white vestments that might be worn by the next pontiff , and offers small, medium, and large sizes just in case.
A lengthy line of television crews waited to interview Mancinelli, who was dressed up in a suit with a tailor’s measuring tape casually placed around his neck as he showcased the fabric to them.
The reporters have also lured curious tourists into the shop, wondering what all the fuss is about.
Father Giuseppe , a customer of Mancinelli, understood: “This shop is famous because he is very good.”
When asked about the attributes he wished to see in the upcoming pope, aside from sartorial elegance, Father Giuseppe responded: Father Giuseppe was queried regarding the characteristics he hoped for in the new Pope, beyond looking stylish, and his response was: Inquiring as to what traits Father Giuseppe desired in the succeeding pontiff besides impeccable attire, he stated: Upon being questioned about the features he anticipated in the future pope apart from dressing sharply, Father Giuseppe answered: Father Giuseppe was posed with a question concerning the desirable qualities of the incoming Pope beside fine dress sense; his reply was: “We need someone good, and someone strong, especially at this moment in time.”
Let’s move over to our correspondent in Rome now. Angela Giuffrida to get a sense of what’s happening in the Vatican...
Today in Focus: The Process of Electing a Pope
If you prefer to catch up with the latest updates The grandeur and political intricacies involved in the conclave, the procedure for selecting Pope Francis’s replacement. , good news: we’ve got you covered.
It is, as Guardian journalist Harriet Sherwood explains, an election rich in ceremony and ritual. Yet it can get very dirty too: cardinals lobbying in corridors and Vatican gardens; allegations of leaks to the media to discredit rivals; even the emergence of a video of one cardinal – a bookies’ favourite to be the next pope – singing ‘atheist anthem’ Imagine by John Lennon.
As Michael Safi hears, the conclave comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Catholic church and the various factions vying for its control.
Listen to Today in Focus here:
Related: How to pick a pope - podcast
'Multifaceted yet fragmented,' college to select the new pontiff
One of the enduring impacts of Pope Francis , who passed away last month at the age of 88 , was to leave behind a significantly varied yet fragmented college of cardinals, with some in harmony with the progressive church he promoted and others wanting to overthrow his changes and turn back the clock.
The 133 cardinals with the power to vote have been getting to know each other and sharing visions for the future of the church during daily pre-conclave meetings since 28 April.
However, the challenge of the task in hand appeared to be summed up by Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo , the archbishop of Jakarta, who was the last cardinal to arrive in Rome and was playing catch-up on Monday.
“There’s a lot of confusion,” He informed reporters following presentations made by 50 cardinals. "We've listened to numerous speeches; it isn’t simple to reach conclusions."
The cardinals take an oath of confidentiality, just like everyone else does. Vatican The personnel aiding them range from cooks and cleaners to drivers and medics.
Related: Cardinals set to start selecting a new Pope in the biggest conclave ever
Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, is delivering his homily now; the last message to cardinals before they go into the process to elect the new pope.
I will bring you the key quotes here.
What to anticipate today - schedule
Since today marks the first day of the conclave, the schedule differs somewhat from what we'll observe in the coming days (assuming, as expected, that additional sessions are required).
Here’s what you can anticipate:
At 10am Rome time , the cardinals will convene at St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in a mass. Pro eligendo Romano Pontifice, The Mass for electing a RomanPontiff.
At 3pm , the mobile signals throughout the Vatican will be disabled, with all devices being removed from the cardinals as they go into seclusion for the entire duration of the election process.
At 4.15 , they will begin a procession towards the Sistine Chapel, with their proceedings set to commence roughly fifteen minutes after arriving. 4.30pm.
Because of our delayed commencement, we anticipate just one voting session for today, with the outcome indicated by either black or white smoke emerging from the chapel’s chimney later on. 7pm.
Should they not manage to select the new pope today, They will come back tomorrow morning, changing to four voting sessions per day. : two in the morning (10.30am, midday), and two in the evening (5.30pm and 7pm), for as long as needed.
You can follow the mass live here:
And you can follow the texts here.
Pre-conclave mass starting in the Vatican
As the conclave day commences, the dedicated Mass gets underway – Service for the Election of a Pope — is beginning now at St. Peter’s Basilica, led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re.
Although he isn’t eligible to vote as he surpasses the 80-year-old threshold by being 91, he will be conducting today’s morning prayers.
You can go through all the messages from the service. here , in Latin, Italian, and English.
Following the Mass, the cardinals will head back to Santa Marta, enjoy their lunch, and subsequently commence their deliberations within the Sistine Chapel.
Morning opening: Extra omnes
133 Catholic cardinals will convene behind the shut doors of the Sistine Chapel for the first time today to decide who should be the 267th successor of Saint Peter , following the death of Pope Francis last month.
One of the most fascinating electoral processes in the world , the conclave always attracts global attention – not just because of its global significance in choosing the next head of the Catholic church leading 1.4 billion faithful , but also because of its centuries-old traditions and mysteries.
At around 4.30pm local time, the famous phrase “extra omnes” – all out – will be heard inside the Sistine Chapel telling everyone but the cardinals to leave the plenary, formally starting the secretive election process.
We will bring you all the latest here.
It’s Wednesday, 7 May 2025 , it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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