Conclave to Select a New Pope

[Somebody]

The most recent conclaves lasted 2-3 days:
1939: 3 ballots - Pius XII
1958: 11 ballots - John XXIII
1963: 6 ballots - Paul VI
1978: 4 ballots - John Paul I
1978: 8 ballots - John Paul II
2005: 4 ballots - Benedict XVI
2013: 5 ballots - Francis

According to the current process, if after 3 days of voting (9 rounds/ballots) there still is no pontiff chosen, a day of reflection and prayer, including an 'address' by a senior cardinal (the conclave already started with two addresses addressing the situation of the church and qualities that the new pontiff should possess), will be held before voting continues (as well as after each 7 additional rounds of voting). The longest conclave in the last 125 years lasted 5 days (1903). There is also a provision if the conclave ends in a deadlock: if after 33 rounds there is still no two-third majority, there will be a 'run-off' between the top-2 contenders (who still need two-third majority; but the two 'candidates' may no longer vote themselves).

All in all, it seems likely that either on May 8 (2 days) or 9 (3 days), the new pope will be chosen (and announced).

 

[Izzie]

I do wish that whoever is elected as the next Pope is someone that is aligned with the POVs that Pope Francis had espoused and continues in the same direction. IMO anyway.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Cardinal Pizzaballa (Pizza-Dance) is the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and was made a Cardinal by the late Pope in 2023.
He is considered a front runner in the 2025 Conclave and has a reputation as Bridge Builder in the Holy Land
Papabile of the day: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa – the bridge-builder from Jerusalem - Catholic Herald

 

[doro]

Disgraced Cardinal Angelo Becciù won't participate in Conclave

Disgraced Cardinal Becciu withdraws from participation in conclave to elect pope

Rolling coverage of the international stories of interest to our readers

www.irishexaminer.com

 

[An Ard Ri]

The Papal Conclave will begin on May 7th after the Papal period of mourning is over.

 

[Stefan]

The sixtine chapel is prepared for the Conclave

https://twitter.com/x/status/1917253844360388650

 

[Hans-Rickard]

As the controversial italian cardinal Angelo Becciu have announced that will not execute his voting rights in accordance of the will of the late pontiff - and Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera from Spain and Cardinal John Njue from Kenya having announced that they won’t attend due to health reasons, the number of cardinal electors is now expected to be 133.

Cardinal Vinko Puljic from Bosnia and Hercegovina had initially also announced that he would not attend for health reasons but has now recived clearance from his physician to do so.

 

[Mbruno]

As the controversial italian cardinal Angelo Becciu have announced that will not execute his voting rights in accordance of the will of the late pontiff - and Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera from Spain and Cardinal John Njue from Kenya having announced that they won’t attend due to health reasons, the number of cardinal electors is now expected ro be 133.

Cardinal Vinko Puljic from Bosnia and Hercegovina had initially also announced that he would not attend for health reasons but has now recived clearance from his physician to do so.

The fact that the beginning of the conclave was delayed from May 5 to May 7 suggests to me that the cardinals will try to reach a broad consensus before the official voting begins to have a short conclave of two or at most three days. I suppose there is a fear that a long conclave might project an image of division within the Church, which is undesirable.

The cardinals have been actually meeting regularly in the so-called "congregations" that are held before the conclave begins. Part of the work of those congregations is to decide on administrative matters, but they are also used to discuss contemporary issues affecting the Church and identifying a profile for the next pope. Officially, names or candidates cannot be discussed at this stage, but it is inevitable that this is the time when viable candidates will be identified and less viable ones will be discouraged behind the scenes.

EDIT: The press is reporting that a new issue has come up this year regarding the working language at the conclave. Unlike perhaps in a more distant past, there are now several cardinals who did not study in Rome and do not speak Italian. Those cardinals rely on interpreters, which is a problem because no interpreters will be available when the cardinals are sequestered during the conclave. The congregations are said to have discussed this issue and decided on language arrangements for the proceedings.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

The fact that the beginning of the conclave was delayed from May 5 to May 7 suggests to me that the cardinals will try to reach a broad consensus before the official voting begins to have a short conclave of two or at most three days. I suppose there is a fear that a long conclave might project an image of division within the Church, which is undesirable.

The cardinals have been actually meeting regularly in the so-called "congregations" that are held before the conclave begins. Part of the work of those congregations is to decide on administrative matters, but they are also used to discuss contemporary issues affecting the Church and identifying a profile for the next pope. Officially, names or candidates cannot be discussed at this stage, but it is inevitable that this is the time when viable candidates will be identified and less viable ones will be discouraged behind the scenes.

EDIT: The press is reporting that a new issue has come up this year regarding the working language at the conclave. Unlike perhaps in a more distant past, there are now several cardinals who did not study in Rome and do not speak Italian. Those cardinals rely on interpreters, which is a problem because no interpreters will be available when the cardinals are sequestered during the conclave. The congregations are said to have discussed this issue and decided on language arrangements for the proceedings.

I don’t know if it was delayed… Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005 and the conclave that elected Benedict XVI began on 18 April, wich is the same period from death to conclave as it will be now.

But i also think that they will try to sort out some names that have some support within the college over both formal and informal discussions before that so there is at least a chance that they can reach a 2/3 consensus on Day 2 or Day 3.

Yes they have a more ”international” College of Cardinals than ever now so they can no longer rely on that everyone speaks or understands italian.

 

[Blog Real]

New information on the Conclave: The Holy See Press Office announced that all 133 cardinal electors participating in the upcoming conclave have the right to vote for the new Pope.

Cardinals recognize right to vote of all Cardinal electors in conclave - Vatican News

The College of Cardinals announces that all 133 Cardinal electors participating in the upcoming conclave have the right to vote for the new Pope.

www.vaticannews.va

 

[An Ard Ri]

I don’t know if it was delayed… Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005 and the conclave that elected Benedict XVI began on 18 April, wich is the same period from death to conclave as it will be now.

By tradition Conclaves take place within a 9 day period of mourning known as the Novemdiales ('nine days').
The interim period between the death/abdication and election of the new Pontiff is known as the Sede vacante/Empty throne.
Sede vacante - Wikipedia

 

[Mbruno]

I don’t know if it was delayed… Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005 and the conclave that elected Benedict XVI began on 18 April, wich is the same period from death to conclave as it will be now.
.

The official 9-day mourning period starts on the day of the pope's funeral (as I understand) and ends then on May 5, which is the earliest day for the conclave to begin. Any date after May 5 means a postponement in my opinion.

Some comments (or lack therefore) from the cardinals arriving for the congregation.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

By tradition Conclaves take place within a 9 day period of mourning known as the Novemdiales ('nine days').
The interim period between the death/abdication and election of the new Pontiff is known as the Sede vacante/Empty throne.
Sede vacante - Wikipedia

I read that if no pontiff has been elected on the 9:th ballot (last voting round of day 3) they have the option of taking a break for one day to celebrate mass, listen to an exhortion from the Cardinal-Protodeacon, and pray and reflect (wich i interprets as pray and trying to agree around a compromise candidate that everyone can live with to get that person elected the day after)

 

[An Ard Ri]

I read that if no pontiff has been elected on the 9:th ballot (last voting round of day 3) they have the option of taking a break for one day to celebrate mass, listen to an exhortion from the Cardinal-Protodeacon, and pray and reflect (wich i interprets as pray and trying to agree around a compromise candidate that everyone can live with to get that person elected the day after)

Lets hope that doesn't happen!

 

[Alondra]

A young pope would increase the likelihood of a long papal reign by said pope. For those that might be interested in the top job themselves, that isn’t a favorable idea. Hopefully, they are wise enough not to let personal ambitions get in the way of picking the right pope for these times

I agree a young pope will put a stop to cardinals aspiring to the top job for many years. I don't agree being wise has anything to do with it.

The power struggle between the different factions (conservative and liberal) at the Vatican is very real and as big or even worse than ever was (mind you, not much different with the politics in most countries)

After Francisco, a powerful conservative lobby (led by the ultraconservative Catholic US cardinals) wants to put brakes on the path of openness and reform he started. Francisco may have chosen the majority of cardinals voting in the Conclave but it's impossible to predict who they'll choose as Pope.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Yes, I'd say that under 60 is unlikely, but I hope he will be under 70 this time.
It's also interesting to wonder what might be the name the new Pope will choose for himself.
I must say I would like a John XXIV, or, why not, a Francis II.

I would like to see a papal name chosen that has not been used in numerous centuries.
The last pope named Paschal was Paschal I who died in 824.
The last pope named Callixtus was Callixtus III who died in 1458.
The last pope named Gelasius was Gelasius II who died in 1119.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I would like to see a papal name chosen that has not been used in numerous centuries.
The last pope named Paschal was Paschal I who died in 824.
The last pope named Callixtus was Callixtus III who died in 1458.
The last pope named Gelasius was Gelasius II who died in 1119.

It depends on the Pope and he may pick Francis II if he was appointed by the late Pope!

 

[Mbruno]

I agree a young pope will put a stop to cardinals aspiring to the top job for many years. I don't agree being wise has anything to do with it.

The power struggle between the different factions (conservative and liberal) at the Vatican is very real and as big or even worse than ever was (mind you, not much different with the politics in most countries)

After Francisco, a powerful conservative lobby (led by the ultraconservative Catholic US cardinals) wants to put brakes on the path of openness and reform he started. Francisco may have chosen the majority of cardinals voting in the Conclave but it's impossible to predict who they'll choose as Pope.

In a democracy, having a young president or prime minister is not a big deal because the head of government can be changed in four or five years. In an absolute monarchy, however, a monarch who may reign for nearly 30 years (for example, a pope who is 60 when elected and can live up to 88 like Bergoglio or longer) can have a huge impact on the direction of the Church. I think many cardinals are wary of the risks of a long papacy, and that is why they tend to favor older candidates instead.

 

[Alondra]

In a democracy, having a young president or prime minister is not a big deal because the head of government can be changed in four or five years. In an absolute monarchy, however, a monarch who may reign for nearly 30 years (for example, a pope who is 60 when elected and can live up to 88 like Bergoglio or longer) can have a huge impact on the direction of the Church. I think many cardinals are wary of the risks of a long papacy, and that is why they tend to favor older candidates instead.

Which is the problem in choosing a new Pope. If he lives 20 or more years he closes the job for aspiring Cardinals but even more essentially, takes the church in his own direction - reform and openness or going back to JPII and the most conservative Doctrine of Faith.

 

[An Ard Ri]

The college of Cardinals now is far more diverse than in previous conclaves
Some of the recent Red Hats :
Myanmar,Burkina Faso,Côte d'Ivoire, Haiti, Nicaragua, Philippines, St. Lucia, South Korea, Mozambique, Panama, Thailand, Tonga,Vietnam ,Iraq, Madagascar, Pakistan,East Timor, Ghana, India, Mongolia, Nigeria, Morocco , Singapore now all have Cardinals.

Before Pope Francis was elected there were 4 living Irish Cardinals ,today there's only one (the emeritus Archbishop of Dublin) and no red hats awarded for the new Archbishop of Armagh or Dublin which has been traditional for the Primate(s) of Ireland and all Ireland.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Even Sweden has for the first time a cardinal since 2017. It’s the first cardinal from any scandinavian country.

Despite being a largely protestant country, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockholm (wich handles the entire Sweden for the RCC) have seen a huge increase in both new parishes and new members over recent years. That resulted in Pope Francis deciding to create their Bishop since 1998 Anders Arborelius OCD to a Cardinal-Priest at the consistory on 28 June 2017.

He is 75 and i have seen him been considered by some international media as a papabile (though he himself would rather wish to retire quitely and go back to being the carmelite-monk he was before he became a bishop). He was also one of the more tight-lipped cardinals in the clip Mbruno posted above, wearing his carmelite vestment.

I do not expect him to be elected but it’s interesting to see a Cardinal from my little country even being mentioned

 

[Stefan]

I would like to see a papal name chosen that has not been used in numerous centuries.
The last pope named Paschal was Paschal I who died in 824.
The last pope named Callixtus was Callixtus III who died in 1458.
The last pope named Gelasius was Gelasius II who died in 1119.

A name which also has never been used before is Antonius
There are many ol names which have not been used for some time like
Hadrian
Gregor
Leo
and many more

 

[An Ard Ri]

Even Sweden has for the first time a cardinal since 2017. It’s the first cardinal from any scandinavian country.

Despite being a largely protestant country, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockholm (wich handles the entire Sweden for the RCC) have seen a huge increase in both new parishes and new members over recent years. That resulted in Pope Francis deciding to create their Bishop since 1998 Anders Arborelius OCD to a Cardinal-Priest at the consistory on 28 June 2017.

He is 75 and i have seen him been considered by some international media as a papabile (though he himself would rather wish to retire quitely and go back to being the carmelite-monk he was before he became a bishop). He was also one of the more tight-lipped cardinals in the clip Mbruno posted above, wearing his carmelite vestment.

I do not expect him to be elected but it’s interesting to see a Cardinal from my little country even being mentioned

Pope Francis seemed to elevate Prelates in areas that had never had a Red Hat before and where the RC church was growing and Stockholm was one of those elevations. Lars Anders Arborelius is also a Catholic Convert having done so in the 1970's and then became a Carmelite brother.
The number of Catholics in Sweden has risen thanks to migration from Poland,Lithuania ,Philippines and converts from Lutheranism.

 

[Toledo]

I hope we continue to catch a break from Italian popes and get the next one from anywhere but Europe. Pope selection is always a political move, and we need an expression of the church being more inclusive of foreign Catholics.

Since popes are selected at from an age group that is already in their senior years, and with a fast turnaround, the Vatican could give us some variety again.

Popes by country: List of popes by country - Wikipedia

 

[An Ard Ri]

The last Italian-born Pope was John Paul I ,who was Pope for a little over a month in the year of the 3 Popes!
1978:
Paul VI — John Paul I — John Paul II

 

[Toledo]

The last Italian-born Pope was John Paul I ,who was Pope for a little over a month in the year of the 3 Popes!
1978:
Paul VI — John Paul I — John Paul II

I totally forgot about John Paul I, he was Pope for only 33 days. More reason to select the next five popes in the next decade from Catholic in different continents.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I totally forgot about John Paul I, he was Pope for only 33 days. More reason to select the next five popes in the next decade from Catholic in different continents.

Pope John Paul I was also only 65 at the time of his election following the August 1978 Conclave
Most of the main contenders were all Italian born bar the late Cardinal Willebrands of the Netherlands.

 

[Linda_26]

The last Italian-born Pope was John Paul I ,who was Pope for a little over a month in the year of the 3 Popes!
1978:
Paul VI — John Paul I — John Paul II

He would have been a good Pope had he not died so early. I was born many years later but I've often heard positive things about him. There are inevitably many conspiracy theories about his death.

I hope we continue to catch a break from Italian popes and get the next one from anywhere but Europe. Pope selection is always a political move, and we need an expression of the church being more inclusive of foreign Catholics.

Since popes are selected at from an age group that is already in their senior years, and with a fast turnaround, the Vatican could give us some variety again.

Popes by country: List of popes by country - Wikipedia

I'm not too interested in the nationality of the upcoming Pope, I think ideas matter much more. It should be noted that, based on the candidates, having another Italian (after 47 years) wouldn't necessarily mean a return to the past, and having an extra-European Pope wouldn't mean that he would be more "progressive" (quite the contrary, especially if we look at the African cardinals).

 

[An Ard Ri]

He would have been a good Pope had he not died so early. I was born many years later but I've often heard positive things about him. There are inevitably many conspiracy theories about his death.

The last person the speak with him was the Irish Bishop, John Magee who had also served under Pope Paul VI and they were lamenting the murder of a boy during a youth dispute in Rome.
The Pope said to the Bishop "Even the young are killing each other."

 

[Toledo]

He would have been a good Pope had he not died so early. I was born many years later but I've often heard positive things about him. There are inevitably many conspiracy theories about his death...

Thanks @Linda_26 , now I remember him! Without looking it up (because I have to log off now and do some gardening outside) I remember the conspiracy on his death was somehow related to the mafia. If true, that was so medieval Renaissance politics!