In the intense hours leading up to the beginning of the Conclave convened to elect the new Successor of the Apostle Peter it is worthwhile to recall a fundamental aspect of the ministry of the Bishop of Rome—one particularly perceived by the People of God: fatherhood upon the unexpected announcement of the death of Pope Francis Pope Saint Paul VI reflected on the experience of fatherhood during a conversation with his friend upon returning from his journey to India in December 1964 The Pope had been greeted in the streets upon arrival by more than a million people from all religions surrounding the open-roofed Lincoln that Paul VI would later donate to Mother Teresa of Calcutta Pope Paul VI confided to Guitton, “I believe that of all the dignities of a Pope I once accompanied Pius XII during solemn ceremonies He would throw himself into the crowd as into the pool of Bethesda But between witnessing fatherhood and being personally a father there is an ocean of difference. Fatherhood is a feeling that invades the spirit and heart but only grows—because the number of children grows.” Pope Saint Paul VI added, “It is not so much a function as a fatherhood Never—not even for a moment—have I felt tired when raising my hand to bless I shall never grow weary of blessing or forgiving." "When I arrived in Bombay," he said "there were twenty kilometers to travel to reach the Congress venue attentive crowds that one sees only in India A priest friend who was near me—I believe that by the end he was supporting my arm but a brother—less than all—because I carry the weight of all.” “less than all,” because he carries the burden of all Several months before that experience in India Pope Paul VI had already felt what it meant to be quite literally “swallowed” by the embrace of the people the crowd was so immense that it disrupted the planned welcome ceremony exiting with difficulty and shielded by King Hussein’s soldiers passed with great effort through the Damascus Gate—his entourage unable to accompany him hemmed in by the tightly packed crowd in the ancient alleys of the Holy City it seemed he would be swallowed up by the throng told a group of journalists gathered outside the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem that many years earlier Giovanni Battista Montini had confided to him,  “I dream of a Pope who lives free from the pomp of the court and the imprisonments of protocol Bevilacqua concluded, “That is why I am convinced that today he is happier than when he descends into Saint Peter’s seated on the gestatorial chair…” Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here Kochi: Fifty years since a teenage boy from Kerala’s Kochi wrote and composed a devotional song his emotions have reached a crescendo with the piece of music he created finding its way to a holy mass conducted at St Peter's Basilica was overwhelmed with memories and emotions as the Malayalam song ‘Natha njangal kai koopidunnoo’ was sung as an offertory hymn during the holy mass offered by the oriental churches on May 2 the seventh day of the official nine-day mourning for the pope The holy mass was presided over by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti former Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches while a choir of priests and nuns from Kerala performed the song the hymn has often become a part of the holy mass in Catholic churches but Mariadas had no clue that its notes would one day reverberate inside St Peter's Basilica Mariadas learned about it only after the song's video during the holy mass was streamed by faith-related YouTube channels hailing it as a proud moment for Kerala churches “I can say that it’s only a part of God’s plan I’m delighted that the song passed through ears and reached the highest place,” Mariadas told Onmanorama from his house at Chittur Road The choir boy’s hymn Mariadas’ tryst with music started when he joined the Carmel Divine Voice a choir group formed as part of Carmel Holy Family Church at Chittur Road in the early seventies He started with vocals there and slowly picked up a violin with a broken string knowing little that it would shape the rest of his life “I wrote and composed the song ‘Natha...’ in 1975 for our choir but later I changed the tune to the 3/4 time signature as I felt the first tune was a bit complicated for ordinary singers I also arranged the orchestra for the song with an intro on the saxophone and a harmony on the violin I used the style of the saxophone master Rodrigues a Goan settled in Thevara at that time,” Mariadas remembered The church choir performed the song in 1975 it has gone from choir to choir and has become a popular piece in competitions Mariadas said the song attained the popularity it enjoys now after the Cochin Arts and Communications (CAC) under the Archdiocese of Verapoly made it a part of its playlist “Singers Gagul Joseph and Kester have trained people from many parishes in the song,” he said He said that CAC replaced the word ‘Devaa’ in the original song with ‘Nathaa’ Though Mariadas had tried to record the song he could not do so due to financial constraints at the time ‘Kaazhchavayppinte ee nimisham,’ which is part of an album titled Varadayika Mariadas never had an opportunity to be trained in classical music though he has been performing as part of several troupes for decades now in stage programmes and TV shows He has composed the background score for a Biblical film directed by Joshy Illath He has also assisted popular Malayalam composers Berny-Ignatius and Alex Paul in a few films He was also part of A R Rahman’s orchestra and performed with Keeravani Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Peter’s Basilica ahead of his funeral on Saturday in St The basilica was bathed in a hushed silence as mourners from across the globe made a slow shuffling procession up the main aisle to pay their last respects to Francis The Vatican said more than 90,000 people had paid their respects by Thursday evening The basilica closed for just a short time Thursday morning and will stay open Thursday night as long as there are mourners and after two hours still had not reached the basilica “I don’t even care how much time I wait here It’s just the opportunity to (show) how I admired Francisco in his life,’' said Fernandez whose admiration for the pope grew during his 2016 visit to Mexico flew on the spur of the moment from Dublin just to pay his respects “I think it’s just really important to be here to show our respect to the Holy Father,’' he said We just felt it was really important to be here.” Among the first-day mourners was a church group of 14-year-olds from near Milan who arrived for the now-suspended canonization of the first millennial saint as well as a woman who prayed to the pope for a successful operation and an Italian family who brought their small children to see the pope’s body “We came because we didn’t bring them when he was alive so we thought we would bring them for a final farewell,’’ said Rosa Scorpati who was exiting the basilica Wednesday with her three children in strollers but I don’t think they really understood because they haven’t yet had to deal with death.” Out of devotion to the pope and his message of inclusion the grieving faithful joined the procession of mourners that wended from St Peter’s Square through the basilica’s Holy Door with the repentant among them winning an indulgence a form of atonement granted during the Jubilee Holy Year the line extended down the basilica’s central aisle to the pope’s simple wooden casket Italian authorities have tightened security around the Vatican adding drones to foot and horse patrols to their controls along the Tiber River and Via della Conciliazione to secure the area for mourners and foreign delegation expected for the funeral The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns Among those confirming their attendance are U.S President Donald Trump with the First Lady Melania Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a news conference on Thursday that “I believe that the ‘security machine’ is ready,’' but will remain flexible and ”ready to reshape and above all transmit a sense of serenity.’' with four Swiss Guards standing at attention many lifted their smartphones to snap a photo One nun accompanying an elderly woman with a cane walked away sobbing The mood was more one of gratitude for a pope who had “I am very devoted to the pope,’' said Ivenes Bianco ”He was important to me because he brought many people together by encouraging coexistence.’' She cited Francis’ acceptance of the gay community and his insistence on helping the poor Humbeline Coroy came to Rome from Perpignan for the planned canonization Sunday of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis which was suspended after the pope’s death enjoying exchanges with Japanese mourners they met as they waited under the sun in St and I traveled to Madagascar to work with poor people Cardinals continued to arrive in Rome for Saturday’s funeral During a morning session “the cardinals started a conversation on the church and the world,’' the details of which remain private cardinals under 80 years of age will meet in a conclave to choose a new pope after Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares said he would not make it to Rome for health reasons confirmed his participation after getting cleared by doctors and one feels that,’' said French Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco “For the moment I do not believe the cardinals are saying ‘who will be the next?’ For the moment we are here completely for Francis.” Franceso Sportelli and Isaia Montelione in Vatican City and AP writer Jovana Gec in Belgrade The conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7 as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition: Pope Francis made a final gift to the people of Gaza: a mobile health clinic The popemobile Francis used during his historic May 2014 visit to the Holy Land is being “refurbished and upgraded” to provide medical assistance to injured and malnourished children in Gaza who talked about the project with ACI Prensa Dubbed the “Vehicle of Hope,” the mobile pediatric clinic will be deployed in the Palestinian territory as soon as humanitarian access is restored joins “EWTN News Nightly” to discuss the College of Cardinals’ schedule leading up to the start of the conclave on Wednesday He shares what has been discussed during the general congregations and whether those conversations offer insight into what the cardinals are seeking in the next pope he reflects on what it is like to witness the moment white smoke rises — and a new pope steps onto the balcony of St As the College of Cardinals prepares to gather in the conclave the global Church enters a moment of discernment — and of speculation others call for a voice from the peripheries For Christians in the Middle East this moment carries particular significance rooted in lands marked by instability and loss have not seen a pope from their region since the seventh century And yet their presence endures — reduced in number but not in faith; marginalized politically The Vatican Governorate is informing the city state’s residents and employees that beginning on May 7 at 3 p.m “all the transmission systems of the mobile phone telecommunications signal present in the territory of the Vatican City State … will be deactivated.” The measure is part of the security requirements of the conclave to elect the new pope which takes place in private in the Sistine Chapel through secret ballots “with the maximum speed permitted by the technology of the mobile operators,” after the announcement of the election of the new pope from the central balcony of St One of the first things billions will learn about the new pope even before he steps onto the balcony overlooking St After Cardinal Dominique Mamberti proclaims “Habemus papam!” he will announce the supreme pontiff’s Christian name he’ll reveal his regnal name — the one that will follow the word “Pope.” nobody will have ever called him that before most people will never call him anything else It’s the first message a new pope sends — even before he speaks Read more from Matt McDonald at the National Catholic Register. The College of Cardinals held its 11th general congregation at 5 p.m Rome time on Monday in preparation for the May 7 conclave the Holy See Press Office announces Monday afternoon says the next — and last — congregation will take place Tuesday morning at 9 a.m The topics discussed were ethnicism in the Church and in society and the commitment of cardinals in supporting the new pope “There was talk about a pastor pontiff dialoguing with different cultures Sects in different regions of the world were also discussed,” the press office adds The 11th and penultimate General Congregation gathered 170 cardinals, including 132 electors, to discuss ethnocentrism, migration, war, synodality, and hopes for a pastor-pope open to dialogue with diverse cultures. pic.twitter.com/GD66DEvzI5 like throwing darts at a dartboard with a blindfold Although we have some idea who the prominent candidates are knowing with any accuracy the cardinal who the members of the Sacred College will choose as the Successor of Peter is something of a fools errand Read more of Edward Pentin’s commentary at the National Catholic Register. Are you ready? The Conclave is near.From Benedict XVI to Francis — relive the moments that shaped history. Now, 133 cardinal electors prepare to enter the Sistine Chapel once again to choose the next Pope. A decisive hour for the Catholic Church and the world. pic.twitter.com/ONfbe5TOpI With 179 cardinals present — 132 of them electors — the tenth congregation featured 26 interventions on key themes: the need for a Pope close to the people, the Church’s missionary nature, transmission of the faith, care for creation, and service to the poor. Reflections also… pic.twitter.com/QIE9HlnGtq As the world focuses on the Catholic Church and the upcoming papal conclave founder and CEO of the evangelism group FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) urged Catholics to share the Gospel with zeal.  In an interview with “EWTN News In Depth” from St Martin spoke on the current state of evangelization in the Catholic Church as the world anticipates a new pope Read more here. Three of the youngest cardinals participating in the upcoming Conclave shared an unexpected moment of lightheartedness, taking a selfie together inside Saint Peter’s Basilica. The viral social media image shows that faith and reverence meet the digital age with authenticity and… pic.twitter.com/88cdnBXiW9 On the ninth and final day of Novendiales, the nine days of mourning for Pope Francis, French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti reflected on the papal mission to love and serve Christ and his Church which becomes service to the Church and to all humanity,” the cardinal said in St The Mass for the ninth and last of the Novendiales was celebrated for the third Sunday of Easter who was the prefect of the supreme tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura calling on him to “feed my lambs” and “tend my sheep.” an expected 133 cardinal electors will enter the Sistine Chapel to elect the new Roman pontiff who shied away from giving red hats to the traditional archdioceses but opted to give the honor to far-flung places many of which had never had a cardinal before Of the 133 cardinals with the right to vote in this conclave 108 were created by Pope Francis and therefore will be participating in the election of a pontiff for the first time Read more about how Francis shaped the College of Cardinals. The latest moves from the Synodal Way and Chinese Communist Party are clearly meant to influence what goes on inside the Sistine Chapel — but could they backfire Read Jonathan Liedl’s analysis at the National Catholic Register. Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Register (CNA’s sister news partner) and co-founder of CollegeOfCardinalsReport.com reports on “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo” about the general congregations going on in Rome leading up to the conclave and how the cardinals coming from all over the world will get to know each other at these gatherings: Today, 177 cardinals — including 127 electors — gathered for the 9th General Congregation in the Vatican. Discussions centered on Church communion, global fraternity, and the legacy of Pope Francis. With preparations at Casa Santa Marta nearing completion, all cardinals are… pic.twitter.com/qlqSBU2dzN Pope Francis desired that consecrated Catholic men and women possess “a heart and a spirit pure and free enough” to love and serve the least among us, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime says at the eighth Novendiales Mass on Saturday. the former prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life celebrated and delivered the homily at the second-to-last Mass held in mourning for the Holy Father Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime presided over the 8th Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis from St. Peter's Basilica, in which he urged the faithful to make the apostles' Easter joy a true "program of life. pic.twitter.com/NPd8UMohym the president of the International Union of Superiors General said at the Mass that the late pope “invited us out into the world and among all of God’s creation to heal and accompany those most in need.” Here are the first images of Michelangelo’s majestic Sistine Chapel nearly ready to welcome the cardinal electors for the upcoming conclave on May 7. pic.twitter.com/t6xOR9XuZC Cardinal Francis Arinze has said that the Church needs “a pope who is full of fire for the kingdom of Christ.”  In an interview with EWTN earlier this year the 92-year-old cardinal reflected on the qualities needed in the next pope offered wisdom to younger cardinals who will enter their first conclave and spoke of the challenges facing the Church today.  “We want a pope who is full of fire for the kingdom of Christ,” the Nigerian cardinal said … A pope through whom people will believe.”  CNA Rome correspondent Courtney Mares has more. Just days before the Conclave starts, journalists are pressing for statements from the Cardinals already in the Vatican. Here’s how the Cardinals try to avoid them. pic.twitter.com/jeosWPHhsD former head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and currently a cardinal elector who will vote in the upcoming conclave spoke Thursday on “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo” about the papacy of Pope Francis and the qualities needed by the man who will eventually become Francis’ successor at the close of the conclave that begins May 7 On the seventh day of the Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti recalled the extreme sacrifice Catholics from the Eastern Catholic Churches have made to remain faithful to the successor of St Eastern Catholics have agreed to adhere to full communion with the successor of the Apostle Peter And it was in the name of this union that they bore witness to their faith,” Gugerotti said at a Mass on May 2 in St in numbers and in strength but not in faith “remain firmly clinging to a sense of catholicity that does not exclude but rather implies the recognition of their specificity.” Read more. The conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7 Over 130 cardinal electors will vote in the conclave the largest group of cardinal electors ever It is also arguably the most diverse group of electors ever A closer look at the numbers — taking the estimated number of Catholics in a country and dividing them by the number of cardinal electors — gives some idea of how “represented” that country’s Catholic community will be in the conclave the more “representation” those Catholics get in the conclave via the cardinal or cardinals who serve them.  Find out more in this fascinating analysis of the numbers. The upcoming conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis will be the largest in the history of the Catholic Church with 133 cardinal electors expected to gather in the Sistine Chapel on May 7 The unprecedented number surpasses all previous papal conclaves breaking the previous record of 115 electors in the 2005 and 2013 elections It also marks the first time a conclave will be held with more than 120 voting cardinals — the limit set by St John Paul II in his 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.  Read more. Vatican firefighters have installed the iconic chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, a key step ahead of the May 7 conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor. Black smoke = no pope yet; white smoke = a new pope has been chosen. All eyes on the Vatican! #Conclave2025 pic.twitter.com/dSikPOHFYJ attention turns to the strict protocols governing the secretive process of electing the next pope Matthew Bunson joins “EWTN News Nightly” from Rome to explain how secrecy is maintained during the conclave whether any of the cardinals will have downtime during this period and how many votes are required for a new pontiff to be chosen He also reflects on the unique overlap of Italy’s Labor Day and the feast of St Not only did Pope Francis value and promote the dignity of labor, he was someone who personally worked extremely hard, finding joy and rest in work itself, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández said at the sixth Novendiales Mass. is to what extent [Pope Francis] understood that his work was his mission his everyday work was his response to God’s love it was an expression of his concern for the good of others,” Fernández said in St Drawing on the best of the Francis papacy, the next pope needs to be an Evangelii Gaudium pope more than a synodality pope, writes Terence Sweeney in his commentary at the National Catholic Register As the Catholic Church continues through a period of interregnum between the reign of popes Chinese authorities have made moves to assert the Church in China’s autonomy from Rome by unilaterally “electing” two bishops — including in a diocese already led by a Vatican-appointed bishop Read more about the controversial moves here. Members of the College of Cardinals have gathered in Rome in anticipation of the subsequent election of Pope Francis’ successor 133 of whom are eligible and expected to vote in the conclave But who are they? Read the whole story here. At a time when some postulate that Europe might soon become irrelevant because of the increasing prominence of the Global South — where the Church is growing fastest — it remains as its institutional and theological center of gravity With currently 53 of the 135 voting cardinals coming from Europe — a third of whom are Italians —  their collective priorities and concerns will influence not only the choice of the next pope but also the direction of the Church in a rapidly changing world.  It is becoming clear, however, that the European bloc is no longer unified, writes Solène Tadié in the National Catholic Register The qualities of a pope go far beyond merely being a kind of CEO of the Catholic Church he should possess a strong faith and humility be willing to adhere to the Church’s teachings and apostolic tradition and personify the pope’s ancient title as “servus servorum Dei,” the servant of the servants of God But he should also possess other exceptional qualities, according to Edward Pentin at the National Catholic Register As we prepare for the start of the conclave on May 7, here are several places to be familiar with.1. Casa Santa MartaSaint John Paul II designated the Domus Sanctae Marthae as the residence of the cardinal electors during conclaves.2. Sistine ChapelIt is the seat of the… pic.twitter.com/PJqZaBBCZQ Cardinal Gerhard Müller calls for a deeper, faith-driven approach to overcome factionalism as cardinals prepare for the upcoming papal conclave, reports CNA Deutsch The cardinal warns against any “friend and foe thinking” that categorizes people as “for me” or “against me,” calling such division particularly “harmful for the Church which by its nature is meant to be the sign the instrument” of communion with God and among people who served as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2012 to 2017 offers a profound perspective on the concept of “periphery” popularized by Pope Francis Warning of an ideological contrast of “center versus periphery,” Müller tells EWTN Germany that the world is a sphere where every person stands equidistant from its core — and that the Eucharist uniting believers worldwide in a shared faith speculation grows about who will succeed Pope Francis as the next pope One potential candidate is Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa A group of young Christians from Palestine is in Rome originally for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis but instead found themselves present for the pope’s funeral advocating for Pizzaballa’s election to the papacy EWTN Vatican journalist Valentina Di Donato reports from Rome: The 2025 Conclave: All the cardinal electors from A to Z. Let's pray for them. pic.twitter.com/evOGuKSmGA Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church which becomes service to the Church and to all humanity,” Cardinal Dominique Mamberti said in St 92-year-old Cardinal Francis Arinze reflected on the qualities needed in the next pope CNA is a service of EWTN News, Inc. The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Photograph: Khames Alrefi/Anadolu/Getty Images Photograph: Romeo Boetzle/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images Please register to access this FREE content Peter learns something important about Easter Life in the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year C In Sunday Readings columns at this site and the Extraordinary Story podcast I’ve been discovering the true meaning of Easter: Jesus Christ is undoing the sin of the first Adam and through the Church re-Edenizing the world You could call our new life “the Easter Life” and as this Sunday’s Gospel reveals because the longing for second chances is built into our hearts “Forgive us our debts” is one of the most powerful petitions in the Our Father It fulfills a longing that starts as children: When children attempt a stunt on the playground and miss “I call do-overs!” and their friends generously allow that But Satan is the opposite of children on the playground He does not allow any “do-overs;” Once he gets us to sin We sin because we think it will free us from constraints and allow us to thrive but the horrifying reality of sin is that it traps us Othello realizes that he can’t un-kill Desdemona and despairs — he is trapped by his sin just like the characters in Fargo and Breaking Bad and countless other stories Pope Francis in his autobiography wrote about how his whole life has been haunted by the time as a young man that he snubbed his father on his death bed “How I wish I could replay that scene!” he said Judy Garland was pressured by her movie studio to abort her first child and she never forgave herself — the memory fueled her depression The Good News of Easter — and therefore the Good News of Christianity — is that Jesus Christ heals our deepest hurts and gave us all a second chance First: Peter gets to do over his reaction to a miraculous catch Jesus got into his boat and started preaching When Jesus said “lower your nets for a catch,” Peter reacted by complaining that he hadn’t caught anything all night after casting his nets anyway he received that first miraculous catch that almost sunk his boat when he pulled it in But as it dawned on Peter that this was no mere preacher but someone truly special the Lord once again directs Peter toward a miraculous catch The Gospel also includes a telling detail a little later that is easy to miss: “Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore” but worth noting: The first time he received a miraculous catch of fish from the Lord wiser Peter knows that just because the Lord blesses you doesn’t mean he gives your boat miraculous powers In order to accommodate the Lord’s blessing Second: Peter Gets a second chance to come to Jesus across the water Peter once walked on water at the Lord’s command but then he sank when he took note of the winds and waves instead of staying focused on Jesus tell me to come to you across the water.” In this Sunday’s Gospel right off the boat — and has to splash the 100 yards to shore Maybe he expected to walk on the water — after all he put more clothes on before stepping into the sea But what actually happens amounts to the same act of faith Peter once lacked trust in Jesus on the water and had to shout “Save me!” with a mouth full of water he is so focused on Jesus that he steps into the sea again only this time even sinking into the water won’t stop him “Wash not just my feet but my hands and head as well!” and here he gets his wish the Gospel tells us that Jesus had made a charcoal fire This is the second time the Gospel of John mentions a charcoal fire The first was in the courtyard before the early morning trial of Jesus on Good Friday Peter during the Passion that he was praying that he would strengthen his brothers’ faith I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.”  But then Peter famously failed John describes how the denials happened by a charcoal fire “the Lord turned and looked at Peter” and Peter wept bitterly and Jesus gives him a golden opportunity to reverse it here by professing his love for Jesus three times next to another early morning fire repeating three times that he loves him and receiving the command to lead his flock Fourth: Peter gets to do over his leadership of the Church “I am going fishing.” His leadership of the apostles is such that several agree to join him “Someone else will … lead you where you do not want to go.” That is the life that Peter has ahead of him where he is sent various places based on the needs of the Church we see how his leadership is transformed into his Easter life He is no longer denying Jesus in the courtyard of the Sanhedrin saying: “Though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior He is no longer leading his people in fishing for fish — now he is leading the Church as it fishes for more Christians Jesus Christ died and rose to give us all a Second Chance and now not only are we not separated from God we are welcomed into his company for an intimate meal The Second Reading describes what we experience at Mass looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne,” he says “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea cry out: ‘To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor At each Mass we gather around the altar of the Lamb and are incorporated into his new life Our second chance starts in the confessional where we leave our sins behind; it continues at the altar where Peter and his Church feed his sheep with the Real Presence of our Risen Savior; and then we are sent out of our churches to be his witness in the world Subscribe below to receive weekly emails The opinions expressed on this website do not necessarily reflect the views of the college Copyright © 2025 Benedictine College Site Archive Bishop Zarama's visit continued to the playground after Mass, where he blessed the new structure that was installed last summer. To the delight of the third, fourth and fifth graders who were on the playground, Bishop Zarama also tested out the students' favorite feature: the slide! After the blessing and testing out of the playground, Bishop Zarama joined Principal Debbie Sommer and Father James Magee, pastor, inside the school to visit with students. Our sixth graders had the opportunity to ask the bishop questions about his childhood, his call to the priesthood, how he found out that he was named a bishop and what he does in his free time. Heather Brockway is director of Enrollment Management and Marketing at St. Peter Catholic School in Greenville. You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Daily Weather Report Powered By: FILE PHOTO: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attends a mourning Mass for Pope Francis on the fifth day of Novendiali (nine days of mourning after the Pope's funeral) at St FILE PHOTO: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle leads the Rosary for Pope Francis outside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - All of the 133 cardinals expected to take part in the secret conclave to elect a new pope have arrived in Rome with the race to succeed Pope Francis seen as wide open wooden doors of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon with all cardinals aged under 80 entitled to take part to choose a successor to Francis Some cardinals are looking for a new pope who will continue with Francis' push for a more transparent while others are seeking retrenchment to more traditional roots that put a premium on doctrine Conclaves are often spread out over several days with multiple votes held before a contender wins the necessary three-quarters majority to become pope The world's Catholic cardinals have been meeting on a near daily basis since the day after Francis' death on April 21 to discuss the state of the 1.4-billion-member Church with the numbers of participating clerics gradually swelling will not be joining the conclave for health reasons Among the questions addressed on Monday were "strong concern" about divisions within the Church said the Vatican spokesman -- a possible reference to splits over Francis' decision to allow blessings for same-sex partners and to open discussion about the role of women in the Church Cardinals also talked about the profile of a future pope -- "a figure who must be present a shepherd close to the real life of the people," the spokesman said While there are a few cardinals seen as potential front-runners to succeed Francis -- two often mentioned are Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle -- many of the voting clerics have not made up their minds and I think it will continue to change over the next few days," British Cardinal Vincent Nichols "It's a process which for me is far from concluded The cardinals will hold a second session of talks on Monday afternoon Two Vatican guest houses will house the cardinals during the conclave when they will be barred from contact with the outside world who is 92 and cannot take part in the vote said he was sure the electors would choose someone to pursue Francis' progressive agenda "I believe that there is a very clear expectation A pastor who knows the language of the heart who does not close himself in palaces," Kasper told La Stampa newspaper there are also cardinals who hope for a change of direction with respect to Francis is that the majority of cardinals are in favour of continuity." (Reporting by Joshua McElwee and Crispian Balmer; Editing by Ros Russell) Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Stories you've missed since your last login: Recommended stories based on your interests: Peter as the geographic midpoint on our treks to the Twin Cities It meant there were only two more towns before Belle Plaine which was essentially “the cities” to us southern folk there were no stoplights in the town I grew up in (speaking of There was always something so serene about St watching the brick- and tree-lined Main Street go by Since the highway runs directly through town there’s no choice but to slow down and admire the effortless small-town feel and generations of families navigating their safe little corner of the world and I’m hard-pressed to think of a more Minnesota place for a day of exploration or peaceful weekend escape tracing back to the early 1850s when Swedish immigrants settled in the area it played a pivotal role in the early history of Minnesota even earning a place in the conversation about the state’s capital—before St Peter was a serious contender due to its central location along the Minnesota River It was even recommended as the capital by some of Minnesota’s early political leaders a last-minute maneuver in the state’s legislative branch prevented the change (a chairman actually hid the physical bill to stop it from happening) Though it didn’t turn out to be the capital Peter’s historical importance is undeniable The city played a pivotal role in one of the most consequential events in Minnesota’s history: the signing of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux in 1851 marked a defining moment in the relationship between the United States government and the Dakota people the Dakota Nation ceded about 24 million acres of land to the U.S. which included much of what would become southern and central Minnesota though these promises were never fully honored The land that had been home to the Dakota for centuries was quickly transformed accelerating the state’s settlement and expansion positioned as it was along the Minnesota River emerged as an important regional center during this transition period St. Peter’s historic charm is evident in its beautifully preserved downtown area, where visitors can stroll past buildings that tell the story of the town’s Swedish heritage and early American settlement. The Treaty Site History Center the headquarters of the Nicollet County Historical Society is a perfect place to start your journey through the area’s history With exhibits that delve into the town’s founding the museum is a great way to connect with the area’s rich past the Convent of the Sisters of Saint Francis stands as a striking example of the town’s historical architecture Its serene presence adds a touch of peace and beauty to this already picturesque downtown a Gothic-revival architecture built in 1869 the bell from the original wooden church built in 1855 on this site has rung on the death of every American president since Abraham Lincoln If you’re looking for a dose of local art and creativity, stop by the St. Peter Arts Center This lively cultural hub showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions from visual art exhibits to live performances Whether you’re enjoying a local artist’s latest exhibition or catching a theatrical production the Arts Center is always buzzing with creative energy and events that allow visitors to dive deeper into the arts scene of St It’s a fantastic spot to experience the town’s rich artistic traditions while also supporting local talent Or check out the Hillstrom Museum of Art at nearby Gustavus Adolphus College. With exhibits that highlight national, regional, and international artwork, the museum is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in the arts while taking in the beautiful college campus. Gustavus’ Arboretum is also a must-visit essentially a beautifully maintained outdoor laboratory for students—and a space to escape For outdoor fun, a visit to the Minnesota River Trail is an absolute must this trail winds along the scenic Minnesota River and birdwatching are popular activities here especially in the spring and summer when the river is full and wildflowers blanket the landscape you’ll encounter quiet spots perfect for pausing and soaking in the peaceful environment while also catching glimpses of local wildlife Peter from Le Sueur and purchased a building to start a hotel expanding it throughout the 1890s with additions like a barber shop Konsbruck returned in 1916 to restore its former prestige and ran it until his death in 1927 His wife and daughters continued the business until it closed in 1930 due to the Great Depression The daughters lived in the building until their deaths the Red Men Club acquired part of the original bar lounge The Konsbruck Hotel stands as an award-winning establishment blending modern amenities with old-world charm—including clawfoot tubs and exposed brick walls it was recently voted “Best Hotel in Southern Minnesota,” receiving a five-star award of excellence from TripAdvisor honoring the hotel’s rich history while offering contemporary comforts When it comes to dining, St. Peter offers a great selection of eateries that showcase the town’s hospitality and unique character. Once you arrive in St. Peter, start your morning off with a maple latte and an organic caramel roll from River Rock Coffee & Tea located in a historic brick building right on the main drag and large front windows make for a peaceful Grab a seat by the windows and make sure to Instagram your beautifully crafted beverage Located right below the Konsbruck Hotel, 3rd Street Tavern offers a delicious blend of Southern classics like smoked ribs Known for its mouthwatering comfort food and creative cocktails the tavern also boasts an impressive bourbon selection MN Wing King is your ultimate destination for wings and barbecue offering 69 mouthwatering wing flavors and some of the best barbecue in the state Try bold flavors like Minnesota Honey Crisp BBQ Patrick’s on Third is a classic Irish tavern serving up delicious burgers old-school setting—plus it’s known for its “World Famous” Patty Melt Paddlefish Brewing Co. opened in 2023 and offers a range of craft beers Paddlefish Brewing is quickly becoming a community hub where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy a cold beverage Marcello Barbaria, FNP-BC Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates A board-certified family nurse practitioner Babaria has experience working with patients of all ages He previously worked in pediatrics at Bambini Pediatrics in Poughkeepsie Barbaria received his master’s degree from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh His professional interests include cardiology Saugerties Wellness Center is welcoming new patients at 854 Route 212 in Saugerties. Click [here] for more information or call 845-246-2804 St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates, with more than 950 physicians and advanced practitioners in more than 130 locations, is affiliated with St. Peter’s Health Partners – the region’s largest and most comprehensive not-for-profit network of high-quality Peter’s Surgeons Perform New Procedure to Treat Aortic Aneurysms St. Peter’s Health Partners will hold a free educational seminar, “Weight Loss Surgery: It’s About Winning,” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, in the Mercy Auditorium on the St. Peter’s Hospital Campus. […] Justine Pickel, FNP-BC, has joined St. Peter’s Internal Medicine in Albany, where she practices primary care. […] St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates is pleased to welcome Alyson Florek, FNP, to Albany Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery. […] WDHN - wdhn.com VATICAN CITY (AP) — There is no rule that cardinals electing a new pope vote a certain way according to their nationality or region But understanding their makeup in geographic terms can help explain some of their priorities as they open the conclave Wednesday to choose a new leader of the 1.4-billion strong Catholic Church A cardinal who heads the Vatican’s liturgy office might have a very different set of concerns from the archbishop of Ulaanbaatar A cardinal who runs a large European archdiocese with hundreds of priests likely has other priorities than the Vatican ambassador ministering to war-torn Syria or the archbishop of Managua whose church has been under siege by the government There are currently 135 cardinals who are under age 80 and eligible to vote in the conclave hailing from 71 different countries in the most geographically diverse conclave in history Already two have formally told the Holy See that they cannot attend for health reasons bringing the number of men who will enter the Sistine Chapel down to 133 A two-thirds majority is needed to be elected pope meaning that if the number of electors holds at 133 The countries with the most electors are: Italy (17) Here is a regional breakdown of the full 135 cardinal electors according to Vatican statistics and following the Vatican’s geographic grouping (An elector who says he’s skipping the conclave is from Spain so the actual number of Europeans is expected to be 52.) (Another elector who says he’s skipping the conclave is from Kenya so the number of Africans is expected to be 17.) North America: 16 (of whom 10 are American Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US The AP is solely responsible for this content St. Peter’s Gynecology, a practice of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates, is pleased to welcome Libby Kusiak, PA-C, to its team Kusiak is a board-certified physician assistant with specialized expertise in gynecology She is dedicated to providing compassionate Her clinical interests include women’s health Kusiak earned her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa She also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida St St. Peter’s Gynecology is currently accepting new patients at 31 Lower Hudson Avenue in Green Island. For more information, please click [here] or call 518-272-9140 St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates includes more than 950 physicians and advanced practitioners across more than 130 locations. It is affiliated with St. Peter’s Health Partners the region’s largest and most comprehensive not-for-profit health care network Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates Welcomes Marcello Barbaria LiveSmart: Female Puberty – When to Start Seeing an OB/GYN An estimated six to 12 million Americans contract head lice every year. What to do if you get the call that your kids have them? […] St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates is pleased to announce that Upstate Infectious Diseases Associates has joined its medical group, effective April 1, 2021. […] WNYT reports on the Capital Region’s first TAMBE procedure Peter’s Hospital by vascular surgeons Yaron Sternbach The procedure offers a minimally invasive treatment for complex aortic aneurysms These types of aneurysms occur when the aorta weakens and bulges across both chest and abdominal regions They present no symptoms until they rupture The only treatment previously was high-risk open surgery The new technique involves implanting a Gore Excluder TAMBE device These are specialized stents in the aorta that preserve blood flow to vital organs and redirect pressure away from weakened arterial walls Click here to watch WNYT’s report WRGB: Albany Hospital Pioneers Minimally Invasive Aortic Aneurysm Treatment Arthur Gran, M.D., of Troy Infectious Diseases, appeared on WNYT/NewsChannel 13 to discuss tick-borne diseases, the most common being Lyme Disease. […] Travelers who are journeying long distances should be aware of the danger of deep vein thrombosis, and how best to prevent it. […] Do you work with or know an exceptional young person who is an active volunteer? St. Peter’s Health Partners, WNYT-NewsChannel 13, and the Times Union want to hear from you, as we are looking for nominations for this year’s “13 Kids Who Care”! […] The Rite of Translation of the body of Pope Francis took place in the Vatican on Wednesday morning led by the College of Cardinals gathered in Rome following his death began the liturgical rite in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta with a brief prayer for the soul of Pope Francis Cardinal Farrell thanked God for the 12-year ministry of the late Pope let us thank the Lord for the countless gifts He bestowed on the Christian people through His servant to grant to the late Pope an eternal home in the kingdom of heaven and to comfort with the celestial hope the papal family The College of Cardinals then led the procession of the coffin through the Vatican’s Santa Marta Square Over 20,000 people had gathered in the square to pay their respects to the late Pope erupting into subdued but sustained applause as his coffin was carried up the steps and into St The late Pope’s coffin was placed in front of the Altar of the Confession and the choir chanted the Litany of the Saints in Latin for the repose of his soul Cardinal Farrell then led a brief Liturgy of the Word which included a reading from the Gospel of John (17:24-26) of Jesus’ priestly prayer proclaiming the love of God for Him and for His disciples The rite concluded with the chanting of the Salve Regina Members of the College of Cardinals then paid their respects to the late Pope Francis The Basilica will remain open until midnight on Wednesday In view of the large number of faithful wishing to pay homage to the Holy Father the Press Office stated in a note on Wednesday it does not rule out the possibility of extending the opening of the Vatican Basilica beyond the established time of midnight Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell will preside over the rite of the sealing of Pope Francis' coffin on Friday The Funeral Mass for Pope Francis will be held in St and lay faithful from around the world to bid farewell to Pope Francis the late Pope's body will be taken into St Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St Peter’s Square is transformed into a small piece of the Netherlands as flowers from all parts of the country color the steps of the smallest nation in the world It all started in 1985 with the beatification of a Dutch priest Dutch florists decorated the Square in honor of their countrymen they were invited to decorate the Square for Easter One man has been involved from the beginning in this tradition which has now become a sense of national pride Charles Lansdorp recalls that very first Easter where Pope St John Paul II thanked the Dutch people for their flowers in their native language everybody knows what you’re talking about.” Lansdorp says this collaboration between the Vatican and Dutch florists “is the longest project” in the flower industry in the Netherlands this collaboration “brings spring to Rome” as thousands of flowers line the area in front of St In order to prepare the flowers and decorations for Easter the Vatican gardeners and Dutch florists work together Volunteers start working on Holy Thursday collecting the world watches as the floral arrangements come together Some 10,000 flowers from various parts of the countries are driven from the Netherlands to Vatican City over the course of two days Peter’s Basilica are transformed as “it is almost like we bring spring to Rome.” “We will have the colors of the logo of the pilgrims for the Holy Year,” Dr it is no wonder that the Easter flowers are such a source of pride for the Netherlands He says this activity has perhaps the biggest visibility for the Dutch industry worldwide “It’s unique because we have the cut flowers “It is really the Netherlands presenting itself as a flower industry.” In a major medical breakthrough for the region Peter’s Hospital have successfully performed the Capital Region’s first thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis (TAMBE) procedure This revolutionary technique offers new hope for patients with complex life-threatening aortic aneurysms who previously faced limited treatment options “This advancement represents a transformative milestone for health care throughout our entire region,” said Kim Baker senior vice president of hospital operations at St “It underscores our unwavering commitment to bringing cutting-edge lifesaving technologies to our community.” Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) occur when the aorta—the body’s main arterial highway—dangerously weakens and bulges across both chest and abdominal regions Nicknamed “silent killers,” these aneurysms typically produce no symptoms until they begin to tear or rupture patients faced the daunting prospect of high-risk open surgery as their primary treatment option Yaron Sternbach, M.D. emphasized the procedure’s significance: “We’re dealing with one of vascular medicine’s most complex and dangerous conditions The TAMBE technique offers high-risk patients a crucial alternative that eliminates major open surgery and dramatically reduces risks while offering shorter recovery times and improved outcomes.” The recently FDA-approved Gore Excluder TAMBE device is an implantable branched endoprosthesis that is inserted through small incisions in the groin and just below the collarbone surgeons deploy multiple branches within the aorta placing specialized stents that preserve blood flow to vital organs while redirecting pressure away from the dangerously weakened arterial walls The groundbreaking procedure was performed by Dr. Sternbach and Dr. William Raible of St. Peter’s Vascular Associates in March on 73-year-old Jay Tucker from Round Lake Tucker’s aneurysm was discovered during routine screening—an especially critical find given his strong family history; his father passed away from an aortic aneurysm at age 63 “The doctor emphasized several times how serious this was,” Tucker recalled and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this option available so close to home.” Due to the procedure’s minimally invasive approach Tucker was able to return home just two days later—far sooner than the typical extended ICU stay associated with open surgery patients seeking alternatives to open surgery often had to travel to Boston or New York City,” noted Dr “That’s a serious hurdle for those facing mobility Being able to offer this lifesaving treatment right here in Albany is a major win for the community.” “I’m incredibly proud of our entire team—surgeons nurses and administrators—whose dedication made this possible we’re redefining what’s possible in regional health care Peter’s Hospital gets national recognition from Newsweek Kerstin Rieg, PA-C, has joined St. Peter’s Family Health Center, where she practices family medicine. […] John Byrne, M.D., MCh, FRCSI, EBSQ-VASC, has joined St. Peter’s Vascular Associates. A vascular surgeon with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Byrne specializes in open and endovascular surgery. […] Schyler Smith, PA-C, has joined St. Peter’s Internal and Family Medicine. A board-certified physician assistant, Smith specializes in internal and family medicine. […] The world won’t know the next bishop of Rome Peter the Apostle and leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics until he appears before a throng of supporters in St powerful members of the Catholic Church from around the world will take part in a process that is part spiritual and part pragmatic WATCH: What to expect as the College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new pope PBS News spoke with professors of theology history and law to answer some of the most common questions about conclaves The conclave will begin May 7 It will be the first in 20 years to take place after a pontiff’s death A conclave must start 15 to 20 days after the pope’s chair becomes “lawfully vacant.”  That’s according to an apostolic constitution written by Pope John Paul II in 1996 and updated by Benedict XVI in 2013 WATCH: World leaders and faithful mourners bid solemn farewell to Pope Francis Pope John Paul II’s death in 2005 led to the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation prompted the conclave that elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the papacy Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead the general audience in St The conclave takes place in Vatican City, the Italian city-state located inside Rome and governed by the Holy See Peter’s Basilica to celebrate a special Mass before solemnly proceeding later in the day inside the Sistine Chapel Pope Francis in the Sistine Chapel in 2020 Photo by Vatican Media/Handout via Reuters The apostolic constitution lays out a schedule for voting until a new pope is chosen by a two-thirds majority of the ballots the cardinals can take one vote in the afternoon the cardinals vote twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon on each successive day PHOTOS: Mighty and meek say farewell to Pope Francis at his funeral and last popemobile ride If a pope is not chosen after three days of voting the cardinals suspend voting for up to one day “to allow a pause for prayer and a brief spiritual exhortation” by a key cardinal While there are procedures in place if a conclave lasts longer than three days don’t expect the 2025 conclave to stretch that far “I’ll be worried if it starts to be more than three days,” said Kathleen Sprows Cummings a professor of history at the University of Notre Dame The longest papal election in history took more than two years in the late 1200s including that the cardinals meet in conclave to elect a new pope Only twice in the 20th century did a conclave stretch for five days (1903 and 1922) the 2005 and 2013 conclaves each lasted two days WATCH: Vatican readies for Francis’ funeral and potentially polarizing papal conclave Cardinal Angelo Becciu who recently asserted he had a right to participate in the conclave even after Francis forced him to resign his key Vatican position and his rights as a cardinal in 2020 over financial misconduct allegations which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love as well as to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave I have decided to obey as I have always done the will of Pope Francis not to enter the conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence,” he said in a statement through his attorneys Cardinals attend a mourning Mass for late Pope Francis on the fourth day of Novendiali (nine days of mourning after the Pope’s funeral) at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on April 29 Any baptized Catholic male can be elected pope regardless of whether they’re a member of the priesthood The only requirement is that he must be ordained as a bishop upon accepting the election the College of Cardinals has picked one of their own said the historians and professors of law and theology who spoke with PBS News There’s no electronic voting in a papal election After each round of voting and once the paper ballots are cast and checked Smoke emerges from a chimney above the Sistine Chapel to signify that a round of voting has ended to the crowd waiting in St White smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen Black smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel in Saint Peter’s Square on March 13 The rules of the conclave call on the cardinals to enlist “two trustworthy technicians” to ensure “no audiovisual equipment for recording or transmitting has been installed by anyone” in the Sistine Chapel or any adjacent areas the cardinals must “refrain from written correspondence and from all conversations including those by telephone or radio,” with anyone outside the conclave Catholic monarchs asserted that they had the power to object to the cardinals’ choice for pope “They had cardinals who would represent their interests and could veto a selection,” said Charles J WATCH: What’s next for the Catholic Church as it prepares to select its new leader Pope Pius X fully prohibited the practice in 1904 you’ve had this tremendous worry that someone could communicate inside the College of Cardinals and influence the outcome,” Reid said “You want the outcome to be the pure working of the internal dynamics of the College of Cardinals.” The secrecy of the process “is to help prevent political and other entities having an influence as much as possible,” Jeffrey Morrow a professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville as well as “to emphasize for the faithful that this is a decision of the Holy Spirit so that we don’t look at this too politically Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican is silhouetted during sunset in Rome not long before Roman Catholic Cardinals began their conclave inside the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel Tuesday to elect a new pope Once a pope is elected, he is asked if he accepts his “canonical election as Supreme Pontiff” and to select his papal name the senior-most cardinal deacon in the College of Cardinals tells the crowd in St Peter’s Square and the millions of people watching elsewhere “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; Habemus Papam.” (“I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope.”) the new pope delivers a blessing to the crowd from one of the balconies of St Dan Cooney is the PBS NewsHour's Social Media Producer/Coordinator © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins click the “SHARE” button and select download audio and beloved friend of Living LIT—Katie Bogner—returns to the podcast for a timely and thoughtful conversation on the papacy and how to bring these sacred realities into the heart of our homes and classrooms As the Church prepares for the election of a new pope Katie joins Robyn to talk about how we can help our children and families understand this sacred and historic time Drawing from her beautiful book We Have a Pope and the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding the Church—all in ways that are clear The Conclave isn’t just for Cardinals-it’s a time for the whole Church to pray and participate Join us for a conversation that’s rich in faith full of practical ideas and rooted in the Truth Katie’s website:  Look to Him and be Radiant with oodles of FREE resources for the Conclave/Papal Election & more  *purchase We Have a Pope – St. Paul Center Use code “Bogner2025” for FREE shipping Last week’s Living Lit episode with everything Papal election White Smoke & the Will of God: How a Pope Is Chosen | Living Lit – Living LIT | Podcast on Spotify View full audio media archive Check out some of the other podcasts that we offer or our weekly Sunday TV Mass Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article This event occurs when a pope dies or resigns The succeeding pope is chosen from among the cardinals When a two-thirds majority is reached among the electors the newly elected pope chooses his papal name A total of 83 popes have been proclaimed saints, as have some antipopes Pope Gregory VII restricted the use of the title to the bishop of Rome in 1073 confirming a practice that had existed since the 9th century According to legend, a female pontiff, sometimes called Pope Joan supposedly reigned under the title of John VIII for slightly more than 25 months The story first appeared in the 13th century (Who were the most influential popes in the history of the Roman Catholic Church?) During the course of the 2,000 years in which the papal system and the practice of electing popes in the papal conclave have evolved, the papacy has played a crucial role in both Western and world history The history of the papacy can be divided into five major periods: At the fourth Novemdiales Mass celebrated in St Peter’s Basilica Cardinal Mauro Gambetti reflected on the passage from Matthew's Gospel describing the Final Judgement when all peoples of the world are gathered before Christ Others will find themselves alone - outside love “Excluded from the Kingdom,” Cardinal Gambetti said “they remain desperately alone in their soul" But Cardinal Gambetti invited the faithful to look deeper “Which of these attitudes do we embody,” he asked both “personally and institutionally?" is not about knowing all the answers or performing all the right actions when did we see you?” The word used - oráo in Greek - means more than simply seeing The message is clear: we meet Christ when we meet others “The Word became flesh,” the Cardinal continued And it is this humanity that Cardinal Gambetti saw in Pope Francis He recounted the farewell to the Pope written by Edith Bruck who described the Pope as “a man who loved As the Church prays for Pope Francis and walks through these days of mourning Cardinal Gambetti reminded the faithful that “Christian humanity” must be at the centre of the Church’s mission everyone is called to live in the Church" Pope Francis once said - words that today feel more urgent than ever Peter’s encounter with Cornelius offers a model: openness and the courage to proclaim the Gospel through relationship Cardinal Gambetti noted that on this Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena whose bold love for Christ saw no boundaries the Church is reminded of the call to walk closely with humanity - because God has done the same WNYT NewsChannel 13 recently reported on the news that St Peter’s Hospital was recognized as one of the best maternity hospitals in the country by Newsweek Peter’s received the recognition on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2025 Peter’s Hospital says they were the only ones named in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy area The senior vice president of hospital operations for St Peter’s Health Partners said they are grateful for their entire hospital staff who makes this honor possible To read more about the recognition, click HERE Peter’s Hospital Surgeons First in the Region to Perform Pioneering TAMBE Procedure for Complex Aortic Aneurysms St. Peter’s Health Partners will host its 18th annual Journey Through The Body© on Friday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Crossgates Mall. […] Samuel Hykin, M.D., a bariatric and general surgeon with Samaritan Hospital Bariatric and Metabolic Care, a practice of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates, appeared on WNYT’s Health Beat to discuss weight loss and bariatric surgery. […] St. Peter’s Health Partners, WNYT-NewsChannel 13 and the Times Union have once again teamed up to “uncover” and honor youth in the Capital Region whose volunteer work touches the lives of our residents and improves the quality of life in this area. […] Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application He was the youngest child of Mae and Harry Sunder Louis University and served as United States Naval Intelligence Officer with the rank of Lieutenant he began his business career in purchasing management at Monsanto Co Janet (Fletcher) and they were married on November 25 volunteered and served in many meaningful ways he continued his commitment to service through active involvement with St Louis Blues and Cardinals and he was an avid Mizzou fan Harry and Jan loved spending time with family especially with their three granddaughters and breakfast with a group of retirees – The Procrastinators Club daughters Gail (Bill) Hunter of Berryville and Joan (Scott) Boessen and granddaughters He is proceeded in death by his sisters Laverne Moon Memorials may be made in Harry's name to St Peter Catholic Church and American Red Cross Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors From the very beginning of Russia's war in Ukraine Pope Francis continuously offered to mediate to help bring about peace He appealed for an end to the war at almost every public appearance and his prayers for "martyred Ukraine" became a familiar refrain calls for dialogue - for key players to come together and find a way to put an end to the conflict such a dialogue took place between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Photos showed the two Presidents seated face-to-face in St Peter's Basilica, deep in conversation A spokesperson for the White House called the discussion "very productive" said that it had been a "good meeting," adding that the pair had "discussed a lot one on one." "Hoping for results on everything we covered," President Zelensky wrote on social media Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out." that ceasefire had appeared less and less likely The last time Presidents Trump and Zelensky met in person the discussion devolved into an acrimonious verbal brawl President Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened to "walk away" from efforts to broker a peace deal Russia carried out its deadliest air attack on Kyiv since the beginning of the year President Zelensky said it was a "very symbolic meeting If those results do manifest themselves - if the 'just peace' so often spoken of by the late Pope is achieved - it might just be Francis' first miracle Log in to comment on videos and join in on the fun Watch the live stream of Fox News and full episodes Reduce eye strain and focus on the content that matters But those close to the table speak of a new momentum which was given a significant boost when on April 30th America and Ukraine signed a deal that grants America access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals in the shape of a new reconstruction investment fund the two countries will jointly manage This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Of minerals and ceasefires” Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents George Simion will face Nicusor Dan, a mainstream candidate, in a run-off There are five luxuries it can no longer feasibly afford Friedrich Merz’s career is one of unforced errors and puzzling missteps Both Donald Trump and Ukraine’s diplomats will consider it a success Donald Trump’s insults have soured the continent on its cousins  Cardinal Leonardo Sandri opened his homily during the fifth Novendiales Mass by proclaiming "Christ is Risen" He noted that in this Easter time the Church is between two important moments: the end of Pope Francis' papacy and the start of a new one the Cardinal Protodeacon will once again step out onto the balcony of St Peter’s to announce the name of a new Pope “finds its meaning in the Paschal experience of Christ.” Cardinal Sandri explained that the Novendiales Mass is not just a time of mourning but a moment for the Church to come together and to reaffirm its faith in the Resurrection The cardinals gather not only as collaborators of the Pope but also carrying with them the prayers of people from all over the world: from Tonga to Mongolia and from places where Christians are a small but faithful presence “We are called each day to remember and consciously live the truth that to reign is to serve,” the Cardinal said before stressing that it is with this spirit that Pope Francis lived his papcy: through his actions his journeys and his constant care for those on the margins The title “Servant of the Servants of God,” once used by Pope Gregory the Great who continued to remind the Church that at its heart Reflecting on the day’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles Cardinal Sandri noted that Peter’s speech at Pentecost was chosen not only because it marked the beginning of the Church but also because it speaks of fulfilment reiterates that just as Pentecost marked a new beginning for the apostles the Church today prepares for a new chapter He then went on to recite a verse from the prophet Joel one often quoted by Pope Francis: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people Cardinal Sandri noted that Pope Francis often linked this passage to the importance of connecting generations “There is no future without this encounter between old and young,” he explained Cardinal Sandri noted that Pope Francis had already left a vision for the future of the Church In the Bull of Indiction for the 2025 Jubilee he looked ahead to another major anniversary: 2000 years since the Passion “This Holy Year will guide the path of Christians… so that spiritually we may all become pilgrims to the Holy Land and proclaim once again: ‘The Lord is truly risen and has appeared to Simon!’" Video shows moments of the procession transferring Pope Francis' coffin from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta residence where he will lie in state before his funeral on Saturday '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" Job description: Leading the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church There are no official candidates for the papacy but some cardinals are considered “papabile,” or possessing the characteristics necessary to become pope John Paul II broke the centurieslong Italian hold on the papacy in 1978 the field of contenders has broadened considerably READ MORE: How does the conclave pick a new pope? 8 things to know When the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to choose a successor to Pope Francis they will be looking above all for a holy man who can guide the Catholic Church they will weigh his administrative and pastoral experience and consider what the church needs today Here is a selection of possible contenders The list will be updated as cardinals continue their closed-door The Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin Position: Vatican secretary of state under Francis The 70-year-old veteran diplomat was Francis’ secretary of state essentially the Holy See’s prime minister Though associated closely with Francis’ pontificate Parolin is much more demure in personality and diplomatic in his approach to leading than the Argentine Jesuit he served and he knows where the Catholic Church might need a course correction Parolin oversaw the Holy See’s controversial deal with China over bishop nominations and was involved — but not charged — in the Vatican’s botched investment in a London real estate venture that led to a 2021 trial of another cardinal and nine others Parolin knows the Latin American church well and played a key role in the 2014 U.S.-Cuba detente he would return an Italian to the papacy after three successive outsiders: St Pope Benedict XVI (Germany) and Francis (Argentina) But Parolin has very little pastoral experience: He entered the seminary at age 14 four years after his father was killed in a car accident he spent two years as a parish priest near his hometown in northern Italy but then went to Rome to study and entered the Vatican diplomatic service He has served at Vatican embassies in Nigeria He is widely respected for his diplomatic finesse on some of the thorniest dossiers facing the Catholic Church He has long been involved in the China file and he played a hands-on role in the Holy See’s diplomatic rapprochement with Vietnam that resulted in an agreement to establish a resident Vatican representative in the country Parolin was also the Vatican’s point-person in its frustrated efforts to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East He has tried to make the church’s voice heard as the Trump administration began working to end Russia’s war in Ukraine must involve all the actors who are at stake and take into account the principles of international law and the UN declarations,” he said Parolin might find the geopolitical reality ushered in by the Trump administration somewhat unreceptive to the Holy See’s soft power Dicastery for Evangelization under Francis is on many bookmakers’ lists to be the first Asian pope a choice that would acknowledge a part of the world where the church is growing Francis brought the popular archbishop of Manila to Rome to head the Vatican’s missionary evangelization office which serves the needs of the Catholic Church in much of Asia and Africa His role took on greater weight when Francis reformed the Vatican bureaucracy Tagle often cites his Chinese heritage — his maternal grandmother was part of a Chinese family that moved to the Philippines Vatican and management experience — he headed the Vatican’s Caritas Internationalis federation of charity groups before coming to Rome permanently — Tagle would be on the young side to be elected pope with cardinals perhaps preferring an older candidate whose papacy would be more limited Tagle is known as a good communicator and teacher — key attributes for a pope “The pope will have to do a lot of teaching we’ll have to face the cameras all the time so if there will be a communicator pope a theology professor at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila Tagle’s tenure at Caritas was not without controversy and some have questioned his management skills The Holy See said an outside investigation had found “real deficiencies” in management that had affected staff morale at the Caritas secretariat in Rome Experience: President of the bishops conferences of Africa and Madagascar The 65-year-old Ambongo is one of Africa’s most outspoken Catholic leaders heading the archdiocese that has the largest number of Catholics on the continent that seen as the future of the church He has been archbishop of Congo’s capital since 2018 and a cardinal since in 2019 Francis also appointed him to a group of advisers that was helping reorganize the Vatican bureaucracy Ambongo has been deeply committed to the Catholic orthodoxy and is seen as conservative he signed a statement on behalf of the bishops conferences of Africa and Madagascar refusing to follow Francis’ declaration allowing priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples in what amounted to continent-wide dissent from a papal teaching The rebuke crystalized both the African church’s line on LGBTQ+ outreach and Ambongo’s stature within the African hierarchy He has received praise from some in Congo for promoting interfaith tolerance especially on a continent where religious divisions between Christians and Muslims are common “He is for the openness of the church to different cultures,” said Monsignor Donatien Nshole secretary-general of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo the cardinal is also known for his unwavering advocacy for social justice In a country with high poverty and hunger levels despite being rich in minerals and where fighting by rebel groups has killed thousands and displaced millions in one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises he frequently criticizes both government corruption and inaction as well as the exploitation of the country’s natural resources by foreign powers “Congo is the plate from which everyone eats except for our people,” he said last year during a speech at the Pontifical Antonianum University Ambongo’s criticism of authorities has drawn both public admiration and legal scrutiny prosecutors ordered a judicial investigation of him after accusing him of “seditious behavior” over his criticism of the government’s handling of the conflict in eastern Congo president of the Italian bishops conference Previous position: Auxiliary bishop of Rome came up as a street priest in the image of Francis who promoted him quickly: first to archbishop of the wealthy archdiocese of Bologna in northern Italy in 2015 before bestowing the title of cardinal in 2019 He is closely closely affiliated with the Sant’Egidio Community a Rome-based Catholic charity that was influential under Francis Zuppi was part of Sant’Egidio’s team that helped negotiate the end of Mozambique’s civil war in the 1990s and was named Francis’ peace envoy for Russia’s war in Ukraine He traveled to Kyiv and Moscow after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the Holy See for help in winning the release of 19,000 Ukrainian children taken from their families and brought to Russia during the war The mission also took him to China and the United States Francis made clear he wanted him in charge of Italy’s bishops a sign of his admiration for the prelate who is known as a “street priest” — someone who prioritizes ministering to poor and homeless people and refugees Zuppi would be a candidate in Francis’ tradition of ministering to those on the margins although his relative youth would count against him for cardinals seeking a short papacy Zuppi wrote the introduction to the Italian edition of “Building a Bridge,” by the Rev about the church’s need to improve its outreach to the LGBTQ+ community Zuppi wrote that building bridges with the community was a “difficult process still unfolding.” He recognized that “doing nothing and often leads to the adoption of positions that are both contrasting and extreme.” Zuppi’s family also has strong institutional ties: His father worked for the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano and his mother was the niece of Cardinal Carlo Confalonieri dean of the College of Cardinals in the 1960s and 1970s Position: Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest Past experience: Twice elected head of the umbrella group of European bishops conferences Known by his peers as a serious theologian is a leading contender among conservatives He has served as the archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest since 2002 and was made a cardinal by John Paul the following year Holding doctorates in theology and canon law and champions the church’s positions on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage and has also resisted suggestions that Catholics who remarry after divorce be able to receive communion He stated in 2015 that divorced Catholics should only be permitted communion if they remain sexually abstinent in their new marriage An advocate for traditional family structures he helped organize Francis’ 2014 and 2015 Vatican meetings on the family Erdő served as president of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences helping to foster collaboration among Catholic bishops across Europe and to address contemporary issues facing the church on the continent While careful to avoid taking part in Hungary’s often tumultuous political life Erdő has maintained a close relationship with the country’s rightist populist government which provides generous subsidies to Christian churches He has been reluctant to take positions on several of the government’s policies that divided society in Hungary such as public campaigns that villainized migrants and refugees and laws that eroded the rights of LGBTQ+ communities When hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers entered Europe in 2015 fleeing war and deprivation in the Middle East and Africa Erdő emphasized that the church had a Christian duty to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need but stopped short of the full-throated advocacy for migrants that was one of Francis’ top priorities Position: Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops; president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America under Francis Peru; head of the Augustinian religious order to the Vatican in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church Prevost has a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals have and there has long been a taboo against a U.S given the geopolitical power already wielded by the United States in the secular sphere could be a first because he’s also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru first as a missionary and then as an archbishop Prevost was also twice elected prior general Francis clearly had an eye on him for years moving him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo until Francis brought him to Rome in 2023 to assume the presidency of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America In that job he would have kept in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in the part of the world that counts still counts the most Catholics he presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made when he added three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope Francis again showed his esteem by appointing Prevost to the most senior rank of cardinals suggesting he would at least be Francis’ choice in an any future conclave Prevost’s comparative youth could count against him if his brother cardinals don’t want to commit to a pope who might reign for another two decades the communications director for Prevost’s old diocese in Chiclayo remembers the cardinal rising each day and having breakfast with his fellow priests after saying his prayers he maintains good humor and joy,” Purisaca said in an email Experience: Member of Order of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers; longtime president and then vice president of the Scandinavian bishops conference Even though he heads a tiny Catholic diocese is on a few insider lists as a possible papal contender for the conservative camp He has been the bishop of Stockholm — a diocese that covers the whole of predominantly Lutheran though largely secular Sweden — since 1998 and was made a cardinal by Francis in 2017 It was the first time Sweden had ever had a cardinal grew up in Sweden as a Lutheran and converted to Catholicism when he was 20 he became the first ethnically Swedish bishop of the country since the Reformation centuries earlier with a master’s degree in modern languages — English He also studied theology and philosophy in Bruges Arborelius has opposed the ordination of women as priests but did suggest in 2017 that a college of women who would give advice to the pontiff could be created He has shared Francis’ welcoming approach to migrants and has spoken in favor of legislation against “ecocide,” or serious environmental damage Arborelius was one of two envoys sent by Francis to the German archdiocese of Cologne to investigate possible mistakes by senior church officials in handling past sexual abuse cases In a 2022 meeting with the editors of European Jesuit journals Francis praised Arborelius as a fearless proponent of dialogue and a model for others to follow He talks to everybody and isn’t against anybody,” Francis said “I believe that a person like him can indicate the right path to follow.” But Arborelius told Swedish broadcaster SVT that he had asked the late pontiff to be relieved of the duties of cardinal and wanted to return to his monastery in southern Sweden He said it was “highly unlikely” that a Swede like him would be elected pope Experience: Member of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Pizzaballa is on the young side to be pope but he is a favorite of many Italian Vatican watchers eager to see an Italian take back the papacy after three non-Italians He has served in Jerusalem for more than three decades moving to the city from his native Italy just a month after his ordination Pizzaballa served as custodian of the Holy Land for 12 years responsible for all of the Catholic properties in the region Francis appointed Pizzaballa to fill the vacant seat of the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem — the representative of Catholics in Israel Jordan and the Palestinian territories — and made it official in 2020 Pizzaballa was elevated to cardinal in 2023 Pizzaballa has translated various liturgical texts into the language for the Catholic communities in Israel He gained favor in Israel after offering to take the place of children being held hostage in Gaza a week after the Oct Pizzaballa warned in an interview with The Associated Press that the region’s 2,000-year-old Christian community has come under increasing attack with Israel’s government emboldening extremists who have harassed clergy and vandalized religious property at a quickening pace Pizzaballa has traveled extensively around the region including to help celebrate a special pre-Christmas Mass in Gaza last year so the war will finish and we will rebuild,” the cardinal said now called Congo; president of the Spanish bishops conference has crusaded against hunger worldwide and would likely continue Francis’ commitment to putting the church in the service of the neediest The Spanish church’s tumultuous attempts to come to terms with sexual abuse in its ranks could work against Omella who would also be on the older side for a pope meaning his pontificate would likely be short and transitional Born in a village in Spain’s Aragon region Omella was ordained in 1970 and became archbishop of Barcelona in 2015 Francis made Omella a cardinal two years later and named him to his small group of advisers in 2023 Omella has praised Francis for emphasizing the joyful message of the Gospels Omella shares Francis’ social vision of the church and has been active in the Spanish Catholic NGO Manos Unidas In a 2022 letter entitled “Combating Indifference,” Omella wrote that hunger in the poorest countries was the result of unchecked capitalism “Our goal is to transform the established (economic) structures to correct the deep and growing gap between the rich and poor,” he wrote But also like Francis and other church leaders Omella has had trouble handling the enormously painful history of sexual abuse by clergy in the Catholic Church Omella’s term as president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference from 2000 to 2024 coincided with a confrontation with Spain’s government over the issue the Spanish church conducted its own audit of sexual abuse apologized to the victims and has since offered economic compensation to them But Omella dismissed the results of government polling data that pointed to a much higher total of victims When asked by Spain’s National Radio how he felt about being considered a candidate to succeed Francis Omella stayed true to his reputation of modesty and laughed off the possibility “There are excellent cardinals who will know how to take the helm of the church “Others will know how to take up the legacy of the pope and carry it forward.” Experience: Coordinator of the Vatican’s Council of the Economy; president of German bishops conference; president of the commission of European bishops conferences If the cardinals want to elect someone who would continue Francis’ unfinished business making the Catholic Church more attuned to the needs of ordinary lay Catholics Marx has been the archbishop of Munich and Freising — one of Germany’s most prominent dioceses — since 2008 and was made a cardinal by Benedict in 2010 He was chosen by Francis as a key adviser in 2013 and was named to head the council overseeing Vatican finances during reforms and belt-tightening A former head of the German Bishops’ Conference he is a strong proponent of the controversial “synodal path” process of dialogue in the German church that began in 2020 as a response to the clergy sexual abuse scandal which has contributed to large numbers of people leaving the church The reform process has drawn opposition from conservatives and suspicion from the Vatican Marx offered to resign over the church’s “catastrophic” mishandling of clergy abuse cases declaring that the scandals had brought the church to “a dead end.” But Francis swiftly rejected the offer a report that Marx’s archdiocese commissioned into abuse over recent decades faulted the cardinal over his own handling of two cases Marx said he would look over those cases “to learn from them” but didn’t renew his resignation offer Marx said the church still needed to do more to reach out to abuse victims and acknowledged that he himself had “overlooked the people affected.” He added that “is inexcusable.” He stressed the importance of pushing forward reforms saying that the church wouldn’t be able to work through the abuse crisis successfully “without really deep renewal.” He insisted that celibacy wouldn’t be scrapped altogether but said he sees a “question mark” over “whether it should be taken as a basic precondition for every priest.” Also that year Marx apologized for discrimination against gay people by the church Experience: Prefect of Vatican’s liturgy office; head of the Vatican’s charity office Cor Unum; secretary of Vatican’s missionary office; archbishop of Conakry has become something of a figurehead for the conservative wing among cardinals even if his chances of securing the necessary votes to become pope are now slim He was long considered the best hope for an African pope but had a fairly spectacular falling out with Francis that may have spoiled any chance of winning over moderates When he was first made a bishop in 1979 by John Paul He headed the Vatican’s charity office Cor Unum and then But he clashed on several occasions with Francis when he and Benedict co-authored a book in advocating the “necessity” of continued celibacy for Roman Catholic priests The book came out as Francis was weighing whether to allow married priests in the Amazon to address a shortage there Some alleged that Sarah manipulated Benedict into lending the retired pope’s name and moral authority to a book that had all the appearances of being a counterweight to the current pope’s own teaching The prospect of a retired pope trying to influence the current pope was the nightmare scenario canon lawyers and theologians warned about in 2013 when Benedict retired and chose to retain the white cassock of the papacy and call himself “emeritus Pope Benedict XVI.” In the end Benedict removed his name from future editions of the book but the episode exacerbated the tensions between conservatives and Francis remained loyal to Francis and denied he had manipulated Benedict Francis dismissed Benedict’s secretary and several months later retired Sarah as the Vatican’s liturgy chief Even Sarah’s supporters lamented the episode hurt his future papal chances Experience: Head of the Vatican’s office for bishops; president of Pontifical Commission for Latin America; archbishop of Quebec Canada; rector of seminary in Colombia; member of the Sulpician religious order has long been on many a list of “papabile,” or cardinals possessing the characteristics of a possible pope pastoral experience and familiarity with Latin America which counts more Catholics than any other region But his chances may have dimmed after he was accused of misconduct by a woman as part of a class-action lawsuit in his former archdiocese of Quebec Ouellet strenuously denied the allegations and Francis shelved the church investigation into him after a church investigator determined there weren’t enough elements to bring forward a canonical trial Ouellet led the Vatican’s influential bishops office for over a decade overseeing the key clearinghouse for potential candidates to head dioceses around the world Francis kept Ouellet in the job until 2023 even though Ouellet had originally been appointed by the more conservative Benedict Though Ouellet himself is considered more of a conservative than Francis he still selected pastorally minded bishops to reflect Francis’ belief that bishops should “smell like the sheep” of their flock Ouellet defended priestly celibacy for the Roman Catholic Church and upheld the ban on women’s ordination but called for women to have a greater role in church governance He kept good contacts with the Latin American church having headed the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for Latin America for over a decade the Vatican’s bishops’ office started taking charge of investigating bishops accused of covering up for predator priests a job that would have made Ouellet no friends among those sanctioned but may have also given him lots of otherwise confidential information about fellow cardinals Experience: Edited the Catechism of the Catholic Church the compendium of church teaching; member of the Dominican religious order and thus on paper seems to have the chops to appeal to conservatives he became associated with one of Francis’ most controversial moves by defending his outreach to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics as an “organic development of doctrine,” not the rupture that some conservatives contended Schoenborn’s parents divorced when he was a teen He also took heat from the Vatican when he criticized its past refusal to sanction high-ranking sexual abusers including his predecessor as archbishop of Vienna Schoenborn has expressed support for civil unions and women as deacons and was instrumental in editing the 1992 update of the Catechism of the Catholic Church the handbook of the church’s teaching that Benedict had spearheaded when he headed the Vatican’s doctrine office He has been good-natured in indulging reporters who swarm cardinals each morning as they arrive for the preconclave meetings offering responses in a variety of languages depending on the journalist asking Asked in Italian what sort of pope might be chosen Schoenborn recalled that Francis’ big meetings about the future of the church suggested continuity with Francis’ focus on the church in the developing world “It was evident during the synod the weight and importance shifted towards the ‘South’ — Africa (OSV News) — U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the Vatican April 26 ahead of the funeral Mass for Pope Francis.  which would allow Russia to control Ukrainian territory it seized by warfare But a counterproposal from Ukrainian officials would in part include security guarantees and would seek to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild damage caused by Russia’s invasion and attacks “Good meeting,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on the social media platform X including a photo of himself and Trump in discussion in the basilica Hoping for results on everything we covered Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic A spokesperson for the White House called the meeting “productive.” “Nothing like some tough diplomacy in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz wrote on X In a lengthy post on his social media platform Truth Social Trump criticized media coverage of his negotiations and suggested that arguments that Ukraine “should get back territory,” are “ridiculous requests.” But Trump also appeared to change his tone on Russian President Vladimir Putin there was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!” Trump wrote Russia launched a missile and drone attack on Kyiv just days prior to the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting at St killing at least 12 people and wounding over 70 in the biggest attack on Ukraine’s capital this year Russia’s aerial assault began at 1 a.m Trump and Zelenskyy were among the world leaders who attended the papal funeral Other attendees included former President Joe Biden Complex seating arrangements at the funeral sought to avoid placing traditional enemies and nations at war near each other in his capacity as Ukraine’s head of state was seated ahead of Russia’s representative Bipartisan groups from both the U.S House and Senate also represented their respective chambers at the funeral one of the senators who attended the funeral “We must hold on to the message of Pope Francis of love and respect for one another — it’s needed now more than ever.” Peter’s Square and said the late pontiff “dedicated his life to the church and Christ’s mission.” After a funeral Mass and procession April 26, Pope Francis’ mortal remains were taken to St. Mary Major for burial at that ancient basilica Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington