Cardinal Ambongo: An African leader among the cardinals May 6, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, News, Vatican, World News While no one expects cardinals to vote as geographical blocs for a new pope, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, president of the African bishops’ council, and the presidents of other regional conferences have connections and knowledge that many of their confreres do not.
As conclave nears, new pope’s cassock comes in three sizes May 6, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News The rules and rituals for the election of a new pope say that immediately after his election, he goes into the sacristy of the Sistine Chapel and puts on “the garments that are appropriate to him.”
Several Asian cardinals are on some Vatican watchers’ short lists of ‘papabile’ May 6, 2025By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, News, Vatican, World News At the upcoming conclave, of the 133 cardinal electors who will enter the Sistine Chapel, 23 will come from Asia. At least six are on various short lists as “papabile,” or “popeable” candidates.
In final pre-conclave meetings, cardinals discuss war, dialogue May 5, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Feature, News, Vatican, World News With less than 48 hours until the beginning of the conclave, the cardinals who will enter the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope discussed war, the need for dialogue and the role of the pope in fostering it.
Washington cardinal tells parishioners he has no idea who will be pope May 5, 2025By Cindy Wooden OSV News Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Feature, News, Vatican, World News In a full church on a Monday evening in Rome, just two days before the conclave to elect a new pope was set to begin, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington shared a confidence: “I have no guess” who will be chosen.
Child protection commission urges prayers for cardinals in conclave May 5, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Child & Youth Protection, News, Vatican, World News As the College of Cardinals continues to discuss the church’s most pressing issues before the conclave, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said it was encouraged that protecting children and vulnerable people was a priority in those discussions.
Conclave explained for kids May 5, 2025By Colleen Pressprich Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, News, Vatican, World News Each step of this conclave process is steeped in meaning and tradition, which is wonderful, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to explain to kids.
Final preparations, discussions underway before conclave begins May 5, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Feature, News, Remembering Pope Francis, Vatican, World News As members of the College of Cardinals met May 5, all 133 cardinals who plan to enter the conclave to elect a new pope had arrived in Rome, the Vatican press office said.
Where, when to watch for white smoke May 5, 2025By OSV News Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The conclave is set to begin May 7, but the public only knows its end by iconic white smoke billowing out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.
To love and be loved is Christian way, French cardinal says May 5, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, Immigration and Migration, News, Vatican, World News Only through loving others and accepting love in spite of one’s own failures can Christians truly understand and proclaim the joy of Christ’s victory over death, said French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille.
Convert in a conclave: Swedish cardinal remains in the spotlight May 5, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service Filed Under: 2025 Conclave, News, Vatican, World News Le Figaro had described Cardinal Arborelius as “first and foremost a man of prayer but also a noted theologian, committed to ecumenism.” It also said his leadership of a church in “a highly secularized country where Catholicism is in the minority” is an advantage.
Over 12 years, Pope Francis made a significant impact on the church’s liturgical life May 5, 2025By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: News, Remembering Pope Francis, Vatican, World News, Worship & Sacraments While the liturgical legacy of Pope Francis, who died April 21 at age 88, may have flown under the radar for many, several experts told OSV News his 12-year papacy made a definite impact.
