Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Cardinals begin choosing new pope in largest ever conclave

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 7 May 2025 12:22
4 Min Read

The 2025 papal conclave begins under Michelangelo’s frescoes as 133 Catholic cardinals cast votes for the next pope after Francis.

Listen
  • x
  • Cardinals begin choosing new pope in largest ever conclave
    A view of the Sistine Chapel where cardinals gather to elect the new pope, at the Vatican, on May 6, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP)

The 2025 papal conclave officially begins Wednesday afternoon, as 133 Catholic cardinals from across the globe gather beneath Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope after Francis.

This marks not only the largest, but potentially the most unpredictable conclave in modern Catholic history.

The cardinals, who have met daily since April 28 for pre-conclave discussions, are now secluded in Casa Santa Maria, must leave their mobile phones, and are barred from outside communication until a new pontiff is chosen.

Their only movement is the bus ride to and from the Sistine Chapel, where two rounds of secret ballots will be held every day.

As tradition dictates, smoke signals will indicate the outcome of each session: black for no result, white when a new pope is chosen. If no decision is reached after three days, the cardinals will pause for reflection before resuming the voting.

It is worth highlighting that one of Pope Francis’s enduring legacies was the creation of a diverse but divided College of Cardinals. Some members align with the progressive agenda he championed, while others advocate for a more conservative return to tradition.

“There’s a lot of confusion,” said Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, Archbishop of Jakarta, who arrived late to Rome and is catching up with the debate. “We have heard many voices, it’s not easy to draw conclusions.”

Related News

Cardinals continue voting in 2025 Papal Conclave to elect new Pope

Macron accused of lobbying for French papal candidate

The challenge of electing a leader capable of navigating a fragmented Church while addressing a crisis in global order has left many uncertain about the outcome.

Who will be the next pope after Francis?

Speculation surrounding the papal candidates for 2025 has only intensified following Pope Francis’s death at age 88 last month. The list of potential successors grows by the day, with more than 20 names circulating in Vatican corridors.

Among the frontrunners is Robert Prevost, a US cardinal described as a thoughtful moderate with a “keen capacity to listen.” Prevost’s rise has somewhat eclipsed Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, whose reputation as a skilled diplomat is countered by critics who see him as uninspiring.

After the death of #PopeFrancis, the #Vatican is preparing to choose his successor.

Several Cardinals are believed to have the highest chances of becoming the next Pope.

Which Cardinal do you think will be the one to bring the white smoke?#PopeFrancisDeath pic.twitter.com/Mjiu2NLMlU

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 22, 2025

Another high-profile candidate is Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, dubbed “the Asian Francis,” though his record on clerical abuse cases has drawn criticism. Other progressives in the mix include Matteo Zuppi, Jean-Claude Hollerich, Timothy Radcliffe, Michael Czerny, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the latter known for his peace work in occupied al-Quds.

On the traditionalist side are Péter Erdő of Hungary and Robert Sarah of Guinea, the latter a vocal critic of Francis’s papacy. Also backing a conservative shift are Raymond Burke, a Trump-aligned US bishop, and Gerhard Müller of Germany, who warned of potential schism if an orthodox pope is not chosen.

Calls for unity in the Catholic Church

Despite differing views, cardinals appear united in their belief that the new pontiff must help restore Catholic Church unity. One Vatican official noted the collective desire for a pope who can be “a bridge and a guide for a disorientated humanity.”

“The one thing they can agree on, whether they are far left or far right, is that they all want more involvement in the government of the next pope,” said Andrea Vreede, Vatican correspondent for Dutch public broadcaster NOS.

The conclave is expected to be swift, possibly lasting only three to four days. According to Severina Bartonitschek of Catholic news agency KNA, the key responsibility awaiting the next pontiff is to unify the Church and confront internal crises, particularly clerical abuse cases.

  • Papal conclave
  • Pope Francis
  • Vatican

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS