Papal Transition
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.)
Speculation, suspense: Italian media rife with papal predictions
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Online betting and trending sites were not the only outlets posting their papal predictions. Italian newspapers are historically the boldest and most confident in their daily speculations and conclave scenarios.
Called by name: Keep this list ready when new pope is named
VATICAN CITY — The first clue to the identity of the new pope will be the announcement of his first name — in Latin. If he is not the one chosen, French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the top-ranked cardinal-deacon, will say, in Latin, “I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope: His most […]
How the papal balloting is scheduled to work
The announced conclave schedule appears below with times listed for Rome, with Eastern Daylight Time in parentheses: March 12 3:45 p.m. (10:45 a.m.) — Transfer from the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Apostolic Palace. 4:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m.) — Procession from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel. 4:45 p.m. (11:45 a.m.) — Oaths, meditation […]
Cardinals enter conclave invoking aid of Holy Spirit, all the saints
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Invoking the aid of the Holy Spirit and the holy men and women from all over the world recognized as saints, 115 cardinals processed slowly into the Sistine Chapel to begin the process to elect a pope.
Vatican’s English briefer, Father Rosica, sees catechesis in his work
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Basilian Father Thomas Rosica is a busy man these days. The Rochester, N.Y., native, founder and CEO of Salt and Light Television based in Toronto, has been assisting the English-speaking media at the Vatican Press office during the papal transition. That means he provides English translations during news briefings led by […]
Cardinals end pre-conclave meetings, hear report on Vatican bank
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- During their last meeting before entering the conclave to elect a new pope, the world's cardinals heard a report on the Vatican bank and continuing efforts to comply with international standards to prevent money laundering and the funding of terrorism. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters that 152 cardinals, including those over 80 years old, were present for the final general congregation meeting March 11.
Voting for new pope to begin March 12
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal electors assembled in Rome will begin voting for the next pope March 12. The first session of voting inside the Sistine Chapel will begin in the afternoon, following a morning Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.
Sistine Chapel goes from tourist magnet to polling place for pope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Sistine Chapel’s transformation from a world-famous tourist site to the prayer-filled space where cardinal electors will choose the next pope is under way. Vatican workers have begun installing protective panels to cover the mosaic tile floors, and mini-scaffolding will raise a false floor level with the altar and eliminate any […]