New pope will face ‘advanced second in historical past’, senior cardinal says, earlier than conclave to pick out Pope Francis’ successor – reside

New pope will face ‘tough and complicated’ second in historical past, however want to indicate like to enchantment to consciences of societies, senior cardinal says

Jakub Krupa

In his homily – seen as a guiding message for the 133 cardinals set to participate within the conclave – Battista Re referred to as for the assistance of the Holy Spirit to information cardinals in selecting the pope “whom the church and humanity want at this tough and complicated turning level in historical past.”

Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presides over the Holy Mass, celebrated for the election of the new pope, in St. Peter’s Basilica. — Dean of the Faculty of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presides over the Holy Mass, celebrated for the election of the brand new pope, in St. Peter’s Basilica. {Photograph}: Murad Sezer/Reuters

He urged them to put apart “all private concerns” and display love, “the one drive able to altering the world.”

He additionally issued a powerful name to “preserve the unity of the church,” not via “uniformity,” however their “communion in variety.”

He reminded cardinals that the election of a brand new pope is not only about “a easy change of individuals,” however a symbolic return of St Peter, the apostle, as he prayed for a pope “for the great of the church and of humanity.”

He additionally recalled John Paul II’s description of the conclave as “a joint concern for the legacy of the keys of the Kingdom,” recalling his needs that standing earlier than Michelangelo’s “The Final Judgment” within the Sistine Chapel, the electors will likely be reminded of the “nice accountability of inserting the nice keys in the suitable arms.”

Battista Re stated he hoped the brand new pope would “know greatest awaken the consciences of all,” and mobilise “the ethical and non secular energies” in societies, which often overlook God amid speedy technological progress.

Key occasions

Pope’s tailor Mancinelli takes no probabilities with three white vestments prepared for brand spanking new pontiff

Angela Giuffrida

It’s a marvel that Raniero Mancinelli, tailor to the final three popes, has had any time to chop any fabric over the previous week given the quantity of consideration he’s been getting from the world’s press.

Vatican tailor Raniero Mancinelli in his store forward of the 2025 conclave within the Vatican {Photograph}: Angela Giuffrida/The Guardian

The Guardian spoke to him in February, when Pope Francis was severely in poor health in hospital, however may hardly get a foot contained in the door on Wednesday morning.

“It’s been a little bit hectic,” stated one of many tailor’s assistants.

It’s not assured that Mancinelli, who owns Mancinelli Clero, a historic store in Borgo Pio, simply steps away from St Peter’s Sq., will likely be tasked with dressing the brand new pope.

There may be one other Rome rival and reviews within the Italian press recommend that the Vatican has loads of white cassocks and may nicely honour Francis’ message of frugality.

Nonetheless, Mancinelli isn’t taking any probabilities. He has already been getting ready the white vestments that is perhaps worn by the following pontiff, and has reduce small, medium and huge variations simply in case.

There was a protracted queue of TV crews ready to talk to Mancinelli, who was suited-up, together with his tailor’s measuring tape draped over his shoulders as he confirmed them the fabric.

The reporters have additionally lured curious vacationers into the store, questioning what all of the fuss is about.

Father Giuseppe, a buyer of Mancinelli, understood: “This store is legendary as a result of he is excellent.”

Requested which qualities he wish to see within the subsequent pope, apart from being well-dressed, Father Giuseppe stated: “We want somebody good, and somebody sturdy, particularly at this second in time.”

Jakub Krupa

Let’s now go throughout to our Rome correspondent Angela Giuffrida to get an thought of what’s occurring within the Vatican…

Vatican at present – in photos

Professional Eligendo Romano Pontefice Mess for the election of the following Pope. {Photograph}: Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse/REX/Shutterstock

Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi walks in St. Peter’s Sq. for the beginning of the conclave, on the Vatican. {Photograph}: Francisco Seco/AP

German cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller walks in St. Peter’s Sq., on the Vatican. {Photograph}: Francisco Seco/AP

Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez walks earlier than the conclave to elect a brand new pope, in St. Peter’s Sq., on the Vatican. {Photograph}: Francisco Seco/AP

Folks watch the mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, previous to the beginning of the conclave, on a display displayed on St Peter’s Sq. in The Vatican. {Photograph}: Stefano Rellandini/AFP/Getty Photographs

A tv reporter reads a immediate for a broadcast, on St Peter’s Sq., in entrance of St Peter’s Basilica, in The Vatican. {Photograph}: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Photographs

At the moment in Focus: Tips on how to elect a pope

In case you’d quite rise up to this point on the pomp and the politics of the conclave, the method to elect Pope Francis’s successor, excellent news: we’ve acquired you lined.

Trustworthy take photographs on cell phones throughout a mass for the election of the Roman Pontiff, previous to the beginning of the conclave, at St Peter’s Basilica. {Photograph}: Christopher Furlong/Getty Photographs

It’s, as Guardian journalist Harriet Sherwood explains, an election wealthy in ceremony and ritual. But it might get very soiled too: cardinals lobbying in corridors and Vatican gardens; allegations of leaks to the media to discredit rivals; even the emergence of a video of 1 cardinal – a bookies’ favorite to be the following pope – singing ‘atheist anthem’ Think about by John Lennon.

As Michael Safi hears, the conclave comes at a very delicate time for the Catholic church and the varied factions vying for its management.

Hearken to At the moment in Focus right here:

‘Various, however divided’ faculty to decide on the following pope

Angela Giuffrida

One of many legacies of Pope Francis, who died final month aged 88, was to go away behind a broadly numerous however divided faculty of cardinals, with some in concord with the progressive church he promoted and others eager to overthrow his modifications and switch again the clock.

Cardinals attend a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, previous to the beginning of the conclave, at St Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican. {Photograph}: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Photographs

The 133 cardinals with the facility to vote have been attending to know one another and sharing visions for the way forward for the church throughout each day pre-conclave conferences since 28 April.

Nonetheless, the problem of the duty in hand gave the impression to be summed up by Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, the archbishop of Jakarta, who was the final cardinal to reach in Rome and was taking part in catch-up on Monday.

“There’s plenty of confusion,” he advised journalists after listening to addresses from 50 cardinals. “We’ve got heard many voices, it’s not simple to attract conclusions.”

The cardinals swear an oath to secrecy, as do all Vatican workers helping them, from cooks and cleaners to drivers and medics.

‘Sea of crimson and purple’ in St Peter’s Basilica as prime cardinal urges electors to be guided by love

Angela Giuffrida

A sea of crimson and purple has stuffed St Peter’s basilica because the world’s cardinals and bishops collect for mass earlier than conclave begins afterward Wednesday.

Cardinals attend a particular Mass ‘Professional eligendo papa’ or for the election of the Pope, earlier than the beginning of the conclave, at St Peter’s Basilica within the Vatican. {Photograph}: Alessandro Di Meo/EPA

The 133 cardinals tasked with voting for a successor to the late Pope Francis are seated round the primary altar of the packed basilica whereas the bishops are within the rows in entrance.

The mass is being led by Giovanni Battista Re, the identical Italian cardinal who led the funeral mass of Pope Francis. His homily was equally as passionate and direct.

“We’re right here to invoke the assistance of the Holy Spirit, to implore his gentle and energy in order that the pope elected could also be he whom the Church and humanity want at this tough and complicated turning level in historical past,” he stated.

In a passage about love, he stated Jesus’ love knew no limits and that love should characterise “the ideas and actions” of all his disciples in an effort to “construct a brand new civilisation”.

“Love is the one drive able to altering the world,” stated Battista Re.

New pope will face ‘tough and complicated’ second in historical past, however want to indicate like to enchantment to consciences of societies, senior cardinal says

Jakub Krupa

Dean of the Faculty of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presides over the Holy Mass, celebrated for the election of the brand new pope, in St. Peter’s Basilica. {Photograph}: Murad Sezer/Reuters

He urged them to put apart “all private concerns” and display love, “the one drive able to altering the world.”

He additionally issued a powerful name to “preserve the unity of the church,” not via “uniformity,” however their “communion in variety.”

Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the Faculty of Cardinals, is delivering his homily now; the final message to cardinals earlier than they go into the method to elect the brand new pope.

I’ll carry you the important thing quotes right here.

You’ll be able to observe the mass reside right here:

View of St. Peter's Square as Conclave begins – watch live — View of St. Peter’s Sq. as Conclave begins – watch reside

And you’ll observe the texts right here.

Pre-conclave mass beginning within the Vatican

Because the conclave day begins, the particular mass – Mass for the election of a Roman Pontiff – is now beginning in St. Peter’s Basilica, presided by the Dean of the Faculty of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re.

He isn’t an elector himself – he’s 91 years previous so above the restrict of 80 to participate within the vote – however will lead this morning’s prayers.

You’ll be able to observe all of the texts from the mass right here, in Latin, Italian and English.

After the mass, the cardinals will return to Santa Marta, have lunch, after which begin their proceedings within the Sistine Chapel.

What to anticipate at present – timeline

Because it’s the primary day of the conclave, the timing is barely completely different than we are going to see within the following days (if, as anticipated, they’re wanted).

The Sistine Chapel, the place cardinals will collect to elect the brand new pope. {Photograph}: AP

So, right here’s what to anticipate:

At 10am Rome time, the cardinals will collect at St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in a mass Professional eligendo Romano Pontifice, the Mass for the election of a Roman Pontiff.

At 3pm, cell sign throughout the Vatican will likely be deactivated, with all gadgets taken away from the cardinals, as they’re sequestered during the electoral course of.

At 4.15, they may begin a procession to the Sistine Chapel, the place they may begin their proceedings roughly fifteen minutes later, at 4.30pm.

Attributable to a late begin, we count on solely a single spherical of voting at present, with the end result to be introduced with black or white smoke from the chapel’s chimney round 7pm.

In the event that they fail to elect the brand new pope at present, they may return tomorrow morning, switching to 4 rounds of voting a day: two within the morning (10.30am, noon), and two within the night (5.30pm and 7pm), for so long as wanted.

Morning opening: Further omnes

Jakub Krupa

133 Catholic cardinals will meet behind the closed doorways of the Sistine Chapel for the primary time at present to determine who needs to be the 267th successor of Saint Peter, following the dying of Pope Francis final month.

A view of the inside of the Sistine Chapel forward of the conclave to elect the following pope on the Vatican. {Photograph}: Vatican Media/Reuters

One of the crucial fascinating electoral processes on this planet, the conclave at all times attracts international consideration – not simply due to its international significance in selecting the following head of the Catholic church main 1.4 billion devoted, but additionally due to its centuries-old traditions and mysteries.

At round 4.30pm native time, the well-known phrase “additional omnes” – all out – will likely be heard contained in the Sistine Chapel telling everybody however the cardinals to go away the plenary, formally beginning the secretive election course of.

We are going to carry you all the newest right here.

It’s Wednesday, 7 Might 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Dwell.

Good morning.