The man was reportedly dangling from the fence for over 20 minutes, screaming in pain, before a emergency workers freed him Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Witnesses reported that the man was unable to free himself and screamed in pain until he passed out I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An American tourist had to be prized off a metal fence outside the Colosseum in Rome after tripping and being impaled through his lower back The man may have been attempting to get a better view of the historic landmark, according to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero Other outlets reported he was trying to take a selfie The man has not been named, but he is reportedly a 47-year-old U.S. citizen living in Taiwan. He had been on vacation with family and friends and had only been in Rome for a few days Law enforcement and paramedics were called after the incident and arrived quickly though it took more than 20 minutes to remove the man who had lost consciousness the man was taken to nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and the man was unable to speak for hours after the incident The horrifying incident comes less than a week after hundreds of thousands of mourners from across the world gathered in Rome to honor Pope Francis The pontiff, whose death at the age of 88 was announced on Easter Monday, was laid to rest in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore with more than 250,000 people in attendance. Rome’s police force Polizia di Stato did not immediately respond to a request for comment Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies govt and politics"},{"score":0.680692,"label":"/law tourist impaled through lower back climbing metal fence outside the Colosseum in Rome","description":"Witnesses reported that the man was unable to free himself and screamed in pain until he passed out Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The world No 1 returns at next week’s Italian Open after a three-month anti-doping suspension amid a saga that left players questioning the fairness of the system Sinner, the best player in the world, had been attempting to emphasise just how low the concentration of the banned substance clostebol had been in his urine sample, and therefore how irrelevant it was to his performances on the court. “A different part is the amount I had in my body, which is zero point zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero… one,” he said, theatrically counting out each zero with his fingers. “So there are a lot of zeros before coming up a one.” Read moreLast summer was a period of significant tension, uncertainty and doubt for Sinner when his anti-doping case became public After initially successfully overturning the automatic provisional ban that follows a positive doping test he had been cleared by an independent tribunal to continue competing without penalty Instead it turned out to be the first episode of a protracted saga that has drawn global attention opened him up to scathing criticism and may have significant implications for many future cases in other sports Sinner will make his return to professional tennis The circumstances surrounding his comeback could hardly be more dramatic one of the most high-profile Italian athletes of his generation will begin his comeback on home soil to a hero’s welcome at the Italian Open in Rome The relief Sinner felt in August faded relatively quickly The World Anti-doping Agency (Wada) had accepted Sinner’s explanation that his fitness trainer had bought an over-the-counter healing spray that contains clostebol for his own personal use and that Sinner’s physio had inadvertently contaminated the player during their routine treatment after using it for a cut finger But Wada was not prepared to leave it there It opted to appeal against the result of the first instance hearing seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years Even as Wada officials were still publicly pushing for a suspension they were privately in contact with Sinner’s team to look at a case resolution agreement a provision in place since 2021 that offers more flexibility in what Wada sees as more minor cases reforms have been proposed for the next iteration of the Wada anti-doping code that would allow for more lenient penalties for unintentional contamination cases from 2027 Jannik Sinner with the Australian Open trophy he won for the second time in 2025 Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty ImagesUnder the current Wada rules a no significant fault or negligence ruling for an anti-doping violation based on a banned substance rather than a contaminated legal product carries a minimum 12-month ban unless the court of arbitration for sport (Cas) intervenes The two parties settled on a three-month suspension period which also meant that Sinner would not miss any grand slam tournaments Since Sinner’s case was made public, it has received criticism at every stage particularly due to the belief that the No 1 has been the beneficiary of favouritism that lower-profile athletes would not be granted Comparisons have been made with other cases including the 18-month ban Mikael Ymer of Sweden received in 2023 for three whereabouts failures and the 19 months it took for the British doubles specialist Tara Moore to be cleared of doping after being provisionally banned in May 2022 The International Tennis Integrity Unit (ITIA) has since appealed against her case The anti-doping authorities have pushed back on these comparisons arguing that all cases operate under completely different facts and circumstances The announcement of Sinner’s case-resolution agreement and suspension prompted another wave of criticism Novak Djokovic described the widespread frustration a day after the ban was announced: “A majority of the players that I’ve talked to in the locker room are not happy with the way this whole process has been handled A majority of the players don’t feel that it’s fair A majority of the players feel like there is favouritism happening it appears that you can almost affect the outcome if you are a top player if you have access to the top lawyers and whatnot,” he said Daniil Medvedev also stressed the need for consistency in future: “I hope that the next few times the players will be able to do that,” the Russian said “I hope that it will create a precedent where everyone will have the opportunity to defend themselves better than before making only a couple of public appearances but he has begun to speak publicly in the buildup to his return Free weekly newsletterThe best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend’s action He stressed the importance of enclosing himself and his team in a “bubble” and focusing on the people around him His return to competition will force him to confront those feelings again as he navigates lingering doubts and uncertainty inside the player locker room Aside from Sinner’s Davis Cup teammates and other compatriots Draper has been one of the few top players to consistently support the Italian publicly Draper has sent Sinner text messages emphasising his admiration for him and how he sees him as an inspiration for his own career “I think it’s important for people to know and recognise that the guy’s very So he doesn’t deserve any of the hate that he gets,” Draper said last week in Madrid The results on the court have only added to the uniqueness of this situation It is undeniable that Sinner has managed the tension and uncertainty surrounding him remarkably well producing the most dominant stretch of form in his entire career He is 36-1 since last August when the case was announced elevating his grand slam title count to three with wins at the US Open last year and Australian Open in January He won the Cincinnati Masters 1000 event last year while staying up until the early hours of the morning to participate in the first hearing remotely Even with a three-month advantage, nobody has even come close to dethroning Sinner. Now, as he returns to great fanfare, attention and criticism after a suspension that will mark a significant part of his story until the final day of his career, the next challenge for the best player in the world will be to find his footing on the court again and re-establish himself as the dominant force in his sport. The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers When you purchase through links on our site This year is already one of the busiest for tourists in Rome, but as the city mourns Pope Francis’ passing and prepares for a historic conclave, Robyn Wilson finds there are sill moments calm at historic sites – and gastronomic delights aplenty The streets of Rome are bustling as mourners wait patiently in line outside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major – the final resting place of Pope Francis, whose death on 21 April prompted an outpouring of global mourning. Security guards and Polizia strictly control the queue to see his tomb. On the far side of the street, people dodge cars for a better view of the pilgrims and clergy who have come to pay their respects. Sharp whistles sound out from a police motorcade carrying the 135 eligible cardinals who will decide the next pope – their red skullcaps just visible through the tinted windows Their visit to the church is part of a nine-day mourning period following Pope Francis’ death, before they commence the conclave to choose the new pontiff. From the more than 400,000 people descending on the capital over the weekend, a huge crowd of 250,000 filled St Peter’s Square for his funeral on Saturday morning 150,000 lined the streets as his coffin was transported to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he was later buried in a private ceremony Read more: What is a conclave? What to know about the secretive process to elect the next pope the prospect of visiting the city at such a time feels daunting and her partner Ryan had come to Rome on holiday for the weekend having booked tickets before the Pope’s death so they were saying I was living every Catholic’s dream but we’re just hoping it wouldn’t be too busy,” she said One local, meanwhile, summed up the ongoing whirlwind of events leading up to the funeral weekend with a simple “mamma mia!”, before adding that they expected more crowds over the coming days in the run up to the conclave starting on 7 May. This comes, they said, on top of the swell of visitors due to the year-long Jubilee celebrations that began at the end of December – an event that only happens every 25 years marking a significant time for spiritual renewal for Catholics the Jubilee is expected to bring up to 30 million pilgrims to the capital in 2025 according to Italy’s National Tourist Research Institute (INRTI) Read more: Best luxury hotels in Rome for stylish suites and stunning rooftop views where I was lucky enough to catch an amateur opera singer performing in the open air to a small crowd of onlookers but it was a cinematic moment that I won’t be forgetting in a hurry Read more: The best events in Rome in 2025, from art to archaeology For any visitors planning a visit to the Eternal City it’s worth bearing in mind that with the possibility of the conclave lasting for weeks the Sistine Chapel within the Vatican will be closed during that time All tours of the Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis have also been suspended I was able to secure tickets for the Colosseum and Roman Forum the day before but it’s advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment Read more: What tourists can expect from visiting Rome and the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis The same applies to hotels. Since the Jubilee announcement, accommodation has become a hot topic across the city with landlords reportedly even converting long-term rentals into short-let stays to capitalise on the influx of tourists The INRTI says Rome’s 400,000 beds would probably fall short of what’s required which means hotels are highly likely to get booked up was full on my arrival due to the funeral delegation While this eased with check-outs the following morning one staff member told me they had a steady stream of guests in the coming weeks Despite the bustle, with the sun breathing a spring-like warmth to the day, there was plenty of motivation for wandering around Rome’s gorgeous streets to enjoy a little la dolce vita. I strolled along the banks of the Tiber River and visited the breathtaking Santa Maria in Aracoeli Basilica, one of the oldest churches in Rome. To reach it you have to climb a flight of 124 steps, but it’s certainly worth the effort. Read more: Italy travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go Of course, even at such a frenzied time for the city, in Rome there is always time to eat, and I had no issues grabbing a table as a walk-in for lunch on the Sunday afternoon. Meandering around the backstreets of Trastevere I stumbled upon Puntarella Ristorante and enjoyed some gastronomic magic including deep fried artichoke sitting on top of a rich cheese sauce and a fried courgette stuffed with mozzarella and anchovy Accompanied with a chilled glass of Sicilian chardonnay it perfectly capped off a busy but enjoyable weekend break in the Eternal City Flights from London Gatwick to Rome with Vueling start at £53 return The five-star Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel is a grand hotel housed in a historic building Robyn Wilson travelled as a guest of Anantara Read more: 8 of the best city breaks in Italy, from art-filled Florence to coastal Cagliari {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"iStock-1489788358","description":"Rome, Italy overlooking the Roman Forum and Colosseum at dusk","caption":"The Roman Forum and Colosseum will remain open during conclave The Roman Forum and Colosseum will remain open during conclave but as the city mourns Pope Francis’ passing and prepares for a historic conclave Robyn Wilson finds there are sill moments calm at historic sites – and gastronomic delights aplenty This issue is preventing our website from loading properly. 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LOGIN The second Trump administration has embarked on a set of broadly anti-trade tariff policies that are threatening the foundations of Pax Americana the post-World War II global order that ensured U.S it would not be the first such system whose decline could be partly attributed to short-sighted political decisions that reduced trade trade generated wealth outside of the direct control of the landholding elites who dominated politics in nearly every ancient society Yet the Roman Empire benefited greatly from expanding Mediterranean trade between the third century B.C.E Roman policy encouraged trade and the economic growth it created lined Roman coffers too at least until the Romans themselves fragmented the pan-Mediterranean trade zone they had created impoverishing their empire and leaving it less able to face the challenges that would eventually lead to its fragmentation and dissolution in the West The Romans had the good fortune to expand into a Mediterranean world already experiencing a substantial expansion of trade, particularly seaborne trade often datable by the cargo they deposited on the Mediterranean sea floor can provide a guide to the amount of overall sea trade since the number of shipwrecks will correlate To judge by the rate at which dateable shipwrecks appear in the archaeological record Mediterranean shipping was already around 10 times what it had been in the ninth century B.C.E and equally roughly 10 times what it would be in the ninth century C.E the expansion of the Roman Republic coincides with an enormous burst of trade activity: Dateable shipwrecks leap from between 20 and 40 per half-century between 500 and 200 B.C.E That boom in seaborne trade is reflected not only in shipwrecks but also in land-based evidence for trade like ceramic containers which can be traced to distant points of origin and persists well into the imperial period Moreover, we know that not only were there more ships plying the trade lanes, they were often much larger. The constant background hum of Mediterranean trade in the pre-modern period were small sailing traders engaged in short range “cabotage” trading, often with deadweight tonnages around 30 tons. confined smaller ships to the outer harbor with the main harbor facilities reserved for larger freighters The great boom in trade the Romans enjoyed was not entirely serendipity: While sea trade had been growing prior to Rome’s expansion to encompass the whole of the Mediterranean—a process that advanced in stages from the third to the first centuries B.C.E.—Roman rule notably accelerated that growth While Roman aristocrats in the Senate often looked down their noses at the sorts of people engaging in trade (while also secretly acting as silent partners in such ventures) compared to the highly fragmented and violent Mediterranean of previous centuries the eventual expansion of Roman rule to cover the entire Mediterranean littoral denied pirates any safe base free from Roman retaliation After Pompey’s suppression of the Cilician pirates and conversion of Cilicia into a Roman province the risk from piracy in the Mediterranean appears to have markedly declined This was particularly important for pre-modern states like the Roman Empire that lacked the bureaucratic and administrative apparatus to employ more efficient and less distortionary kinds of taxes But Rome benefited the most not from the direct revenues it created The emergence of a robust and predictable system of long-distance trade in bulk staples enabled regional specialization in production to a degree not seen before Ancient farmers typically diversified their crops and communities produced a little bit of everything; this was safer in an environment where markets were unpredictable and unreliable but it also meant accepting that a substantial amount of labor and land were committed to the production of crops and goods not well suited to local conditions But as markets and long-distance trade became more robust regions of the Roman world could specialize albeit to a degree that would strike the modern viewer as quite modest (even if it was unprecedented at the time) counting on the market to deliver the goods they did not produce in exchange for the goods they did Settlements specialized in the production of consumer goods like large-scale production of terra sigillata pottery for export at La Graufesenque in what is today Aveyron The result was a significant and noticeable uptick in prosperity across the Roman world alongside sustained population growth: Conservative estimates suggest a 25% increase in GDP per capita over this period and population growth from roughly 45 million to over 60 million That in turn also meant more resources available to the Roman state to fund its public works with trade sharply lower in the fourth century than it was in the third collapsing to almost nothing by the fifth century Any such economic transition stems from complex causes but the most immediate cause for the decline in Roman trade was simply that the political conditions that had enabled the Roman trade boom in the first place ceased the Romans entered a period known as the Crisis of the Third Century: Five decades of renewed civil war shattered the unity of the empire and thus the unity and safety of its markets debased the currency to pay their soldiers and buy loyalty leading the once reliable Roman currency system to become shaky at best the text of which is partially preserved today Like most such state interventions in the economy and cumbersome taxes that relied on a five-year census that was never regularly performed leading to tax assessments that bore little resemblance to the economic activity they were taxing rather than creating a more agile tax system forbidding tenant farmers to leave their lands in a forerunner of what would become European serfdom The result was that while the Roman economy stabilized more exposed to the decisions and caprice of emperors and one that provided fewer resources for the Romans to defend their empire It was a poor time for Rome to be without its economic might as intensifying security threats on both the Rhine-Danube frontier and with the Sassanid Empire in the East demanded greater spending on Rome’s armies The resulting heavy taxation likely depressed the Roman economy further one element out of many in the downward spiral that led to the eventual fragmentation and dissolution of the Empire in the West in the fifth century It is no new thing for political authorities to assume that “trade is bad,” and to inaccurately view trade deficits as a form of theft Yet societies that act on that elite disdain risk destroying the very thing that enabled their prosperity and strength in the first place This post appeared in the FP Weekend newsletter, a weekly showcase of book reviews, deep dives, and features. Sign up here Bret Devereaux is a historian specializing in the Roman economy and military Commenting on this and other recent articles is just one benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now Please follow our comment guidelines The default username below has been generated using the first name and last initial on your FP subscriber account Usernames may be updated at any time and must not contain inappropriate or offensive language FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day Specialty rates for students and faculty. Lock in your rates for longer. Unlock powerful intelligence for your team. Papal electors gossip in bars and restaurants and try to avoid journalists seeking clues to Pope Francis’s successor Some journalists brave the warm spring sun others seek respite in the shade of the Vatican’s colonnades the aim is the same: to spot the red-capped cardinals emerging from Synod Hall and try to elicit from them a clue as to who will succeed Pope Francis The men responsible for picking a new pontiff are enjoying rock-star status in Rome this week as they prepare for conclave: the secret centuries-old ritual of electing a leader of the Catholic church that is due to begin on 7 May Marina García Diéguez is among the journalists partaking in the daily stakeout but was quick to suss out the cunning ways the cardinals try to avoid the gaggle of reporters “Each one has his own strategy,” said Diéguez who works for the Spanish radio station Cadena Ser and Mediaset España “Some already have cars with blacked-out windows waiting for them Others remove their red skullcaps and leave by foot taking a route that crosses St Peter’s Square where they can get lost among the tourists before escaping through Via della Conciliazione.” It was at that point that you stood a good chance of catching one Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan of Hong Kong is approached by reporters outside the Vatican Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/APDiéguez had managed to obtain quotes from a couple an Italian cardinal whose name cropped up this week among the favourites for pope The Guardian’s attempt to give chase was not as successful is a very good thing,” said an Argentinian cardinal in Italian: “But we are working very well together,” and striding off About 180 cardinals from all over the world have been gathering each morning this week at Synod Hall to get to know each other and to share their visions of the church but ultimately to establish a clear pope contender 133 are eligible to vote after two dropped out of the conclave for health reasons Eight in 10 of the voters were appointed by Francis with 20 becoming cardinals only in December Francis made a point of selecting cardinals from places where there had never previously been one Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/APDuring conclave the men will be sequestered in their humble lodgings at Casa Santa Marta the guesthouse where Pope Francis lived during his 12-year papacy The cardinals swear an oath of silence before each pre-conclave meeting and will do so again when the election begins it is in the bars and restaurants in the area surrounding the Vatican where the real talking happens with some mischievous cardinals exploiting the press while they can to leak titbits or to discredit the main candidates has been a favourite among Rome’s clergy for years According to a framed newspaper article hanging on the wall plotted to ensure the election of Joseph Ratzinger in the 2005 conclave Showing a photo on his phone of a plain-clothed Wuerl in Al Passetto di Borgo Raniero Mancinelli is on his own initiative making outfits for the next pope Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/APThe only information Fulvimari had been able to glean from his prestigious clients this week was that they wanted the conclave over “as soon as possible” “But this is where the real decisions get made.” the presence of cardinals has petered out because of journalists Another meeting point is reportedly Caffe dei Papi a coffee bar tucked away from the main hubbub on Via Vespasiano “But I never know when they are here,” said Ilda the main chatter in the bar has revolved around who will be elected pope “I think it should be someone who embraces everyone,” said Ilda is a lapsed Catholic and therefore indifferent “I’m just happy they’ve cleaned the streets,” he said “The only time that happens around here is when a pope dies.” told reporters on Monday that the 179 Cardinals participated in the tenth General Congregation He noted that all 133 Cardinal electors are present in Rome ahead of the conclave that starts on May 7 told the Congregation that Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell drew lots on Saturday afternoon for the room assignments of the Cardinals All will be accommodated at the Casa Santa Marta and the old Santa Marta will be able to travel from the Casa Santa Marta to the Sistine Chapel as they wish There were 26 interventions at the Congregation on Monday morning that touched on the following topics: - Canon law and the role of the Vatican City State; - The missionary nature of the Church; - The role of Caritas in defending the poor; - The presence of so many journalists was highlighted seen as a sign that the Gospel has meaning for the world today—as a call to responsibility; - The prayer during the COVID pandemic was recalled as an open door of hope in a time of fear; - Regarding the new Pope: many hope for a shepherd close to the people in a world where the global order is in crisis; - The challenges of transmitting the faith and a fragmented world were discussed; - Concern was expressed over divisions within the Church; - The role of women in the Church and the education of children were addressed; - Reference was made to the documents of the Second Vatican Council on how the Word of God is nourishment for the people of God Bruni said all efforts are being made during the General Congregations to ensure that all Cardinals who wish to speak have the opportunity to do so Work has been mostly completed on the Sistine Chapel as well as on accommodations at the two Casa Santa Martas and Cardinals may check in as of Tuesday morning will not be able to visit the Sistine Chapel since the Vatican Gendarmerie have already secured it images will be released showing the prepared interior Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here Many of the cardinals in Rome preparing for the conclave celebrated Mass Sunday at their "titular" churches Dolan of New York speaks with parishioners after he celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church ROME (CNS) -- An AI-generated image of U.S President Donald Trump dressed as the pope "was not good," Cardinal Timothy M "I hope he didn't have anything to do with that," he told reporters before he entered Our Lady of Guadalupe Church where he celebrated Mass May 4 featuring Trump wearing a white cassock and miter traditionally worn by a pope was first shared on the president's @realDonaldTrump account on TruthSocial.com and then shared by official White House social media accounts May 3 Cardinal Dolan was asked if he was offended by the image The cardinal was celebrating Mass at his "titular" parish they are assigned a "titular" church in Rome which makes them members of the clergy of the Diocese of Rome The small church in the hilltop district of Monte Mario was full of parishioners thanked the cardinal for his visit and noted the importance of the day's Gospel reading (John 21:1-19) as the world's cardinals were gathered in Rome to choose the next pope.  Jesus did not give Simon Peter clear directions on how to build or lead his church after his death and resurrection Cardinal Dolan and others will have the task of choosing the successor of Peter -- the leader of the universal church and the bishop of Rome not because he is prepared," but because he loves Jesus with all his heart and will answer his call to follow Jesus and feed his sheep Cardinal Dolan asked everyone to pray for him and all the cardinals as they prepare to begin the conclave May 7 to choose the next pope The cardinal focused his homily on the Gospel reading and how Jesus gathers his disciples to share a meal Every Sunday Mass is the people of God -- the Lord's disciples -- coming together to share a meal with the Lord It is a spiritual "meal" shared as a family with the Holy Mother Church Remarking that "Pope Francis loved to say and often would say to us priests" to keep homilies short that's it!" keeping his talk to under five minutes Cardinal Dolan asked if their priest keeps his homilies brief The cardinal processed to the back of the church and stood outside the front door so he could greet and chat with all the parishioners as they filed out posed for selfies and invited people to come to New York City and visit him at St Meeting again with reporters after the Mass told the cardinals to "make sure you ask the people to pray for us because we need it very He said the cardinals are "still getting to know one another," and it helps that this is his second conclave recently-elevated cardinal in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis he said he was "so nervous" and wasn't sure what to do "Will there be a Francis II," he was asked When asked what characteristics he would like to see in the next pope he said it was important the pope always smile and be simple It would be nice to blend all the best characteristics of the last three popes including Pope Benedict XVI's "intense intellect" and St John Paul II's "courage and his call to follow Jesus." "But you only have two more days," a reporter said Catholic News Service has been providing complete in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years faithful and informed connection to the Holy See While people around the world are praying for the cardinals who will enter the conclave May 7 to elect the next pope Cardinal Gugerotti urged electors to draw on Eastern Christian humility and let the Spirit The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB’s) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy ©2025 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Made possible by funding from  As the conclave to elect Francis’s replacement nears it’s unclear from whom the Holy See will source new robes When a pope dies and the process to elect his replacement is announced the traditional garment-maker to the pontiffs That’s because its tailors display the robes that the new pope will wear in their storefront window The conclave – the cardinals’ vote to pick a pope to replace Francis, who died on April 21 – is to start on Wednesday the Gammarelli-made robes would already be on display in three sizes – small medium and large – since the tailors don’t know the dimensions of the new pope When I visited Gammarelli a week ahead of the conclave I assumed the new papal robes were still under the knife and needle and not ready for display “We have not received the order from the Holy See so we are not preparing any cassocks for the conclave,” Massimiliano Gammarelli a sixth-generation member of the Gammarelli family No wonder the mood was sombre inside the shop which has been in the family since at least 1798 making it the oldest business in Rome run by the same owners Gammarelli records show that its tailors have clothed almost every new pope since Pius IX (1846-1878) with the glaring recent exception of Karol Jozef Wojtyla the Polish cardinal who became Pope John Paul II in 1978; he used a tailor from his native Krakow Gammarelli did not know exactly why the Holy See chose to skip the clothing order for Francis’s successor He assumes that the conclave will raid its closet and pick a cassock – the full-length garment Since Gammarelli always made new-pope garments in three sizes the conclave wardrobes probably hold lots of options The Holy See press office declined to comment on its decision not to place a new order for conclave robes The Italian press speculated that it was out of respect for Francis’s austere lifestyle white cassocks – the first one of which was made by Gammarelli – and avoided all the trappings of luxury and was chauffeured around in a cheap white Fiat he almost always wore a white cassock and white mozzetta the short cape that is worn over the cassock (Gammarelli had made a red-velvet fur-trimmed mozzetta for his debut as pope in 2013 The Gammarellis have been papal tailors since the 1700s when popes ruled a larger country than today and Italy was not yet unified.Christopher Furlong/Getty Images On the week before the start of the conclave the mood at another old ecclesiastical tailor Mancinelli has made clothing for the last three popes crammed Medieval Borgo neighbourhood in the shadow of St In the tailor’s room at the back of the shop founder and master tailor Raniero Mancinelli light-wool cassocks in three sizes for the conclave I asked whether the reports about the Holy See going with old clothing stock for the conclave were inaccurate Had he received an order at Gammarelli’s expense “They will be a gift for the conclave.” Since there would be no charge The Mancinelli shop was alive with customers on the late afternoon last Wednesday Several priests from Latin America were trying on fasce the decorative silk scarves that are draped over a priest’s shoulders that taper to a point in the front and the back “A lot of priests and cardinals come here,” said Lionel Alfaro a priest from Nicaragua who was buying several fasce Mancinelli greeted many clients as if they were old friends by tucking his arm in theirs and giving them a big smile helps to run the shop while he and Laura’s son the central Italian region between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea birthplace of the Renaissance painter Raphael found a niche market in ecclesiastical garments and “I have met three popes and made garments for them – John Paul On the wall of the shop are photos of him and his wife One of the photos shows John Paul II opening a white box containing white Mancinelli clothes are the Canadian cardinals Thomas Collins of Toronto and Marc Ouellet of Quebec I asked if any of his cardinal clients might be papal candidates in the conclave “But only the Holy Spirit knows who the next pope will be Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following \n \n \n \n \n \n Since Mancinelli Clero opened in 1962 its owner has built a loyal following among Catholic clergy but has never supplied clothes for a conclave before.\n \n Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters\n \n \n \n \n \n","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"X4RHPZCMRZBSTM4FFVN3HE6OJE","content":"\n \n \n \n \n \n \n One recent visitor to the shop is Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq He is one of the electors that will take part in the conclave.\n \n Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mr who is roughly the same age as the late Pope Francis keeps an old photo of one of their encounters He also made clothes for popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.\n \n Gregorio Borgia/AP\n \n \n \n \n \n","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"73LF755HNJECLKHKHZD7GJNXVA","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Mancinelli shop was alive with customers on the late afternoon last Wednesday “They are very friendly in this shop.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"WLIDMONYNNH6HJF7AFCMVGSNNY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mr ","type":"text"},{"_id":"2MAMODTDKJHRJDCIAHGXDQK2VA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mr Benedict and Francis.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"356M7BNHFZBXRFPLOEBQTTMBWA","additional_properties":{},"content":"On the wall of the shop are photos of him and his wife ","type":"text"},{"_id":"BYDWBJDUYNGXFPM5KEGB5FAVBE","additional_properties":{},"content":"I asked if any of his cardinal clients might be papal candidates in the conclave Eric has spent about half of his time covering economic ranging from the euro zone crisis and the bank bailouts to the rise and fall of Russia's oligarchs and several UN climate summits He also covered the Arab Spring in Tunisia the Athens riots during the financial crisis the 2013 papal conclave and Pope Francis's apology tour to the Indigenous groups in Canada in 2022 the economic and political turmoil in Lebanon the threats to the Egyptian Nile and several NATO summits he has been one of The Globe and Mail reporters covering the Ukraine war he is also a regular guest on Canadian and American radio and TV programs an international clean capitalism magazine Eric wrote the paper's main business and economics column from Toronto; he still writes a weekly column today He has also co-hosted a daily business TV program on BNN and wrote a regular column for Time Canada the Hyman Solomon Award for Excellence in Public Policy Journalism He was co-winner in 2010 of a National Newspaper Award and has twice been an NNA runner-up in the columnist category he won gold in Canada's National Magazine Awards and took silver in 2015 He won gold in Canada for commentary from SABEW (the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing) in 2015 he won another gold for commentary from SABEW and took silver in the long feature category a remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks an essay and photo book on the Alberta oil sands His book Ghosts of War: Chasing My Father’s Legend Through Vietnam was published by Sutherland House Books in 2022 Eric joined The Globe and Mail in late 1997 He has an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English and French Literature and a Masters in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario Previous employers include The Times of London the Financial Post in its New York and London bureaus the Financial Times of Canada and Alberta Report magazine Tony Keller is a columnist with The Globe and Mail He joined The Globe in 1991 as an editorial writer; over a career of more than 30 years he has also served as editor of The Financial Post Magazine managing editor of Maclean’s and a TV news anchor on BNN (now BNN-Bloomberg) He returned to The Globe in 2013 to become the paper's editorials editor and remained in that position until 2022 he’s a graduate of Duke University and Yale Law School and has also been a visiting fellow at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and the Wilson Center in Washington D.C He’s been nominated three times for the National Newspaper Award for editorial writing Adam Radwanski is a policy columnist and feature writer for The Globe and Mail's Report on Business Specializing in solutions-oriented reporting and analysis his current focus is on opportunities and challenges around boosting Canada's economic sovereignty during a time of continental and global tumult His recent work has included serving as the Globe's climate-policy columnist focusing on the transition to a low-carbon economy he was also finalist in 2024 for the SABEW Canada Best in Business award for opinion writing and a co-recipient of the Canadian Journalism Foundation's award for climate solutions reporting He was previously a political feature writer and a member of the Globe's editorial board He made his start in journalism as the founder of Canada's first online political magazine was a columnist and editor at the National Post and was managing editor for online services at Maclean's Andrew Willis is a business columnist for the Report on Business Working in business communications and journalism for three decades from 2010 to 2016 he was senior vice-president of communications for Brookfield Asset Management a leading global alternative asset management company Jameson Berkow is the capital markets reporter for The Globe and Mail to cover the economic implications of cannabis legalization He left in early 2020 to start an entrepreneurship magazine and rejoined The Globe in early 2022 to cover financial regulation and governance for Globe Advisor With more than a decade of experience in financial journalism Jameson was most recently the senior reporter for BNN Bloomberg (formerly the Business News Network) where he led live daily coverage of major business news from the television station’s Toronto headquarters He previously worked as the station’s Western Canada bureau chief based in Calgary where his reporting on pipeline politics and the 2014 oil price crash was nominated for numerous awards.\nHis series of reports from Fort McMurray Alberta in 2015 was a finalist for the RTDNA Dave Rogers Award Jameson was the technology reporter for the Financial Post in Toronto where he created and hosted the FP Tech Desk podcast and authored the weekly Startup Spotlight profile series Jameson got his start in journalism in 2007 as a fact-checker for Toronto Life magazine where his first byline was for a story about two dogs getting married Have you signed up yet for my twice-weekly e-mail newsletter, Carrick on Money? Subscribe here Paul Attfield is a reporter at The Globe and Mail Born in England and raised both there and in France Paul is now a dual citizen of Canada and the United Kingdom He has called Toronto home since moving there from London in 2005 Working in The Globe’s sports department since 2006 Paul started out covering predominantly soccer and rugby he has become more of a general assignment reporter writing about pretty much anything involving a bat Temur Durrani is a national reporter for The Globe and Mail a Globe business podcast about how our failures shape us he was a technology reporter for The Globe’s Report on Business he broke news and wrote extensively about Canadian firms like Shopify turbulence in global cryptocurrency markets A globe-trotting newshound hailing from British Columbia and even the Raptors’ historic run to the NBA final Before joining The Globe in February of 2022 where he reported investigative stories and business features for broadcast and digital audiences he was a staffer at the Winnipeg Free Press A juror since 2021 for the annual Dalton Camp Award which grants young writers with a $10,000 prize for the best essay on the link between media and democracy TV and radio panels to provide news analysis He speaks in six languages fluently or conversationally (guess which ones!) takes his caffeinated beverages very seriously Carrie Tait is a reporter in The Globe and Mail’s Calgary Bureau Her coverage ranges from race relations in her home province of Saskatchewan to the lighthearted topic of skiing cats in Alberta Carrie has reported on the wildfires and floods in Alberta and British Columbia; how Cargill’s meat-processing plant in High River became the site of Canada’s largest single outbreak of COVID-19; and naming trends among Calgary Stampede participants she covered energy for the Globe’s Report on Business and has also reported for the National Post She joined the National Post’s Calgary bureau in 2008 \n\nAfter completing The Globe’s summer reporting program Pippa has written for a number of The Globe’s newsletters She has also been a regular contributor to a personal finance series about the great wealth transfer Pippa was lead editor for The Tyee's What Works series on sustainable enterprises She also reported breaking news for CityNews Vancouver freelanced for Canada’s National Observer and worked as a research associate for the Climate Disaster project She published her findings on the lack of climate change attribution in Ottawa media in J-Source Pippa has reported from The Globe's Vancouver and Toronto bureaus Irene Galea is a business reporter for The Globe and Mail's Report on Business She currently covers the telecommunications industry She has reported from five countries in three languages and her work has earned two awards and an honourable mention from the Society for American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW) for best business reporting in Canada reporting on European business and politics from Berlin Irene is also the host of City Space, The Globe and Mail's podcast on the future of cities. Its 2024 season concluded with an interview on housing, immigration and economics with former prime minister Justin Trudeau Irene's writing has been published by the Financial Post National Trust for Canada and the Canadian Museums Association was broadcast nationally by CBC as part of the Absolutely Canadian series Irene holds a Masters of Building History from the University of Cambridge Her dissertation explored the development of 19th-century bank architecture in Toronto She received a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University where she was awarded the University Medal for ranking first in class Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida Poilievre depart a polling station after voting in Ottawa on Monday Cathal Kelly is a columnist for The Globe and Mail Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. 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For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions I’m writing to you from Rome for two reasons It's our policy at The Pillar to comp full subscriptions to religious sisters and brothers and other Catholics who are poor for the mission of the Gospel And in the past month — especially in the weeks since Pope Francis died — we’ve gotten scores of requests for comped subscriptions from seminarians and religious wanting to keep up with everything they can from Rome The superior of one religious house told us that sisters listen to bonus episodes of our podcasts or read the Smoke Signals bonus conclave content we’re producing from Rome and then they take what they hear to prayer Those prayers are a gift for the whole Church But comping paid subscriptions for people who need them — like those sisters — depends on our earning paid subscriptions from those who can afford to pay If that means you — and if you can afford to become a paid Pillar reader — please consider doing so: If you think what we’re doing matters — and you can afford it — maybe upgrade your subscription amount upgrade your subscription And if you don’t want to change your own subscription status but you do want to support those comped subscribers A gift, for The Pillar Here’s the good news. Our news team in Rome is producing a lot of news, analysis, and interviews right now We’re telling you who matters in the conclave and what the leaders have to say about that doing work that cardinals tell us they’re reading — which means our journalism is playing some small part in the preparation for the serious task ahead I just finished a week leading a pilgrimage of families (including my own) through the holy sites of Rome, as part of the Jubilee Year. It was life-changing for me, and for Mrs. Flynn, and for our kids. Here’s my family, praying at the tomb of Pope St. John Paul II.And I was humbled that other pilgrims told me it was life-changing for them too. We combined a pilgrim’s spirit, daily Mass and prayer in sacred spaces, with friendship, and with lots of conversation about the life of the Church, and God’s call in our lives. Here’s some Roman climbing fun.Ed and I will be leading another Roman pilgrimage in December please God — and just as soon as he’s elected Ed and I will be adapting our pilgrimage plans to be tailor-made to his papacy We’ll go through the Holy Doors of the Jubilee Year we’ll seek the blessing of the new pontiff we’ll ask God to show Rome to us all through the eyes of faith And we want you — Pillar friends of all ages — to be there I just spent a week with the pilgrimage ministry we’re working with — Verso Ministries They do this work so that people like us can have transformational experiences at the heart of the Church And if you want to support someone else in going So get more information (know that the itinerary is going to change some, to have an experience tailored around the new pope), or sign up right here. I am excited about the Pillar Pilgrimage in December. And, really, it’ll be better if you’re there with us. Check out our awesome pilgrimage P.S.: Here I am making pizza — at a pizza-and-gelato-making class our December group can probably take! ReplyShare15 more comments...LatestNo posts I\u2019m writing to you from Rome for two reasons And in the past month \u2014 especially in the weeks since Pope Francis died \u2014 we\u2019ve gotten scores of requests for comped subscriptions or read the Smoke Signals bonus conclave content we\u2019re producing from Rome But comping paid subscriptions for people who need them \u2014 like those sisters \u2014 depends on our earning paid subscriptions from those who can afford to pay If that means you \u2014 and if you can afford to become a paid Pillar reader \u2014 please consider doing so: Subscribe now If you think what we\u2019re doing matters \u2014 and you can afford it \u2014 maybe upgrade your subscription amount upgrade your subscription And if you don\u2019t want to change your own subscription status A gift, for The Pillar Here\u2019s the good news. Our news team in Rome is producing a lot of news, analysis, and interviews right now We\u2019re telling you who matters in the conclave doing work that cardinals tell us they\u2019re reading \u2014 which means our journalism is playing some small part in the preparation for the serious task ahead Along with that, we\u2019re producing even more for our paying subscribers \u2014 bonus newsletter content in The Pillar Post, bonus podcast content, Starting Seven, and Smoke Signals Here\u2019s my family, praying at the tomb of Pope St. John Paul II.And I was humbled that other pilgrims told me it was life-changing for them too. We combined a pilgrim\u2019s spirit, daily Mass and prayer in sacred spaces, with friendship, and with lots of conversation about the life of the Church, and God\u2019s call in our lives. Here\u2019s some Roman climbing fun.Ed and I will be leading another Roman pilgrimage in December please God \u2014 and just as soon as he\u2019s elected We\u2019ll go through the Holy Doors of the Jubilee Year we\u2019ll seek the blessing of the new pontiff we\u2019ll ask God to show Rome to us all through the eyes of faith And we want you \u2014 Pillar friends of all ages \u2014 to be there I just spent a week with the pilgrimage ministry we\u2019re working with \u2014 Verso Ministries let me know \u2014 we\u2019ll figure that out So get more information (know that the itinerary is going to change some, to have an experience tailored around the new pope), or sign up right here. I am excited about the Pillar Pilgrimage in December. And, really, it\u2019ll be better if you\u2019re there with us. Check out our awesome pilgrimage P.S.: Here I am making pizza \u2014 at a pizza-and-gelato-making class our December group can probably take the Hologic WTA Tour continues the highlights of its clay-court swing with a second consecutive WTA 1000 event One of the most storied events on the calendar the tournament in the Italian capital began in 1930 and will be celebrating its 82nd edition this year Rome: Draws | Scores | Order of play As usual, a packed player field will be headed to the grounds of the Foro Italico to vie for the championship. Sixty-eight of the Top 70 players in the PIF WTA Rankings will be part of a 96-player singles draw. The two-week event starts main-draw play on Tuesday, May 6, leading up to the singles final on Saturday, May 17 and the doubles final the following day. The singles champion will pocket over 877,000 Euros and 1000 ranking points. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@internazionalibnlditalia) Let's break down some of the key facts arounf the next top-tier event on the schedule: Ranking points and prize moneyFirst round: 10 points | €13,150Second round: 35 points | €21,215Third round: 65 points | €38,313Round of 16: 120 points | €66,110Quarterfinals: 215 points | €124,700Semifinals: 390 points | €240,380Finalist: 650 points | €456,735Champion: 1000 points | €877,390 Some notable storylines to keep an eye on in Rome: Most mornings since the death of Pope Francis around 180 cardinals have filed into a Vatican City assembly hall sat down in rows of high-backed wooden chairs and bickered over the direction of their 1.4-billion-strong world religion.  red-hatted clerics share banal niceties about the late pontiff concealing deep-seated unease over his controversial 12-year rule but you have to know the situation to know what’s hidden behind the words,” said one person present at the gatherings which are called general congregations and are hotbeds of intense lobbying before the conclave the ancient ritual to select a new pope that kicks off on May 7 “So everyone’s speaking good about Pope Francis but the way they speak good about him shows they don’t like him.” “He was a good pope,” they might say “But we also need to consider the popes before him we need to see the whole tradition.” Much has already been made of the fact that the coming conclave is unfolding under the shadow of U.S.-style culture wars that even the Holy Mother Church can’t escape pitting MAGA-style conservatives against LGBTQ+-tolerant progressives But the divisions among the clergy are also about something rather more concrete: The future of ecclesiastical power in a Church that’s rapidly outgrowing the confines of Rome dramatically changed the geographical balance of the Church by appointing 50 cardinals of voting age almost half the current crop of 133 serving electors from outside of the traditional Western power bases Cardinals were drawn from previously overlooked places like Bridgetown in the small Caribbean island of St Leaders of major dioceses like Los Angeles and San Francisco were snubbed the pope launched a series of major global consultations called synods that dealt with hot-button issues like same-sex blessings and remarriage for divorcées The idea was to more closely involve lay people and women as well as clerics from the far-flung regions of the Church — especially in the fast-growing centers in Africa and Asia — in ecclesiastical decision-making But the consultations also gave more latitude to non-European priests fragmenting the implementation of theology and drawing still more power from the Curia one of Francis’ last moves before his death on April 21 was to extend these deliberations for another three years despite speculation that he was merely using delaying tactics to avoid instituting more radical reforms and its implications for where Church power really lies is now one of the main issues being discussed in pre-conclave lobbying sessions according to three people with knowledge of the discussions is coalescing around one man in particular: the Holy See’s secretary of state and Francis’ longest surviving ally This shrewd diplomat has already been a figure of controversy since the pope first grew ill in February Parolin’s quiet assertion of spiritual leadership during that period in particular his prominent role in a powerful prayer session outside St while attracting suspicion from those who saw him as making a bid But for those wary of the waning influence of Rome The cardinal is seen as having resisted the synodal reforms That has earned him the backing of some of the so-called curial cardinals Vatican officials who work directly for the Holy See in Vatican City Those include cardinals over 80 who won’t be able to vote in the conclave but still wield considerable influence over the lobbying beforehand as well as Italians who might long to see one of their own countrymen on the throne of Peter after 47 years in which the role has gone to non-Italians the push for Parolin has irked the pro-Francis faction which has warned that he would roll back Francis’ radical efforts to make the Church more inclusive Some have consequently sought to discredit Parolin as a closet conservative while pushing the synod’s general secretary “Rome cannot know and cannot understand all the dynamics going on in different continents,” said one of them “They don’t want the Church directed by the Roman Curia.” But that camp is splintered and badly coordinated with few strong candidates to rally around It is also full of fresh-faced clerics plucked from “relatively unimportant” positions who might fall prey to the machinations of “hardened Church politicians like the European and North American cardinals,” said Miles Pattenden a Church historian and lecturer at Oxford University’s history faculty the alt right are attempting a hostile takeover of the group deciding on the next pope A fight for control over a vast chunk of Italy’s debt pile tests Rome’s influence and could reshape the Italian financial system It’s the first time the Kremlin has acknowledged the estimated 11,000 North Korean troops fighting for Moscow in the region The two chatted on the margins of the memorial for Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday The three essays in this sixth issue of Letters from Rome are thematically unified in that they address what Cambridge historian Richard Rex has described as the third great crisis in the history of the Catholic Church “Who is God?”—a question posed by the Arian heresy and resolved by the teaching of the Council of Nicaea on the divinity of Christ The second great crisis grew out from the question “What is the Church?”—a question posed by the various sixteenth-century Protestant Reformations and resolved by the Council of Trent The third great crisis—in which we are living and which has caused immense personal suffering and social dissolution—revolves around the question “What is the human person?” Are there no “givens” in the human condition such that we are infinitely plastic bundles of desires Or are there truths built into the world and us truths that we can know by revelation and reason which show us the way to personal fulfillment and social solidarity On the answer to that binary a great deal depends for both the Church and the world: as Theresa Farnan and Mary Hasson demonstrate in their dissection of gender ideology; as Fr William Clare shows in his examination of some of the confusions of the past twelve years; and as Larry Chapp makes uncomfortably clear in his critique of how that ideology and those confusions have sent some Catholic theologians into a tailspin There is no more consequential issue at Conclave 2025 than this question of who we are as human beings For if the leadership of the Church gets that wrong we are in the gravest difficulty as disciples and as a community.—XR II The Anthropological Revolution and Its Challenge who recognized the crisis now at hand: “It is now becoming clear that the very notion of being—of what being human really means—is being called into question sex is no longer a given element of nature that man has to accept and personally make sense of: it is a social role that we choose for ourselves The profound falsehood of this theory and of the anthropological revolution contained within it is obvious.” the anthropological revolution warned of by Pope St emerged on the tailwinds of the twentieth century’s sexual revolution and quickly became the dominant ideology in medicine and education then diffused throughout the Caribbean and parts of Asia (Parts of Africa and the Middle East have eluded its powerful reach Recognizing the dangers it posed, Pope Francis too rejected gender ideology, often quite forcefully. He decried its deconstruction of sex and condemned the lies taught to children that “everyone can choose his or her sex.” He called its distorted claims “ugly” and “wicked,” and its beliefs “dangerous,” which indeed they are gender ideology asserts the individual’s right to self-determine an identity that rejects the meaning and permanence of sex to alter the body according to one’s sex-rejecting desires to displace one’s natural family with a “chosen family,” and to pursue sexual gratification unconstrained by moral norms or natural obligations But gender ideology is “dangerous” not just because it is based on lies but because it is a belief system meant to be lived out faulty anthropological premises lead to faulty moral conclusions some in the Church portrayed doctrinal fidelity as a barrier to pastoral care even though it was clear that pastoral outreach detached from the truth neither frees people from the harms of gender ideology nor provides guidance to pastors on the front lines of gender ideology’s “anthropological revolution.” Unfortunately despite reaffirming the teaching of the Church on this crucial issue Pope Francis added to the general confusion with a series of well-meaning but confusing pastoral gestures Francis’s photo ops and public meetings with “LGBTQ” activists sent contradictory messages that undermined his teaching on gender ideology The media predictably spotlighted these meetings portraying them as implicit support for gender ideology or outright encouragement for changes to Catholic teaching Francis himself added to the confusion at times through off-the-cuff comments and his clumsy use of wrong-sex pronouns for transgender-identified persons After his death, Francis’s past meetings were exploited to suggest he had set in motion an irreversible process that would culminate in changing Catholic teaching on sexuality. Even the pope’s unwillingness to change Catholic teaching on homosexuality has been presented as merely a question of timing, because, as Fr. James Martin “there are some places in the Church that aren’t ready for omissions by Pope Francis created ambiguity He failed to correct misrepresentations of his conversations even when these misrepresentations were used to undermine Church teaching Despite repeated public meetings with transgender-identifying persons including a meeting with the co-director of a U.S he has never publicly acknowledged the grievous medical harm such gender clinicians have inflicted on vulnerable young people Where were the photo ops with de-transitioners who lost their breasts or their fertility Where was the warm embrace for mothers and fathers whose children are still caught in the grips of gender madness He also failed to publicly encourage same-sex-attracted Catholics committed to chastity These omissions left these faithful Catholics already suffering for their fidelity to the truth bereft of the Holy Father’s comfort and support seeming to permit such interventions when the person suffers “severe” gender dysphoria or “suicidality.” In a matter of months the DDF under Francis moved from acknowledging the intrinsic evil of repudiating God’s gift of sexual identity to permitting an evil (“sex change interventions,” “gender transition”) justified by misguided “compassion.” But authentic compassion is always aligned with the truth Gender ideology leads vulnerable persons toward moral We are indeed in an anthropological revolution one that subverts the truth and leads persons away from Jesus and toward harm Does the Church have the will to confront this revolution Do the cardinal-electors have the will to select a pope who will uphold the truth about God and the truth about us As the cardinals take stock of the state of the Church today Our next pope should convey the Church’s beautiful teaching about the human person and human sexuality emphasizing that these foundational teachings provide the stability necessary for human flourishing The pope must be willing to acknowledge the brutality and futility of “gender transition,” the disfiguring interventions that alter the body’s appearance and function in a vain attempt to reject one’s sex This moment requires realism; the stakes are high The core of “transgender” identification is the rejection of the givenness of creation (“Male and female He created them.”) There can be no compromise Pastoral care must be grounded in the truth of our given identities Pastoral care also must recognize that affirming false identity beliefs leads to suffering including the collateral damage to others who are compelled to affirm the lies of gender ideology The next pope can take concrete steps to communicate the truth about the human person effectively and persuasively use language that reflects reality and affirms the truth Avoid the language of gender ideology—ideological terms like “transwoman” or “cisgender”—and the misuse of language Terms such as “transgender people” or “LGBTQ people,” intended to be inclusive instead validate an erroneous anthropology that defines people by sexual desire or felt “identity,” and suggests that a different set of moral teachings apply The Church must communicate the truth that human beings are much more than their desires A desire that is disordered (meaning not ordered toward the good) does not make a person disordered But unless we can acknowledge that some desires are not ordered toward God we cannot take action to order our lives toward God This counter-cultural message requires a pope who is courageous The Church must speak with authority on this issue perhaps confronting this anthropological revolution with an encyclical on gender ideology and others the courage to share the Church’s teaching confident that Catholic teaching illuminates the way to happiness “When people ask the Church the questions raised by their consciences when the faithful in the Church turn to their Bishops and Pastors the Church’s reply contains the voice of Jesus Christ the voice of the truth about good and evil In the words spoken by the Church there resounds Theresa Farnan is a fellow with the Ethics and Public Policy Center; Mary Hasson is an EPPC senior fellow. Together they lead the Center’s Person and Identity Project.  which established norms regarding allegations of sexual misconduct against bishops These issues point to problems at the heart of the Francis pontificate that must be addressed by the cardinals whose assembly in Rome now has the governance and spiritual well-being of the universal Church in its hands While the bewildering activity around those clergy prominently accused of and found to have committed sexual misconduct is a source of scandal and diminished credibility the cardinal-electors must consider the massive financial crisis facing the Holy See the unresolved economic reform of its institutions and the improvised rule by personal fiat that characterized much of the last pontificate A good dissertation for a budding canonist would be the evolution of the motu proprio as a governance tool from 2013 to 2025 All these matters point to a pontificate that depended deeply on the personal will of the pope more than an orderly and prudent exercise of papal authority There are historical moments when the Church needs to adjust how she governs and expresses herself One needs to look no further than the most recent developments in the Becciu affair to see that But even more important than issues facing the Church’s governance is the confusion over what precisely the Church believes The synodal process undertaken over the past decade did It offered a forum to a new range of voices and showed that it was possible for local churches to engage in a dynamic conversation with the universal Church while the synodal process seemed to promise open discussion of questions that had been settled those same questions were silenced by papal mandate This leads to a further question: Should they have been disinterred and re-opened in the first place Then there were the Amoris wars, an impulsive edit of the Church’s teaching on capital punishment, the continued struggle between liturgical camps, and the Fiducia Supplicans debacle core Church doctrines inevitably come under pressure Pope Francis’s great witness of service to the poor needs to continue in the next pontificate His emphasis on the importance of discernment was a powerful example of the spiritual resources found within the Christian tradition His focus on the care of creation was a welcome advance in the line of Catholic social teaching while not as prolonged as John Paul II’s final decline Francis’s willingness to remain in the public eye as his health failed was a valuable reminder of our duty to the sick and dying As the current electors consider their task they might find wisdom in the insights of St Augustine as he reflected on his own ministry as a bishop:  the weak supported; the gospel’s opponents need to be refuted its insidious enemies guarded against; the unlearned need to be taught the argumentative checked; the proud must be put in their place those engaged in quarrels reconciled; the needy have to be helped the bad to be tolerated; all must be loved Augustine’s brief exposition of the bishop’s responsibilities offers a way to think about the next bishop of Rome with appropriate candor The Roman pontiff is called to be a guarantor of Catholic unity Fulfilling that responsibility is essential to the life of the Church The source of credibility for the next Roman pontiff can be found in another passage from that same sermon of Augustine: “For you I am a bishop The first is the name of an office undertaken the second a name of grace; that one means danger including the one responsible for the see of Rome credibility rises and falls on the proclamation of Jesus Christ and the perennial truths of the Christian tradition William Clare is a religious priest writing from the United States If you want to get a snapshot of what the central issue of the coming conclave ought to be, look no further than the recent article by Fr Bryan Massingale in the Jesuit journal America Entitled “Pope Francis and the future of Catholic moral theology,” it is riddled with all of the usual buzzwords and dog whistles favored by Catholic progressives Terms and phrases like “radical inclusion,” and “complex concrete circumstances,” are tossed around as if they are new ideas when in point of fact their intellectual pedigree is grounded in the same stale bromides of the proportionalist moral lexicon that goes back at least to the sixties they are new ideas and part of the revolutionary and “creative” repositioning of moral theology in the thought of Pope Francis he states that the new ideas are thoroughly traditional since they harken us back to the original message of Christ of a radical love of our neighbor is the question begging assumption that “radical love of neighbor” means moving away from a morality of judgmentalism and binding By contrast he portrays the new approach of Pope Francis as focusing on “persons” in all of their unique circumstances rather than “doctrines” that fail to approach persons in a loving manner since they impose upon the fluid and complex situation of real people an overlay of ecclesial rules that are unbending He refers to Pope Francis in this line of thinking as standing in contrast to his immediate predecessors who insisted upon the importance of binding universal moral norms and who created a climate of repressive fear where theologians such as himself felt constrained by an overweening authority that demanded strict obedience This latter claim is the usual boilerplate nonsense of the left that the previous papacies imposed upon the Church a stifling repression of free academic discourse But this is risible to anyone who was involved in the Catholic academic guild under those pontificates since our “lived experience” in our “complex circumstances” was the tyranny of Catholic liberals who continued to dominate the landscape of Catholic theology departments And when one attended theological conferences such as the annual meeting of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA) what one encountered was the near hegemony of liberal voices that evinced no fear of ecclesial reprisal for their dissenting views But his censure did not stop the academic guild from lavishing him with prizes and honors and he was portrayed as a kind of martyr to academic freedom Ignored by Massingale in his attempts at a revisionist narrative of rampant oppression is that cases like Haight’s were the exception and not the rule He also conveniently ignores the fact that Pope Francis engaged in his own form of censorious “oppression” when he summarily dismissed without any academic due process most of the very distinguished faculty at the John Paul Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Rome The only explanation given for this purging of theologians faithful to the teachings of John Paul was a simple vague statement about wanting to take the Institute in a “new direction.” Pope Francis made a similar move in his “reform” of the Pontifical Academy for Life Massingale’s hagiographic elevation of Francis is therefore grounded in a false narrative that contrasts the “open-minded” approach of Francis to that of his closed-minded and authoritarian predecessors It is a cartoonish caricature but it serves a powerful rhetorical purpose in the cause of electing as the next pope someone who will carry forward the allegedly more inclusive approach of Francis But Francis was not the champion of total parrhesia and inclusion that this narrative demands Despite the late pope’s constant refrain of “Todos Todos!” it was very clear that for his pontificate the “Todos” did not include traditionalist voices who were summarily kicked to the curb by Traditionis Custodes and its draconian restrictions on liturgical pluralism In this case “parrhesia” seems to mean open-ended freedom to discuss anything so long as those discussions are grounded in more liberal presumptions Traditionalist voices were excluded as we can see as well in the Synod on Synodality where Fr James Martin and his “Outreach” ministry were valorized while the leaders of Courage International were summarily ignored and thus sent to the peripheries Laced throughout the article are constant references to the changed approach to “LGBTQ persons” and to needed changes in Catholic sexual morality in general As is so typical of articles like this one the goal of changing Church teaching on sexual morality seems to be the deeper agenda in play the claim that all he wants is a more open discussion on these matters needs to be placed in historical context Those of us old enough to have lived through the post–Vatican II turmoil know well what such calls for “dialogue” really mean “let’s chat this to death in order to create the illusion that these doctrines are still up for grabs This bait-and-switch strategy is therefore not a new one and what is at stake in the next conclave is whether the assembled cardinals will take the bait and the muddying of the Church’s moral teachings and the repudiation by way of caricature of Veritatis Splendor will continue What is at stake in this return of the strong proportionalist gods is nothing short of the binding nature of the moral commandments of Scripture The Bible’s entire moral pedagogy is structured around the concept that there is a “divine law” that God has given to us as a gift and not a burden the not-so-subtle recasting of this moral pedagogy as burdensome requires a further distortion in the various mischaracterizations of the moral message of Christ as reductive to a vague set of ideas centered on inclusion But these revisionist recastings of Christ are deeply anachronistic They ignore his Judaic moral context—a context that Jesus not only accepted but made even more radical in its binding nature—and they turn Jesus into a first-century champion of rainbow liberation from that awful “law.”  All of this must be resisted in the coming conclave The essence of biblical morality is at stake and one can only hope that the assembled cardinals will see this Larry Chapp, a retired professor of theology at De Sales University in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is the host of the Gaudium et Spes 22 podcast and the co-founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm in Harveys Lake One year subscription including unlimited web access to the current issue and the online issue archives “I was surprised to see some of the photos of me in the press,” said Sinner referring to images that sparked speculation about his personal life it made me realize that I'm someone important on and off the court we see it a bit with the little things right?” Sinner’s measured but firm response was a clear effort to shift the focus back to his game as he gears up for the tournament on home soil The photos in question prompted buzz across social media and sports media outlets raising questions about the rising star’s private life — a subject he rarely comments on the pair apparently split at the end of last year and have not been seen together since and have not followed each other on the social media platforms as well Australia; Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with the Australian Open title during the prize presentation of the men's single at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images Known for his laser-focused dedication to tennis Sinner emphasized his desire to remain focused on his upcoming matches Despite the criticism faced by Sinner over his doping ban by WADA he received a hero's welcome at the Rome open from his fans all eyes will be on Sinner’s performance — not his personal life And if his calm dismissal of the gossip is any indication he’s more than ready to let his racquet do the talking your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world will be locked inside the Sistine Chapel as the conclave - the storied process to elect a new pope - begins Rome and the Vatican City have seen a surge of visitors following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April Mourners queued long into the night outside St Peter's Basilica to catch a glimpse of the pontiff lying in state and thousands then lined the streets for his funeral procession Pope Francis' death also triggered a series of religious procedures to prepare for his successor and the world's eyes are now trained on a chimney which will proclaim the election outcome Tourists who have booked to visit Rome in the coming days will experience the city during a rare historical moment but they should also prepare for heavy crowds and closed attractions Here’s what to know about travel disruptions in Rome if you’re planning a trip to witness some of the religious traditions Travellers to Rome in the next few weeks should still expect closures visitor restrictions and crowds at some of the city’s main attractions Rome’s key tourist sites within the Vatican - the heart of the Catholic Church - are now absorbed by mourning and reelection procedures The conclave a strictly confidential gathering of cardinals closed inside the Sistine Chapel the room adorned by Michelangelo’s frescoed tour de force has now closed and will remain so for the entire duration of the process It will likely open again a couple of days after the conclave ends as it has done after the death of previous Popes it is possible the Sistine Chapel will not reopen before mid-May The chapel is accessed through the Vatican Museums. These will remain open to visitors with all other parts accessible according to tour operator Through Eternity Tours Tours of the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis and the Vatican Gardens are suspended for security reasons as the cardinals are bused back and forth from the chapel to their accommodation through the grounds The Vatican Museums states that all tickets If you have purchased tickets through a third-party operator you should check their website or contact them about refunds or date changes While it may be disappointing to forgo seeing the Sistine Chapel a visit in this period can also be a once-in-a-lifetime experience (the Italian expression for ‘once in a blue moon’ is ‘every time a pope dies’) In fact, media crews and thousands of visitors will be packed into St Peter's Square and the surrounding area from tomorrow They'll be hoping to glimpse the symbolic smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney and the first appearance of the new pope at the loggia (balcony) of St Peter's Basilica to deliver the Urbi et Orbi blessing The colour of the smoke indicates the outcome of voting rounds - black for inconclusive white for the successful election of a new pope According to the National Catholic Reporter you can see the smoke from the chapel twice daily - around noon after the first two ballots and again at 7 pm after the last round of voting St Peter's Square will likely be very difficult to access during the process, but religious artefact vendor Mondo Cattolico has shared several other locations to witness the historic moment ideal for those arriving later or seeking a wide perspective on the gathering offers a less crowded experience while still maintaining a full view of the basilica Ponte Sant'Angelo and the terrace of Castel Sant’Angelo give a panoramic view of the Vatican skyline and the rising smoke The vendor also suggests seeking out nearby rooftop terraces of hotels and cafes that provide unique angles on the conclave’s defining moment Crowds and queues around the Vatican are still heavy especially given the celebrations for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year are already drawing an increased number of visitors Pope Francis has now been buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore but those wanting to visit St Peter's Basilica should still expect long wait times and heightened security The dress code for visiting the sacred site is being strictly enforced This includes having shoulders and knees covered and avoiding wearing short skirts Tourists should also expect crowds at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore a majestic UNESCO-designated sanctuary containing a piece of the Holy Crib and a venerated icon of the Virgin Mary as the protector of the Roman people With visitors from around the world descending on Rome If you are planning a short-notice trip to participate in some of the events “We’ll definitely see an increase in flight prices to Rome and to Italy over the next few weeks, as the faithful flock to pay their respects and potentially to see the announcement of the new Pope,” Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, told Australian site news.com.au. Hotel prices in Rome are also likely to rise as demand increases, says Tim Hentschel, the co-founder and CEO of travel company HotelPlanner, while some shops and restaurants may be closed as a sign of respect.   Jump to Next SlideTeenagers in Rome as part of 'Jubilee of Adolescents' maneuver through the crowd [Nils Adler/Al Jazeera]By Nils AdlerPublished On 27 Apr 202527 Apr 2025Rome Italy – About 250,000 mourners in Vatican City fell into hushed silence on Saturday morning as the funeral for Pope Francis began The church choir echoed through loudspeakers across the city-state Others clasped their hands in silent prayer the pope’s coffin was brought out of St Peter’s Basilica turned to the large screens dotted around St Peter’s Square stewards and military personnel who had been directing crowds through cordoned-off streets since dawn finally relaxed as the gentle sound of a prayer song softened the tense morning into a moment of shared peace As the readings began in several languages, several groups of teenagers who had come to Rome as part of the Jubilee of Adolescents, a three-day event during the Jubilee a major Catholic event held every 25 years sat down on the cobblestones of Via della Conciliazione Others moved towards the fringes of the street as they sought shade from the warm midday sun Pauline Mille, a French doctoral student who had arrived early in the morning with her parents, said it was a moving ceremony and it was “nice to hear people singing in harmony and spending time together” as they celebrated the pope’s legacy Lebanese American Elie Dib travelled to Rome with his wife and young son to attend the canonisation of Carlo Acutis which was postponed due to Francis’s death on Monday Dib told Al Jazeera he was “blessed to be part of the prayer and the funeral service today to pray for his soul” and was impressed to see people of many different nationalities speaking “in one voice of love and prayer” who was sitting on his father’s shoulders draped in a Lebanese flag said that although he was sad the pope had died he was “still happy that he is going to heaven” a group of teenagers from Mexico with their hands placed on each other’s shoulders knelt with their heads bowed the crowds filtered out of the Vatican as stewards handed out free water to the elderly The popemobile carrying Francis’s coffin drove out of the city-state and through the streets of Rome 12 reigning monarchs and other VIP guests who had been seated in a section next to St Peter’s Basilica were ushered out of private exits in a series of motorcades tens of thousands of mourners began the roughly one-hour journey by foot to the pope’s final resting place returned to Italy for the now postponed canonisation of Carlo a Londoner himself born to Italian parents who died of leukaemia at the age of 15 Maffei said he had found Francis’s funeral “very touching” and full of simple words and messages of love that still “carried great weight” who didn’t overcomplicate his messages during communication with people adding that it pleased him that world leaders such as United States President Donald Trump had to listen to these messages of peace Two priests from Benin who attended the funeral with clergy from South Africa said that although they felt sad during the service they were also filled with hope and were grateful for the legacy Francis has left behind As they watched the pope’s coffin being driven through Rome on a large TV screen positioned near the banks of the Tiber they said Francis had preached a message of peace and inclusion and had welcomed migrants and refugees with an “open heart” Maffei said he believed Francis would have enjoyed seeing so many people walking through Rome and tackling the uphill stretch by Largo Magnanapoli It is a time for reflection and meditation and that’s just what he would have wanted,” Maffei said who visited it more than 100 times over the course of his 12-year papacy the crowds began to thin as no public ceremony or special event had been organised for his burial On Sunday, the pontiff’s tomb was opened to the public inscribed with simply one name – Franciscus his name in Latin – reflects Francis’s request in his will to be buried “in the ground Peter Edwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council Macquarie University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU View all partners Tariffs are back in the headlines this week with United States President Donald Trump introducing sweeping new tariffs of at least 10% on a vast range of goods imported to the US Analysts have expressed shock and worry, warning the move could lead to inflation and possibly even recession for the US As someone who’s spent years researching the economy of Ancient Rome and for some of the reasons that governments claim to be using them today As the Roman Empire expanded and became richer its wealthy citizens demanded increasing amounts of luxury items that growers in southern Arabia worked out how to harvest it twice a year Pepper has been found on archaeological sites as far north as Roman Britain Around 70 CE the Roman writer Pliny – who later died in the eruption that buried Pompeii – complained that 100 million sesterces (a type of coin) drained from the empire every year due to luxury imports. About 50 million sesterces a year, he reckoned the cost of these imports was even larger than Pliny thought An Egyptian document, known as the Muziris Papyrus from about the same time Pliny wrote shows one boat load of imports from India was valued at 7 million sesterces Hundreds of boats laden with luxuries sailed from India to Egypt every year At Palmyra (an ancient city in what’s now Syria) in the second century CE, an inscription shows 90 million sesterces in goods were imported in just one month And in the first century BCE, Roman leader Julius Caesar gave his lover, Servilia (mother to his murderer Marcus Brutus), an imported black pearl worth 6 million sesterces It’s often described as one of the most valuable pearls of all time So while there was a healthy level of trade in the other direction – with the Romans exporting plenty of metal wares glass vessels and wine – demand for luxury imports was very high The Roman government charged a tariff of 25% (known as the tetarte) on imported goods The purpose of the tetarte was to raise revenue rather than protect local industry These imports mostly could not be sourced in the Roman Empire Many of them were in raw form and used in manufacturing items within the empire Pearls and gemstones were used to manufacture jewellery With the volume and value of eastern imports at such high levels in imperial Rome One recent estimate suggests they could fund around one-third of the empire’s military budget Today, economic experts are warning Trump’s new tariffs – which he sees as a way to raise revenue and promote US-made goods – could end up hurting both the US and the broader global economy Today’s global economy has been deliberately engineered while the global economy of antiquity was not But warnings of the inflationary effects of tariffs are also echoed in ancient Rome too Pliny, for example, complained about the impact of tariffs on the street price of incense and pepper central banks fight inflation with higher interest rates but this leads to reduced economic activity and Reduced tax collection could cancel out increased tariff revenue but we do know the emperors took inflation seriously because of its devastating impact on soldiers’ pay Ancient traders soon became skilled at finding their way around paying tariffs to Roman authorities The empire’s borders were so long traders could sometimes avoid tariff check points This helped strengthen black markets, which the Roman administration was still trying to deal with in the third century, when its economy hit the skids and inflation soared This era became known as the Crisis of the Third Century I don’t subscribe to the view that you can draw a direct line between Rome’s high tariffs and the decline of the Roman Empire but it’s certainly true that this inflation that tore through third century Rome weakened it considerably black markets loom as a potential challenge for the Trump administration too given the length of its borders and the large volume of imports But the greatest danger of the new US tariffs is the resentment they will cause especially among close allies such as Australia Rome’s tariffs were not directed at nations and were not tools of diplomatic revenge Hundreds of cardinals are gathering in Rome The secret ballot for a successor hasn’t begun talk about who will next lead the 2,000-year-old church is already underway and chief among their duties – electing the 267th head of the church Yet, the drama of papal selection has already begun. The days before the conclave May 7 at the Vatican are not idle and an unspoken selection process is already underway amid whispers in corridors and cafes throughout Rome and other cities in Italy “This is very much the crucial period, in fact, simply because in any election you need momentum,” Robert Harris, the author of the novel behind the blockbuster film "Conclave," told USA TODAY “I don't know how you can do that without being pretty well-known and the best period to become well-known is now.” There's a lot happening right now in terms of papal politics and posturing The week ahead of the conclave is just as important as the conclave itself Selection of the next pope will happen at the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals vote bound by an oath of secrecy under the watchful eyes of Michelangelo’s Last Judgment. The mystery of what happens behind the locked doors has inspired books, podcasts and the "Conclave" film nominated for best picture at the most recent Academy Awards At private meals and over aperitifs throughout Rome and at formal gatherings of cardinals church leaders are finding who they trust to take over The process is not all that unlike the wheeling and dealing made famous in the writings of 15th century diplomat and philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli another noted centerpiece of Italian history “A lot of very important groundwork is done at this point because the rules are more relaxed around talking,” said Harris who came to writing thriller novels from a career as a political journalist “One mustn't think of this like an election where someone is going around saying ‘Vote for me’; that would be the kiss of death ‘I think you should come and see Cardinal X or Y.’”  Papal posturing in RomeOver 130 cardinals will vote in the conclave Most come from Europe but they also represent 20 African nations as well as Asian nations including Iraq and the days leading up to the conclave are when they become acquainted The 117 non-voting cardinals will also make the most of the period They may not be able to vote for the next pope but they still hold a tremendous amount of sway and pre-conclave days are their only chance to voice what they think the church needs Much of the pre-conclave debate happens at formal gatherings of cardinals called general congregations Church leaders rarely divulge specifics of the meetings but the story of Francis’ own election goes back to a speech he gave at an assembly during the pre-conclave period in 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI stepped down Experts on goings-on at the Vatican say there are already signs of clear potential successors, seen in Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo hinting the vote won’t take long, according to John L. Allen Jr., editor of Crux “I was struck that Porras, the cardinal from Venezuela, told reporters after he came out of the general congregation that he thinks this conclave is going to be over in two days,” Allen “That would suggest a consensus is beginning to form but he at least gave the impression that there’s a kind of agreement starting to take shape.” Cardinals have less than a week before they will be sequestered at the Sistine Chapel and voting begins Cardinals raise the question of who will make a good pope more directly at private lunches dinners and over drinks throughout the Italian capital Talk of who could be the next pope goes on well beyond the walls of Vatican City an American correspondent based in Rome for the past 30 years “These are also opportunities to grind the political sausage and in those situations the conversation is also very direct ‘What do you think of so and so,’” said Allen Restaurants that cardinals prefer, Allen said, include L'Eau Vive a simple but elegant French restaurant across the River Tiber from the Vatican Cardinals like it for the atmosphere as much as the poulet The restaurant is run by women who are consecrated members of the Les Travailleuses Missionnaires de l'Immaculée Diners eat in view of a portrait of the group’s inspiration: St. Thérèse of Lisieux. And at 10 p.m. the staff takes a break in service to sing the Salve Regina a Gregorian chant praising Mary that dates back to at least the 1200s Another destination for the small groups of cardinals is the Borgo neighborhood a warren of medieval alleys filled with classic Italian eateries that lies in the shadow of Hadrian’s Mausoleum The rise of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger – later Pope Benedict XVI – is traced back to a bloc of cardinals that formed over plates of pasta and bottles of wine at Al Passetto di Borgo many cardinals prefer to dine “out of the spotlight,” Allen said They gather at apartments of colleagues based in Rome or at the headquarters of religious orders cardinals so far are signaling they want a pope who can take up Francis’ mantle of leading by compassionate positive example but will also appease conservative elements in the church by clarifying doctrinal matters Francis left murky including the church’s stance on LGBTQ+ matters “They want someone who can inspire people and attract them to the faith especially in the West and above all in Europe where the church is in trouble to be frank – they want a pope who can light a fire,” Allen said But also someone “who can hold his own on the world stage with the Donald Trumps because the world is going through an uncertain time where the old pillars of the world order seem to be falling apart.” What it takes to be ‘papabile’Congregations of cardinals where potentially all 252 cardinals assemble to discuss pressing church matters are the most public part of the pre-conclave process General congregations traditionally serve the function of preparing for the pope’s funeral and the days of mourning for the deceased a historian and host of a podcast specializing on papal history cardinals at the general congregations often turn their attention to the pressing question of who will become the next pope They address the question indirectly through speeches on what the church needs and what makes a cardinal “papabile,” or fit to be pope, according to the host of the Pontifacts podcast The name of the show is a play on the traditional name of the pope “This is where we see the jockeying,” said Jensen “And because we have a lot of very prominent cardinals over 80 There are 117 non-voting cardinals, according to the Vatican Cardinals have held at least seven general congregations so far Official news from the Vatican about the assemblies lands like a dull sermon A total of 183 cardinals attended the assembly on April 29, according to the Vatican’s official news outlet 124 were voting cardinals and around 20 gave speeches The Vatican summarized them as addressing “themes related to the Church and the challenges it faces offering reflections shaped by the perspectives of their continents and regions of origin as well as the Church’s possible responses.” Jensen said Vaticanologists watch for what cardinals do outside the formal gatherings for a sense of what’s going on in private, noting Cardinal Gerhard Müller, a conservative from Germany, warned that the church could split if an orthodox successor isn’t chosen “It’s a question of do we want to stick with Francis or break towards traditionalism,” Jensen said “The fact that Müller felt the need to come out and say that tells me the discussion is more Francis oriented.” Pope Francis’ pre-conclave revealGeneral congregations can also be a chance for a front-runner to emerge like Francis did in 2013 At an assembly then, Francis gave a compelling four-minute speech on the need for the church to take up its mission again of exercising compassion for people at the margins of society Church leaders saw then that the man they could trust was Jorge Mario Bergoglio then the archbishop of Buenos Aires in Argentina “That’s where the cardinal electors said, hmmm, this is probably going to be a good candidate,” according to Father Aris Sison a spokesperson of the Diocese of Cubao in the Philippines “We need a church that is going to focus outside itself.” Francis’ speech later became seen as a blueprint for his approach to leading the church. In it, he notably used the term “peripheries,” referring to expanding the church outreach to downtrodden people eventually earning him the epithet the “pope of the peripheries.” Jockeying under a watchful EyeAmid widespread speculation over who will be the next pope theologians say the faithful look at pre-conclave jockeying as a chance for the divine to intervene in human matters A new pope “doesn't fall like manna from heaven,” according to Jennifer Newsome Martin, a theologian at the University of Notre Dame. “There’s a very real process of arguing for positions. It’s a human process that respects the rationality and thinking of cardinals around what the church needs at this moment.” The longtime Catholic university professor highlighted the church’s longevity as an example of jockeying being guided by a higher power. “From a theological point of view and that of a practicing Catholic, the Catholic Church is obviously a flawed institution insofar as it’s filled with human beings,” she said. “But also the truth of the matter is that it’s endured for so many years, so there’s something in the apostolic process that makes it durable and not just the object of contingent forces.” She added: “These are holy men who are praying and invested in the outcome, and it’s hard to untangle the human from divine acts.” (This story has been updated to correct a misspelling/typo and replace a missing word.) Illustration by Akshita Chandra / The Atlantic. Source: Getty.April 16, 2025 ShareSave Listen-1.0x+0:007:25Produced by ElevenLabs and News Over Audio (Noa) using AI narration roughly the same length of time between the end of World War II and now the Roman Republic was transformed into a dictatorship If you had told a Roman senator at the beginning of the first century B.C.E that his grandchildren would willingly hand over governance to a monarch the Roman Republic was founded on the rejection of a king with freedom of speech and rights to legal recourse for its citizens The Roman Republic lasted nearly 500 years about twice as long as Americans have had theirs most Americans can hardly imagine that their system of self-government might break and be replaced by an imperial dynasty That is why considering what undid the Roman Republic is useful today—if we can learn from the Romans’ mistakes He took control of the government gradually but completely with the support of those wealthy aristocrats who valued fortune above principle and with the complaisance of a population exhausted by conflict and disillusioned by a system that favored the rich and connected Augustus consolidated his power with the institutional blessing of the Senate the Senate let Augustus bend rules and push boundaries It allowed him to accumulate domestic powers and bring unqualified members of his family into government The Senate stood by while Augustus removed enemies from his path and supported him when he put a self-serving spin on recent actions Even when elections were held under Augustus The senators never called him emperor in his own day Augustus was allowed to pretend he was part of the republican system even as he destroyed it Those who praised Augustus and those who failed to fight back They may have believed they were securing their own positions by doing so but their acquiescence to Augustus meant the practical end of their power Rome’s senators legitimately feared death if they broke with him; Augustus certainly had a lot of people killed Our American senators apparently have only primaries to fear—yet they and their congressional colleagues have shown little inclination to rein in their leader or assert their own constitutional powers Read: The man who sacked Rome An ambitious and ruthless political operator such as Augustus provides opponents with only so many chances to stop him The Framers of our Constitution drew on ancient Greek and Roman history when they established our republic and sought to protect it from the inevitable threat of dictatorship When they discussed ways to avoid despotism Constitution look very much like those that were in place in Rome before Augustus Bannon helped found a “gladiator school” at a former monastery near Rome where students would be trained in a curriculum designed to save Western civilization Like the wealthy elites of ancient Rome who aligned themselves with a dictator so that they could increase their fortunes the richest and most influential men in America seem willing to let our republic fall apart as long as they believe that its demise is in their interest That’s the thing about capricious one-man rule—no one can be sure they won’t get on the bad side of the emperor and suffer as a result Augustus—and every Roman emperor who followed—was a brutal dictator Some might argue that the empire that rose from the ashes of the republic brought peace and stability to the world for centuries to come The Romans were nearly always at war; their celebrated expansion was achieved by military subjugation of foreign lands and harsh repression of those they conquered Augustus alone ordered the extrajudicial killing of hundreds The supposedly stable dynasty he founded gave Rome Caligula and Nero; the latter’s death was followed by a bloody civil war and not until a century after Augustus did the Senate finally reassert itself—by appointing another emperor and initiating a new line of succession Some emperors made sure the roads were safe and the water clean Marcus Aurelius—were nonetheless dictators the empire could be a terrifying and unpredictable place in which a single man held absolute may endure as a great power for centuries to come The ultimate lesson of the Roman Republic’s fate is that once you’ve allowed one man to rule as a monarch When Augustus died in his bed at a ripe old age This seems an honor that even the most sycophantic U.S senators would be unlikely to suggest for our president But as they cede ever more of their power to him our own era of Roman-style imperial rule may be drawing closer than we think gives a girl her first Communion during Mass at the Church of St ROME (CNS) -- As Catholics in Rome await the election of their new bishop some of them celebrated Sunday Mass at their parishes with the cardinals who will enter a conclave May 7 they are assigned a "titular" parish in Rome the clergy of the diocese elected the pope Several cardinals chose to celebrate Mass at their titular churches May 4 the last Sunday before they enter the Sistine Chapel to begin voting for a new pope Mary of the Graces Church where it was first Communion Sunday There were prayers for the late Pope Francis but the focus was solidly on the children.  The cardinal and his priest secretary arrived at the parish by subway Wearing a clerical suit with his pectoral cross tucked in his pocket journalists did know who he was and asked him how the pre-conclave meetings were going "There is a growing consensus about the qualities needed for the next Holy Father he was predicting a fairly short conclave "because the majority of cardinals are diocesan bishops and we need to get back." Cardinal Tobin said there is a desire "to have continuity" with the papacy of Pope Francis welcomed Cardinal Tobin "home" to his Rome parish you and your brother cardinals will elect the new bishop of Rome And we pray for you and with you that you will choose a pastor with the heart of Jesus." Cardinal Tobin focused mainly on his "little brothers and sisters" who were about to receive Communion for the first time and he prayed that their encounter with the risen Lord you know everything; you know that I love you." Cardinal Tobin told the children that he was the eldest of 13 children and every day after school he and his friends would be playing ball in the street mom would come to the door with good news: 'Dinner's ready.'"  "not only because we were hungry," but thinking about it more deeply it also meant that it was time to gather around the table as a family "It was a big table with a lot of people around it and a lot of noise Jesus gathered his disciples and gathers believers today around a table "not only to nourish us but to show us that God wants to be with us God wants us to leave behind despair and discover the joy of being a family." Father Fois asked parishioners to join a special recitation of the rosary and Mass at noon May 8 During the services the day after the conclave begins "We will pray in thanksgiving for the new pope or pray that they will give us a good bishop of Rome soon."  A Rome tailor is hoping the new pope will appear on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica wearing a cassock he sewed himself Photographer and author Traer Scott has always loved animals. Here's how she fell in love with making photos of them, too Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. From top left and clockwise: boxes of rosaries with pictures of Pope Pius X, Pope Francis, John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A Pope Francis snowball souvenir in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A bottle opener, nail clipper, and key chain with a picture of Pope Francis in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A bubble-wrapped Pope Francis souvenir in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) From left to right: religious memorabilia depicting Pope John XXIII, John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A souvenir coin depicting Pope Francis in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A religious souvenir depicting Pope Paul VI in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A Pope Francis-themed souvenir watch in Rome, Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A pack of pencils with the image of Pope Francis in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A Pope Francis-themed souvenir in Rome, Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A religious souvenir depicting a Pope in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A scale car of the popemobile in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) A religious souvenir depicting Pope Francis in Rome, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) There are books, booklets and prayer cards of the last three popes and others dating back to the mid-20th century. Their images also appear in snow globes, bobblehead dolls and, in Francis’ case, even in nail clippers, bottle openers and key chains. With the choice of the next leader of the 1.4-billion-strong Catholic church now hanging in the balance, it’s no wonder that even solemn moments like the funeral are becoming collectible experiences. And on the arms of many hung shopping bags with small plastic rosaries, papal pendants and even a mini “popemobile” reproduction. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. These affordable hotels in Rome will save you money Affordable is a relative term, especially when it comes to things like houses, cars… and hotel rooms. What’s affordable for one traveller’s budget may be luxury priced for another and what’s affordable in a big city may be exorbitant in a small town More and more hotels, in Rome and everywhere, participate in dynamic pricing, where algorithms monitor citywide occupancy data and competitors’ rates, and prices adjust accordingly. In the busiest months and the same hotel room that sells for £99 in the off-season may sell for £350 or more in peak periods But that brings us back to relativity. Because a £350 hotel room is a bargain when others in town are selling for £800 and up, right? In Rome, expect to pay more for locations close to city centre attractions like the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps and for perks like a generous breakfast buffet Here, are the Rome hotels we consider to be true bargains – at least most of the year. They offer great locations and reliable comforts, safety and friendly service, so it’s no surprise that many also appear on our pick of best hotels in Rome they aim higher than their star rating might imply (or require) and ensure that “affordability” in Rome doesn’t have to mean forgoing creature comforts While high season prices at this Art Deco era beauty can exceed £350 the average is about half that – and that’s a great price for what you get here Recently renovated rooms and suites that are large by European standards a generous buffet breakfast included in the rate The location is as convenient as it gets to Rome’s Termini train station (which is also a bus and Metro hub) and about a 20-minute walk from the Colosseum The 10th-floor restaurant offers sweeping views of Rome Read more: The best hotels in Rome for nights in historic palaces and lavish city hideaways Walk into Damaso Hotel looking for the budget property you booked and you might think you’re in the wrong place lobby that could easily pass for that of a boutique design hotel Adjacent is a lofty breakfast room that doubles as an evening cocktail bar with carefully planned rooms that make the most of modest square footage Location is as central as it gets – just off Corso Vittorio Emanuele II from where a bus or tram or setting off on foot will get you anywhere you want to go in Rome prices do climb quite a bit in high season Read more: Best luxury hotels in Rome for stylish suites and stunning rooftop views If the high number of repeat guests is any indication Lancelot is one of the most beloved hotels in Rome Warmth and hospitality are effusive here at this long-standing three-star near the Colosseum delivered by staff who’ve been at the hotel for years and demonstrate a real pride of place but of decent dimensions; most are sunny thanks to large windows The building dates to 1938 and retains its vintage feel which are popular gathering places for meeting other travellers Sitting just around the corner from the Pantheon this friendly three-star is an especially good pick for first timers to Rome who want to make the most of their visit with proximity to the major sights which is to provide reliable comfort at an affordable price in a prime location so this is a good one for families to keep in mind The breakfast buffet is basic but serviceable makes a nice place to cool off with a drink after a day of sightseeing Read more: Not just the Jubilee – the best events in Rome, from art to archaeology Since its inception more than 25 years ago The Beehive has become a beacon for young and budget-conscious travellers to Rome and those seeking to connect with fellow voyagers The vibe here couldn’t be more down-to-earth and cheerful as conveyed by American owners Linda and Steve and their dedicated staff They offer a mix of hostel dorms (some women-only some mixed) and private rooms with shared or en-suite bathrooms The shady garden is the social hub of The Beehive and there’s also a welcoming kitchen and lounge The location is convenient to Termini and public transportation Read more: Millions of tourists flock to it every year – but how does Rome’s Trevi Fountain work? In a city where luxury hotels are continually putting the squeeze on more affordable options Parlamento holds tight to its moderate prices and plum location It’s set on the top floors of a 17th-century palace and features a rooftop terrace where guests take breakfast or an evening aperitivo with wood floors and neutral colour schemes Families should take note of triple and quad rooms First-timers to Rome can’t do much better than this central spot Read more: Rome is more family-friendly than you think – these are the best things to do on a budget Don’t check into this budget standby expecting a lot of fancy perks well-equipped room with the basics (air-conditioning all at some of the most affordable prices in Rome and there are only 11 of them – so it’s wise to book early here Mimosa is steps from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona but there are also coffee bars aplenty right outside the door including the famous Sant' Eustachio Caffè Read more: The best views in Rome for a breathtaking look at the Italian capital Digital-savvy guests who like their hotel rooms sleek and unfussy will feel right at home at this almost-new entry at the edge of the Jewish Ghetto just across the river from lively Trastevere from the self-check-in kiosks to the in-room tablets for controlling lights You can even choose coloured mood lighting in the bathrooms food and cocktail bar with 24-hour service There’s also a rooftop terrace with some heavenly city views Read more: Beyond the Trevi Fountain – the ancient Roman’s guide to the secret gems hidden among the tourist sites Wander along the narrow Trastevere alley to the former convent this gem of a hotel occupies and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon a well-kept secret Santa Maria offers a lot for a lowish-price: Rooms that are cheerful (if a bit dated) and a generous buffet breakfast included in the rate The real highlight is the former cloister transformed into a lovely garden where breakfast and cocktails can be taken in good weather There’s also a roof terrace and free loaner bikes The largest rooms here can sleep up to six people making this one of our top recommendations for families Read more: This ivy-clad Rome neighbourhood is where the locals come to eat If proximity to the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica is a priority you can’t get much closer than this — the front door of the hotel opens onto St Peter’s Square and Bernini’s grand colonnade breakfast or evening cocktails can be enjoyed on the roof terrace which overlooks the crowds buzzing around the square and you may get blessed by the Pope during his weekly address Read more: Villages, vineyards and volcanic lakes – the delights beyond Rome’s borders {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"cloudM-CitizenM_RIT-338.png","description":"citizenM Rome Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy","caption":"You can keep costs low while still enjoying a brilliant place to stay in Rome You can keep costs low while still enjoying a brilliant place to stay in Rome 0$0.00 on Sunday and responded to journalists asking him for his “prediction” regarding the next pope and for his opinion on the White House’s recent post of an image of President Donald Trump dressed in papal robes Outside of Mass, the cardinal was asked by Italian reporters to comment on the image of Trump I hope he had nothing to do with it,” Dolan said When asked whether he felt offended by the gesture ‘ha fatto una brutta figura‘”—an expression used to describe someone making a poor or awkward impression in public Asked if there will be a “Francis II,” the New York Cardinal replied: “The characteristics that I expect for the next pope are first of all a smile simplicity… we are expressly looking for a Jesus.”  “that we are lucky because we could even make a mix of the last popes but I also think of the intellectual intensity of Benedict XVI – and John Paul II with his courage and his call to follow Jesus I think that if we could combine these great characteristics of them it would be a blessing.” Regarding Trump’s alleged “endorsement” of Dolan as a possible “candidate” in the upcoming conclave the Cardinal dismissed the idea with a smile: “Me I just want to be the Archbishop of New York.” the American Cardinal emphasized the importance of prayer for the Church and its leadership pray for the cardinals in the conclave,” he urged the congregation underscoring the spiritual weight carried by all the faithful during a conclave the Cardinal concluded his brief homily by saying: “I remember Pope Francis and I loved him very much ‘You don’t have to preach too long.’ So that’s enough That humor surfaced again moments later as the collection began Turning to the Italian parish priest and referring to the American community present in the church I hope that the Americans will give something too!” Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms and Conditions VATICAN CITY (CNS) — All but four of the 135 cardinals who are eligible to enter the conclave May 7 to vote for a new pope had arrived in Rome by May 2 Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera have announced they are too ill to take part in the conclave and would not be traveling to Rome told reporters May 2 that he would not name the two others who are missing The Vatican will provide a list May 7 of all the cardinals who enter the conclave Bruni vigorously denied an Italian news report that Cardinal Pietro Parolin the former Vatican secretary of state widely viewed by the press as a leading candidate to become pope had a medical emergency during the general congregation meeting April 30 Vatican firefighters were installing the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel where the cardinals’ ballots will be burned black smoke out of the chimney signals that no one was elected while white smoke means the church has a new pope Between the death of Pope Francis April 21 and the beginning of the conclave the cardinals — both those under the age of 80 and eligible to enter the conclave as well as those who are over 80 and are not eligible — meet most days in a general congregation The meetings allow the cardinals to study the current state of the church and the Vatican to discuss challenges the world poses to believers and to exchange views on the qualities the next pope should have Bruni said more than 180 cardinals — more than 120 of whom are electors — were present for the May 2 general congregation “They spoke of evangelization as the heart of the pontificate of Francis the church as a communion” and its connection to evangelization synodality and “how to communicate the Gospel They also spoke of the witness and suffering of many of the Eastern Catholic churches spoke of how the unity of the church is an essential witness and quoted the biblical passage that says Christians will be recognized by how they love one another The “risk and counter-witness” of clerical sexual abuse and financial scandals was also discussed “There was a reflection also on the hermeneutics of continuity between the pontificates of St Benedict XVI and Pope Francis,” he said  Print Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media Catholic Media Assocation Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association The Associated Church Press Got a tip? 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Click here to find out how Tuesday World Subscribers only Romania enters government crisis amid election World Subscribers only In Zurich the leaf blower war or the anti-'woke' backlash World Subscribers only Germany's Friedrich Merz is embracing pragmatism World Subscribers only Trump-Carney meeting: Canada seeks reconciliation World Subscribers only Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy Opinion Subscribers only 'Russian gas and Europe is an old story that ended badly Economy Subscribers only Europe's steel industry flattened by crisis World Subscribers only How European countries plan to fund defense efforts France Subscribers only Macron announces citizens' convention on school schedules France Subscribers only 21 charged over French prison attacks as investigation narrows in on drug traffickers France Subscribers only French mosque stabber was driven by 'morbid fascination,' prosecutor says France Subscribers only At the trial of Kim Kardashian's robbers Videos World expos: From Paris 1855 to Osaka 2025 Videos How the Trump administration is attacking scientific research in the US Videos Tesla cars set on fire in Las Vegas as calls to boycott Musk's company grow worldwide Videos Can France's nuclear deterrent protect Europe Opinion Subscribers only 'The American dream is dying' Editorial European call to aid foreign researchers is too modest Opinion Subscribers only John Bolton: 'The term chaos is commonly used to describe the top of the Defense Department' Magazine Subscribers only Tracking down the pianos taken from French Jews during the Nazi Occupation Magazine Subscribers only Eve Rodsky the American helping couples balance the mental load Magazine Subscribers only Desecration or more glory Joan Didion's private diaries are revealed Magazine Subscribers only For Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar 2025."> Pixels Subscribers only Golden Owl solution is revealed but leaves players of 31-year hunt disappointed Pixels Subscribers only Secrets of decades-long Golden Owl treasure hunt to be revealed Lifestyle Inside Chanel's French leather workshops Culture Subscribers only The marvelous bronzes of Angkor on display at the Musée Guimet in Paris Some Italian media suspect the French president of maneuvering alongside the Catholic movement Sant'Egidio to push their candidates onto the Chair of Saint Peter By Allan Kaval (Rome (Italy) correspondent) The Vatican's Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin greets French President Emmanuel Macron before Pope Francis's funeral at the Vatican on April 26 SIMONE RISOLUTI / AFP According to the Italian right-wing press during these days marked by preparations for the conclave set to begin on May 7 complex French political maneuvering is interfering with the process of selecting the next pope publications close to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government have speculated on French President Emmanuel Macron's intentions accusing him of implementing a strategy to push his candidates onto the Chair of Saint Peter "Macron even wants to choose the pope," proclaimed a headline published by La Verita on Tuesday, April 29, while another newspaper of the same political leaning, Libero "Macron even crashes the conclave." Meanwhile criticized the French leader's "interventionism worthy of a modern Sun King." Behind these clicky headlines is a combination of the Italian right's deep distrust of France's intentions of Macron's close relations with the Catholic movement Sant'Egidio and of the involvement of this influential community in the tensions within the Italian Church heightened by the current transitional period at the Vatican You have 72.42% of this article left to read Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur En cliquant sur « Continuer à lire ici » et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez mais en les utilisant à des moments différents Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article merci de contacter notre service commercial As cardinals prepare to gather in the Sistine Chapel to select the next pope another assembly is underway just miles away: Nearly 900 leaders of female Catholic religious orders are meeting in Rome These superiors—representing over 450,000 nuns globally—opened their plenary assembly Monday with a call to support Pope Francis' vision for a more inclusive church president of the International Union of Superiors General as only men can vote to determine the next leader of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church Child Protection Commission Urges Prayers for Cardinals in Conclave Stoves: Workers Ready Sistine Chapel for Conclave Cardinal Asks Electors to be Shaped by Spirit Before Voting for Pope New Pope’s Cassock Comes in Three Sizes Cardinal Warns of Cruelty Hidden Behind ‘Elegant Speeches’ How the Conclave Works: It’s Guided by a Rule Book and a Prayer Book ROME (CNS) — As Catholics in Rome await the election of their new bishop they are assigned a “titular” parish in Rome “There is a growing consensus about the qualities needed for the next Holy Father he was predicting a fairly short conclave “because the majority of cardinals are diocesan bishops and we need to get back.” Cardinal Tobin said there is a desire “to have continuity” with the papacy of Pope Francis “There is no going back,” he added welcomed Cardinal Tobin “home” to his Rome parish And we pray for you and with you that you will choose a pastor with the heart of Jesus.” Cardinal Tobin focused mainly on his “little brothers and sisters” who were about to receive Communion for the first time you know everything; you know that I love you.” mom would come to the door with good news: ‘Dinner’s ready.'” “not only because we were hungry,” but thinking about it more deeply “It was a big table with a lot of people around it and a lot of noise “not only to nourish us but to show us that God wants to be with us God wants us to leave behind despair and discover the joy of being a family.” “We will pray in thanksgiving for the new pope or pray that they will give us a good bishop of Rome soon.” CatholicPhilly.com works to strengthen the connections between people families and communities every day by delivering the news people need to know about the Catholic Church you and hundreds of other people become part of our mission to inform form in the Catholic faith and inspire the thousands of readers who visit every month Please join in the church's vital mission of communications by offering a gift in whatever amount that you can ― a single gift of $40 Your gift will strengthen the fabric of our entire Catholic community and sustain CatholicPhilly.com as your trusted news source NEXT: Child Protection Commission Urges Prayers for Cardinals in Conclave USCCB: Statement of USCCB on Vatican’s Document Addressing Pastoral Blessings Pope Francis’ May 2023 Prayer Intention | Watch Video Catholic Charities of Philadelphia Returns to Roots Dan Tarrant Brings God to the World Through Catholic Filmmaking Wanted in RomeMagazine Rome police authorities have drawn up a security plan ahead of the conclave when 133 cardinals will convene in the Vatican to elect a successor to Pope Francis Checkpoints will be set up in streets around St Peter's Square from 07.00 on Wednesday morning as pilgrims and the faithful flock towards the Vatican Security chiefs said the plan will be "open to modification" and would remain in place until the first official celebration by the new pontiff There will also be extra security measures at papal basilicas in Rome, in particular Santa Maria Maggiore or St Mary Major's where Pope Francis is buried The conclave will begin on Wednesday when the 133 cardinal-electors gather in the Sistine Chapel to take part in the highly secretive process to elect the 267th pope Vatican officials involved in the conclave were obliged to take an oath of secrecy in a solemn ceremony that took place in the Pauline Chapel on Monday the cardinal-electors will reside in the Casa Santa Marta guest house in Vatican City The cardinals will also be sworn to secrecy and will be banned from communicating with the outside world To ensure there is no external contact or outside influence the Vatican will use jammers to disrupt phone signals for the duration of the conclave Cardinals will vote a maximum of four times per day - twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon - until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority The new pope will need the backing of at least 89 cardinals to be elected the cardinals will use smoke from a chimney installed in the Sistine Chapel to signal to the world whether the round of voting has been decisive or not If the vote is inconclusive the smoke will be black the smoke will be white and the Vatican's bells will ring out Photo credit: Gennaro Leonardi / Shutterstock.com Wanted in Rome ™ is member of the Wanted World Wide Ltd network.Click here to find out more about our Network or Follow us on social networks © 2025 / 2026 Wanted World Wide LTD Network