Following nine days of mourning over Pope Francis’s passing on 21 April, 133 cardinals representing 70 countries have gathered behind closed doors on Wednesday for the conclave to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church.
Sequestered from the outside world with no access to phones or communication, the conclave — the most geographically diverse Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history — will follow centuries-old rituals inside the Sistine Chapel to decide who will lead the 1.4 billion faithful.
The first vote, which came in late on Wednesday, was a no, judging by the thick cloud of black smoke above St Peter’s Square.
From Thursday, up to two ballots can be held in the morning and two in the afternoon until a winner is found.
While cardinals this week said they expected a short conclave, it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting.
In the past century, it has taken between three and eight ballots to find a pope. Pope John Paul I — the pontiff who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the third ballot. His successor, Pope John Paul II, needed eight. Pope Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.
No pope elected today
As anticipated, the conclave did not elect the new pontiff on this first day of the conclave. There was some uncertainty toward the end of the day due to the unusually long wait — over two hours — for the smoke signal.
But it finally appeared, and it was black, signalling the conclave will continue on Thursday morning.
That’s all from us for this evening. We’ll be back here on Euronews tomorrow from 9 am with continued live coverage of the conclave.
What we know so far at the end of the first day of the conclave
- As widely expected, the first smoke from the Sistine Chapel was black, signalling that the required 89 votes to elect a new pope have not yet been reached.
- Following the closing of the Sistine Chapel doors, the 133 cardinals from 70 countries are now in strict isolation. They will remain cut off from the outside world until a new leader of the Church is chosen.
- There was a delay in the first round of voting, with the smoke appearing over two hours later than expected. This doesn’t necessarily indicate any specific issue.
- The final Mass before the conclave, ‘Pro Eligendo Pontifice’ – For the election of the pontifex in Latin – was held at 10 am in St Peter’s Basilica this morning. It was officiated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. Although he led the Mass, he is not participating in the conclave due to age restrictions. According to a senior Vatican official, Cardinal Re urged the electors to choose someone capable of leading the Church through this “difficult and complex” period.
- An estimated 30,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Square to witness the first vote. Even larger crowds are expected in the coming days as the conclave progresses.
Black smoke on the first day
As most people expected, the first smoke from the Sistine Chapel is black, meaning there’s no pope yet.
With only one round of voting today, an immediate election was unlikely and, in general, it’s extremely rare for a new pontiff to be chosen on the first ballot.
Eyes now turn to tomorrow, when more voting rounds are scheduled. It could be a decisive day: the last seven popes have all been elected on or after the third smoke signal.
Bosnian cardinal’s illness cause for delay?
While thousands of people remain waiting for the smoke to appear at St Peter’s Square, a rumour appeared among Italian press and reporters on the ground that Bosnian Cardinal Vinko Puljić’s illness, which was previously reported on, might be the explanation for the continued delay.
While Cardinal Puljić was present at the prayer and took his oath prior to the beginning of the conclave on Wednesday evening, he might have been taken to the Casa Santa Marta, a residence building for the cardinals while in Rome, due to ongoing health issues he is suffering from.
According to reports, in case Cardinal Puljić is forced to vote remotely, three other cardinals designated as his caretakers are meant to go to Casa Santa Marta and bring his vote back to the conclave, which might have taken longer than expected.
Puljić has previously dismissed the possibility of remote voting, saying in a video interview with L’Isola che non c’è NGO, “I need help to get in, but I think there will be no problem. With help I can get into the Sistine Chapel.” It remains unclear if his condition has worsened on Wednesday night, and Euronews could not independently verify these claims.
The good deeds of the last pope
The new pope, to be elected in this conclave, will inherit the legacy of a predecessor famous for his charitable acts.
The last one was the decision to donate the Popemobile to serve as a mobile health unit for children in Gaza, a choice that moved many people around the world.
But this was not a surprise for those who have followed Pope Francis’ papacy: the late pontiff has been nicknamed the “Pope of the Poor” and is considered by several experts to be one of the most progressive popes ever.
Still no smoke
Eyes are fixed on the giant screens, installed in the churchyard and on the sides of the square, writes Euronews Italy journalist Gabriele Barbati, currently at St Peter’s Square.
Thousands of worshippers, onlookers and journalists stare at the video of the chimney taken by the Vatican cameras.
A smoke could arrive at any moment at this point. Some look up at the roof of the Sistine Chapel and complain about the delay.
Some joke with their neighbours, hunched over their mobile phones, struggling to send photos and messages because the Internet is slowed down by the crowds and the Vatican’s apparent signal jammers.
‘Oh look!’ But it’s just yet another seagull that landed next to the chimney, Barbati reports.
30,000 people waiting in St. Peter’s square
Around 30,000 have gathered in St Peter’s Square waiting for the smoke to arise from the chimney, with more people arriving now, according to the Italian police.
Meanwhile, over 100,000 people are watching the live streaming on the Vatican News YouTube channel, which is broadcasting live images of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. This number is also growing by the minute.
All eyes on the chimney ahead of conclave’s first vote
Anticipation is building as crowds gather at St Peter’s Square to witness the first vote of the conclave to elect the new pontiff.
As a reminder, the colour of the smoke arising from the small chimney rising from the Sistine Chapel will tell those gathered whether a choice has been made: black means no, while white means we have a new pope.
Since 2005 and the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the ringing of bells has accompanied the white smoke to avoid situations where spectators could not easily differentiate between the two types of smoke.
Over 100,000 Italians are playing ‘Fantapapa’
Italians definitely love their calcio. Now, the obsession over “the beautiful game” has trickled into the race for the next pope.
Over 100,000 people have created their teams in the so-called “Fantapapa,” a fantasy football-like game, where one gets to predict the next pope.
But how does it work? Like a football team, users must choose 11 cardinals whom they believe have the best chance of becoming the next pontiff, as well as a “captain” — or their top favourite.
Beyond the team, Fantapapa’s players have to predict whether the new pope’s priorities will be more progressive or conservative, which name he will choose, what day the pope will be elected, and how many attempts it will take the cardinals to decide on the new pontiff.
‘Bring a book,’ experienced cardinal advises newcomers
Conclaves might look thrilling in the movies, but according to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, the real thing is anything but. Speaking to The New York Times, Dolan described the papal voting process as tedious and generally slow.
His tip for fellow cardinals? Bring a book. This time, Dolan says he’s packing a biography of Michelangelo to help pass the hours between ballots in the Sistine Chapel.
From Vatican’s history: The conclave that ended in a up in a brawl
The election of the Pope is a delicate matter, and discussions in the conclave could be quite tense.
But sometimes the thing gets out of hand, as it happened in 1605.
After Pope Leo XI’s death just 26 days after the beginning of his papacy, 59 cardinal electors gathered in the Sistine Chapel.
According to the chroniclers of the time, including English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, the factions supporting two main candidates, Domenico Toschi and Cesare Baronio, had a physical altercation, noisy enough to be heard in the streets outside the chapel.
The brawl resulted in the only known case of serious injuries during a conclave, as Cardinal Alfonso Visconti suffered several broken bones.
The tension among cardinals probably reflected the confrontation between Spain and France, two of the leading Catholic powers of that time, each wanting a “friendly” pope in Rome.
At the end of the day — or better said, at the end of 21 days — a compromise candidate was elected: Camillo Borghese, who came from one of the most famous Roman noble families and was considered “neutral” between the Spanish and French reigns.
The conclave in pictures
Despite the clouds and light rain, Rome continues to enchant with its timeless beauty, offering poetic glimpses and evocative photos throughout the day.
In one corner of the Vatican, Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi is seen walking through the St. Anna Gate, one of the most iconic entrances to the Vatican.
Meanwhile, a woman takes refuge from the rain outside St. Peter’s Basilica, the majestic church standing tall against the grey skies of Rome today.
Not far from the Vatican, children dressed in traditional flamenco-style outfits walk with enthusiasm, bringing a colourful contrast to the otherwise subdued surroundings.
In another part of the city, Spanish nuns gather near the Vatican.
Faithful in St. Peter’s Square continue to watch a giant screen broadcasting images of the cardinals as they enter the conclave, awaiting the decision that will shape the future of the Church.
‘Extra Omnes’: Conclave officially begins
The door is now closed, and everybody but the 133 cardinal electors is out of the Sistine Chapel.
The conclave has officially started with an emotional applause from the crowd gathered in St Peter’s Square and the nearby streets.
The first vote is supposed to be held soon, with results expected around 7 pm.
The next pope: A progressive or a conservative?
Apart from the question of who the next pontiff will be, many are wondering what kind of pope he might be. The debate largely falls along two lines: progressive or conservative.
The first category includes pontificates advocating for reform and modernisation within the Church, particularly when modernising church practices and a certain openness to social issues.
The latter is reserved for papacies that adhere to tradition and focus on moral doctrine, with firm stances on issues like abortion, contraception and sexual morality.
Even the most progressive candidates must be viewed through the lens of the Vatican’s deeply traditional structure, meaning, don’t expect sweeping revolutions overnight.
As for Pope Francis, widely seen as a progressive figure, there’s still ongoing debate over the depth of his reformist legacy. Was he truly progressive, or simply progressive relative to his predecessors?
Euronews’ Amandine Hess reports next on how Pope Francis’ papacy is being interpreted and what it might mean for the Church’s future.
Nicknamed the “Pope of the Poor,” Pope Francis dedicated his pontificate to the most disadvantaged. However, analysts say there were very limited changes in the area of women’s rights.
Where do the cardinal electors come from?
A total of 133 cardinals from 70 countries are now gathered inside the Sistine Chapel to elect the new pope. But where are they from?
Europe is still the main continent of provenance: 52 cardinal electors, 39% of the total number.
As usual, Italy is the most represented country among Europeans, with 17 members, making up 12.8% of the entire College. Spain and France follow with five cardinals each.
The other continents will be represented by 23 Asian cardinal electors (17.3%). 17 are African (12.8%), 17 are South American (12.8%), 16 are North American (12%), four are Central American (3%), and four are from Oceania (3%).
Among the 266 popes included in the Holy See’s official list, 252 were Europeans, with 217 Italians.
Francis was the first pontiff coming from the Americas, while several popes have come from Africa and Asia during the centuries of the Roman Empire.
‘Papabili’ watch: Who might emerge as the next pope?
Over the past few days, speculation has been swirling around potential successors to the papacy. Many names have surfaced, some frequently mentioned, others emerging quietly in the background.
Amid all this, there’s one common word in the Italian language that many people worldwide may be hearing for the first time: “papabili”. It refers to cardinals considered most likely to be elected pontiff. The term comes from papabile, meaning “pope-able” or “pope-worthy”, and it’s a shorthand for those seen as serious contenders.
Several of these papabili are seen as particularly strong due to their vast experience and broad recognition, making them likely to draw attention from within the College of Cardinals.
Euronews has compiled a list of the leading “papabili” as the conclave begins, with names that reflect the Church’s geographic diversity and its many possible paths forward.
Who are the frontrunners to be the next pope one week before conclave?
The conclave to elect the new pope begins on 7 May, and while there are no official candidates for the post, these are the cardinals considered to be leading the race. #EuropeNews
Three cassocks and seven pairs of shoes ready for the new pope
No one can predict the choice of the cardinal electors…not even the Vatican’s tailor.
So Raniero Mancinelli has prepared three different cassocks; one small, one medium and one large, respectively size 50, 54 and 58. The cassock is meant to be worn by the new Pope, immediately after the election when he will address the crowd in St Peter’s square.
“While making the cassocks, I added a small detail: something almost imperceptible but which I alone can recognize, and that will allow me to identify my work”, he told Italian news agency AdnKronos before the “Extra Omnes” .
There will be also seven pairs of shoes ready for the new Pontifex, to have a comfortable footwear in his new role.
Raniero Mancinelli shows a cardinal’s skull cap in his tailor shop in Rome, in 2014
One last prayer, and the conclave begins
All the cardinal-electors have gathered in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, just steps away from the Sistine Chapel, where the actual voting will take place. The two chapels are separated only by the majestic Sala Regia.
From the Pauline Chapel, the solemn procession will soon begin, leading the cardinals into the Sistine Chapel.
Once inside, after the ceremonial declaration of “Extra Omnes” — Latin for “everyone out” — the doors will be sealed, and the sacred task of electing the next pope will begin in full.
Last words before strict isolation
One of the more surprising facts for many is that the cardinals entering the papal conclave will not only be cloistered but completely cut off from the outside world. That means: no phones, no internet.
Before surrendering their devices, several cardinals took to social media for one final message to the faithful.
The youngest cardinal in the conclave, Mykola Bycok of Ukraine — just 45 years old — posted a message saying he would be praying for a “just peace in Ukraine” while inside the Sistine Chapel.
Cardinal Jean Paul Vesco of Algiers reflected on Facebook about how this 11th-century tradition is showing surprising relevance in today’s world of over-mediation and digital dependency.
“No more phones or internet, the windows of our rooms are sealed… We will emerge with the proclamation: habemus papam! What an adventure this truly is,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Raymond Burke, a known conservative voice, used his last Facebook post to ask the faithful to pray for the cardinals as they take on the responsibility of choosing the successor to St Peter.
The casting of ballots
The voting process is governed by strict church law – and yes, Hollywood fans, the movie Conclave actually got this part surprisingly right.
Each cardinal writes his chosen name on a slip of paper bearing the Latin phrase Eligo in Summum Pontificem, “I elect as Supreme Pontiff.”
One by one, they approach the altar and declare: “I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.”
They then drop the folded ballots into a silver and gold urn. After all votes are cast, three randomly selected cardinal “scrutineers” open the ballots. Each name is recorded and read aloud.
As each vote is read, the scrutineer pierces the ballot with a needle through the word Eligo, threads them together, and ties a knot.
Finally, the counted ballots are burned in the chapel stove. Special chemicals colour the smoke: black if no pope has been elected, white if a new pontiff has been chosen – hence the smoke colour from the chimney.
Waiting for a smoke signal…
The first vote is expected this evening. But don’t hold your breath for white just yet, it’s only the opening round. Assuming no winner is found, the first smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney should be expected around 7 pm today, and it will most likely be black.
Starting Thursday, the cardinals get more involved in their voting, with up to two ballots each in the morning and afternoon until someone gets the final nod from the cardinals.
While many have hinted at a swift conclave, history suggests we might be in for an ecclesiastical back-and-forth. If you need to know exactly what the next few days will look like, check out the graphic below.
In the past century, it’s taken anywhere from three to eight ballots to pick a pontiff. Pope John Paul I — who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the third ballot. His successor, Pope John Paul II, needed eight. Pope Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.
Smoke, secrets, and a sea of scarlet
The wait is over: cardinals from across the globe are gathering to kick off the conclave that will elect the next pope following Pope Francis’s death.
SOURCE: EURONES
