The panel discussion, on the eve of the Vatican conclave beginning May 7, was the final “Francis Factor” discussion for the university’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life.

Host of the “Bible in a Year” and “Catechism in a Year” podcasts and a frequent presenter for Ascension, Father Mike Schmitz has been leading a novena praying for the cardinals and the conclave, which over a million people have viewed.

Invocando la ayuda del Espíritu Santo y reconociendo que millones de personas en todo el mundo oraban por ellos, 133 cardenales entraron en la Capilla Sixtina con un objetivo singular: elegir “un pastor digno” para la Iglesia universal.

Invoking the help of the Holy Spirit and recognizing that millions of people all over the world were praying for them, 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel with a singular goal: to elect “a worthy pastor” for the universal church.

The Vatican’s approach to security protocols for the papal conclave “sets a gold standard for organizations handling sensitive decisions,” security expert and author Theresa Payton told OSV News.