News
White smoke: Cardinals elect new pope on fifth ballot
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- To the delighted surprise of many, clouds of white smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel March 13, indicating a pope had been elected on the conclave's fifth ballot. The smoke signal went off at 7:05 p.m. The 115 cardinals gathered to elect the 266th successor of Peter had taken one vote late March 12 and two votes the next morning, resulting in clouds of black smoke. Stay with CatholicPhilly.com as this story develops.
As seen in St. Peter’s Square
March 13, 2013, 1:45 p.m. EDT This semester I have had the great privilege of studying abroad in Rome with Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Ind. Arriving in this city in January, I never imagined I would be so blessed to be here during this exciting and historical time in our church’s history. In […]
Rain, cold, can’t keep faithful, curious away from conclave smoke-watch
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A second day of rain and cold couldn't keep thousands of people from pouring into St. Peter's Square to keep their eyes on a tiny chimney high atop a tiled roof.
U.S. responsibilities to Iraq many on 10th anniversary of 2003 invasion
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The top political leaders in Iraq, themselves rivals, joined to support the new Chaldean Catholic Archbishop in Baghdad. But the religious leaders in that region of the Middle East placed the problems confronting Iraq squarely on the shoulders of the United States. "The U.S. invaded and occupied, so they're responsible for the situation," agreed Bishop Richard E. Pates, representing the U.S. Catholic bishops.
St. Patrick’s Day steps off with Mass before big parade
St. Patrick’s Day was officially observed a bit early in Philadelphia on Sunday, March 10 with a Mass -- where else? -- at St. Patrick’s Church near Rittenhouse Square. Of course, the huge parade followed. Past, present and future were the themes of Archbishop Charles Chaput’s homily at the early morning Mass, and the past had special resonance because the annual celebration is really about honoring heritage.
Burning ballots, and the ultimate “permanent record”
A message from the Vatican spells out what happens to the recorded tally of each vote in the papal conclave, even though the ballots themselves -- and other items -- are burned.
How a pope is chosen
Vatican Information Service released the following statement March 13: What do the voting ballots for electing a Pope look like? How are the votes counted? Can Cardinal electors who are sick still cast a vote? The Apostolic Constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis” (UDG) responds to these and many other questions. It was promulgated by Blessed John […]
New pope likely to celebrate installation Mass March 19, spokesman says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Mass for the installation of a new pope could be celebrated March 19, the solemnity of St. Joseph, patron of the universal church. The new pope also would likely recite the Angelus March 17 with visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square.
More black smoke on morning of conclave’s first full day
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- More black smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 11:40 a.m. March 13, which seemed to indicate the 115 cardinal electors failed to elect a pope on their second and third ballots.
Black smoke: No new pope on first evening of conclave
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Despite the rain, thousands of people filled St. Peter's Square after dark March 12, the first evening of the conclave, to witness the black smoke that signaled the Catholic Church's 115 cardinal electors had failed, as expected, to elect a pope on the first ballot. The smoke started billowing out of the chimney on the Sistine Chapel at 7:41 p.m. (The cardinals will convene again in the chapel March 13 at 4:30 a.m. EDT to vote in the second and if necessary, subsequent ballots until a new pope is chosen. Stay with CatholicPhilly.com as we report on the latest from the conclave.)