Wed May 07 15:50:12 UTC 2025: ## Papal Conclave Begins: Cardinals Gather to Elect New Pope
VATICAN CITY – The highly anticipated conclave to elect the next pope commenced on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, with 133 cardinals from 70 countries gathering in the Sistine Chapel. Following the traditional “extra omnes” call, signaling the departure of non-voting personnel, the doors were sealed, initiating the secretive process to choose Pope Francis’ successor.
The conclave, the most geographically diverse in history, marks a significant moment for the Catholic Church. Pope Francis’ appointment of a considerable number of cardinals from the “global south” introduces an element of unpredictability to the selection process. While some cardinals expressed a desire for more time to familiarize themselves with each other, the process officially began with cardinals taking oaths of secrecy before Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” fresco.
Leading contenders include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis’ former secretary of state; Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who previously headed the Vatican’s evangelisation office; and Cardinal Peter Erdo, representing a more conservative faction. The outcome remains uncertain, with the necessary two-thirds majority vote potentially taking several rounds. Black smoke will signal the absence of a decision, with white smoke announcing the selection of a new pope.
The selection process is taking place amid various external pressures, including calls for greater inclusion of women and LGBTQ+ individuals, concerns over the clergy sex abuse scandal, and even an unprecedented intervention from the White House. Pilgrims and onlookers in St. Peter’s Square expressed diverse hopes for the new pope, ranging from a younger leader to one who will continue or modify the progressive legacy of Pope Francis. The world watches as the cardinals deliberate on the future direction of the Catholic Church.
First Piper 