Leo XIV is the new Pope
“Peace be with all of you!” – the first words of Pope Leo XIV. The Conclave has elected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. The new pope was announced to the waiting crowds by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti. Annuntio vobis gaudium: HABEMUS PAPAM Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum …
Papal names: What are the most and least popular?
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, May 7, 2025 / 10:38 am John, Pius, Leo, and Alexander. These are just a few of the names popes have taken over the centuries. When the white smoke appears and a new pope is chosen, he is asked: “By what name shall you be …
Black Smoke: No election after morning of first full day of conclave
No Pope was elected after the third ballot of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope. By Francesca Merlo Black smoke rose from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 11:50 on Thursday afternoon, signalling the second ballot of the first full day of the conclave – and the third …
Black smoke signals end of first day of conclave
No Pope was elected after the first ballot of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope. By Joseph Tulloch Black smoke emerged from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 21:00 on Wednesday evening, signaling that a first ballot has been held at the conclave and has concluded without the …
‘Extra omnes’: How a Pope is elected during the Conclave
From the voting of cardinal electors to the burning of ballots in a cast-iron stove dating back to 1939, here’s a look at what happens inside the Sistine Chapel during a papal election. By Tiziana Campisi “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”.) These are the words printed …
Trump’s Justice Department investigates Washington law threatening seal of confession
By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 6, 2025 / 16:11 pm President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating an “anti-Catholic law” in Washington state that threatens priests with up to one year in jail if they fail to report child abuse they learn about during the sacrament of …
Bishop Barron offers overview of ‘papabile’ field
By Tessa Gervasini Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 7, 2025 / 09:38 am One of America’s best-known prelates, Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, has shared what he believes to be the qualities of some of the cardinals being mentioned as “papabile,” the Italian term for a man who could be pope. …
FULL TEXT & VIDEO: Cardinal Re’s homily for the Mass for the election of the Supreme Pontiff
By Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re Rome Newsroom, May 7, 2025 / 04:43 am Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered this homily at the “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice” (For the Election of the Roman Pontiff) Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on May 7, 2025, just hours before …
The history behind ‘habemus papam’ and the white smoke that announces a new pope
By Julieta Villar , Zoe Romanowsky ACI Prensa Staff, May 6, 2025 / 17:41 pm When a new pope is elected, there are two signs that mark that historic moment: the white smoke (“fumata bianca” in Italian) erupting from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the formula “habemus papam” pronounced by the …
The Conclave from the Middle Ages to the present day
The Conclave as we know it today goes back to the Middle Ages, and was established to prevent a prolonged Vacant See (Sede Vacante) and outside interference. By Lisa Zengarini* The term “Conclave” comes from two Latin words: cum (with) and clavis (key). In Church terminology, it designates both the secluded place where the …
