Habemus Papam! Peace Be With You – The World Welcomes Pope Leo XIV

Rome, 8 May 2025

It is a curious thing: the fate of nations and the prayers of peasants alike hinge, for a breathless hour, upon a wisp of smoke. The world, so often deaf to whispers, pauses for the silent voice that rises from the Sistine Chapel – white, not grey, not black, but pure white – and in that instant, a million hearts unite in expectation, as the ancient bells of St Peter’s Basilica answer with a clamour that outpaces the newswires.

The square below, swelled by pilgrims and doubters alike, fixes its gaze upon the loggia, where the curtain trembles. The ancient formula resounds – “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” – and the centuries roll forward. Our generation now stands witness as Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, O.S.A., takes the name Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome. History turns on the smallest hinges. The son of a city famed for its steel and its struggle – Chicago – finds himself heir to the throne of a fisherman.

Habemus Papam: The Announcement Heard Around the World

It is easy to forget, in the spectacle of pageantry, that at its core the election of a Pope is an act of surrender. “Thank you for saying yes,” murmurs the editorialist; yet, the real wonder is not that a man accepts this mantle, but that he must first lay down his own ambitions and become – for the world – a servant. Pope Leo XIV, as he greeted us with “Peace be with all of you!”, reminded us that the Church is forever entrusted not to the strong or the clever, but to those willing to walk in the shadow of the Cross.

Robert Francis Prevost: From the Streets of Chicago to the Chair of Peter

Born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian heritage, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent, the young Robert Francis grew up with a trinity of languages echoing through his household: faith, service, and curiosity. His earliest days were marked by the ordinary heroism of a Catholic family, and by the quiet drama of a city forever in flux, where hope and hardship intertwine.

He entered Villanova University, a place known for cultivating intellect and spirit alike, emerging with a degree in Mathematics – a discipline of order and paradox, no doubt pleasing to a mind destined for ecclesial responsibility. Yet numbers did not satisfy his deepest hunger. Drawn to the Augustinian Order, he professed his vows in 1981 and was ordained in Rome in 1982, his path winding ever closer to the heart of the Church.

A Decade in Peru

It is a paradox worthy of Chesterton: the missionary leaves behind everything, only to find everything returned to him, multiplied by the faces of those he serves. Sent to Peru, Fr. Prevost walked among the poor, sharing bread and hope in equal measure. He was not content to be a distant overseer. Rather, he became parish priest, seminary professor, judicial vicar – wearing every hat, so long as it served the Gospel. Those years, marked by difficulty and joy, honed his understanding of a Church that is truly universal.

Here in the Peruvian sun, he learned to speak the language of solidarity. The memory of his time in Chiclayo and Trujillo, among the bustling parishes and silent chapels, would never leave him. Years later, as Bishop of Chiclayo, he would recall the scent of the soil and the laughter of children running after the processional cross.

The Augustinian Prior General: Pilgrim Among Pilgrims

Elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2001, Fr. Prevost became a pilgrim among pilgrims, travelling the continents not as a prince, but as a brother. He knew the solitude of airports, the warmth of religious houses, the challenge of reconciling the Order’s storied past with the pressing needs of a restless present. It is said he travelled to Kerala, India, in 2004 and 2006, treading the red earth that so many missionaries before him had blessed with tears and hope.

In Kerala, at St Francis Xavier Church, Kaloor, he presided over the ordination of six deacons, an event etched in the memory of the local faithful. Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Varapuzha, reflecting on these visits, recalls a man of “simplicity, humility, and missionary zeal,” whose presence in the backwaters and in the cities alike was a sign of the Church’s enduring unity.

Encounters in Kerala: The Pope Who Walked Our Soil

There is a certain wonder in seeing the man who once broke bread at our tables ascend to the Papacy. Kerala’s faithful remember Pope Leo XIV not as a distant dignitary, but as a guest who preferred local food, who journeyed in humble vehicles, and who rejoiced in the song of children at Shenbagam School in Pollachi. Priests recall his “profound affection for the Church, grounded in prayer and simplicity.”

His time among us was marked by a remarkable absence of pomp. Fr. Jacob Mullassery, who accompanied him on both journeys, notes how “his humility profoundly affected us all.” For many, his election as Pope is not merely a matter of pride, but a gentle affirmation of the dignity of every Christian, whether in the Vatican or in a small parish in Aluva.

The Path to Rome: From Mission to Curia

Returning to the United States, Fr. Prevost was elected Provincial Prior before being summoned once again to Latin America – this time as Apostolic Administrator, and then Bishop, of Chiclayo. His episcopal motto, “In Illo uno unum” – “In the One, we are one” – is less a slogan than a map for the Church: unity, not uniformity; solidarity, not sameness.

As Bishop, he was known for seeking out the poor, for sitting beside those whom society had forgotten, and for urging the Church to be “a bridge, not a fortress.” He brought this sensibility to his role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, where his task was to find shepherds for the global flock. Colleagues describe a man who listened first and spoke last, whose decisions were shaped by prayer as much as policy.

The Election: Continuity and the Courage to Renew

The conclave of May 2025 arrived as a storm after a long summer – charged with the expectation of both continuity and change. Pope Francis, who passed away on 21 April, had set the Church upon a course of dialogue, ecological stewardship, and missionary conversion. The cardinals, seeking one who could balance tradition with renewal, found in Cardinal Prevost the embodiment of a paradox: progressive in outlook, ancient in heart.

Choosing the name Leo XIV, he invoked the memory of Leo XIII, whose encyclical Rerum Novarum transformed the Church’s social teaching. The message was unmistakable: the Church, under Leo XIV, will be no stranger to the world’s suffering, nor will she cease to speak for justice and peace.

The First Blessing: Peace as a Mission

On the loggia, in the evening’s golden light, Pope Leo XIV raised his hands and spoke: “Peace be with you all!” The greeting of the Risen Christ, offered not with triumph but with tenderness, rippled outward from Rome to the farthest villages. He called us to build bridges, to become artisans of peace in a fractured world.

Echoing the words of Pope Francis, he declared, “God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail!” It was a moment not for slogans, but for substance: a call to prayer, to patience, to the long labour of reconciliation.

A Pope for the Peripheries: Synodality and Mission

From his first addresses, Pope Leo XIV set forth his vision: a Church that listens, a Church that walks with the excluded, a Church not afraid of the periphery. He speaks often of “synodality,” a word that sounds modern but is as old as Pentecost. He calls us not to fear difference, but to discover the unity hidden within our diversity.

He has asked us to “walk together, foster communion, and engage in authentic dialogue.” These are not abstract ideals. For Pope Leo XIV, synodality is as practical as visiting a sick neighbour or welcoming the stranger. It is the Church, not as an institution above history, but as a companion within it.

The Indian Connection: Kerala’s Joy, Malankara’s Prayer

In Kerala, the bells tolled long into the night. The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council offered prayerful support, seeing in Pope Leo XIV’s missionary years a mirror of their own journey. “Let him be able to take a realistic look at present day challenges and lead the Church and society in the path of peace and unity,” declared the Council. The joy was personal, too. Priests and laity alike recalled the Pope’s visits, the simple meals, the shared prayers.

Fr. Wilson Injarapu, Vicar Superior of the Augustinian Vicariate in India, voiced the hope of many: “Having an Augustinian as the Holy Father is a significant blessing for us. It also underscores our obligation to pray for him and bolster his mission via our prayers and sacrifices.”

Among the Malankara faithful, the sense of connection is deep. The Pope who once walked our soil now intercedes for us all. The Church’s universality – so often spoken of, so rarely felt – has become, for us, a living reality.

Simplicity Amidst Grandeur

It is tempting to see only the grandeur – the gold, the marble, the thundering choir. Yet, the man at the centre remains the same friar who found contentment in simplicity. During his stays in Aluva and Edakochi, he accepted what was given, declined what was superfluous, and prayed long into the night. His humility is not an affectation but a habit born of long practice.

Priests who shared his table remark on his “profoundly spiritual” character and his devotion to silent Eucharistic Adoration. He once said, in the tradition of St Augustine, that “with you I am a Christian, for you I am a bishop.” It is a formula as old as the Church, yet ever new in its challenge.

The Order of Saint Augustine: An Ancient Family’s Joy

For the Order of Saint Augustine, the election of Pope Leo XIV is a moment of deep joy and responsibility. The Augustinian charism, shaped by centuries of theological reflection and missionary toil, finds new expression in the ministry of the Successor of Peter. The Order’s history in India dates back to 1572, and its continued presence in Kerala is a testament to the enduring vitality of the religious life.

Fr. Metro Xavier, OSA, reflecting on his interactions with the new Pope, says, “His spiritual life was grounded in prayer and simplicity.” This, then, is the lesson for us all: the path to greatness is paved with small acts of faithfulness.

Pope Leo XIV and the World: A Mission for the Present Hour

The world looks to Rome with questions, anxieties, and hopes. War and violence shake many nations; the poor demand justice; the Church is asked to be both ancient and ever new. Pope Leo XIV steps into this hour not as a conqueror, but as a shepherd. He has pledged to continue the legacy of Pope Francis – to dialogue, to care for the earth, to defend the dignity of the marginalised.

It is not an easy path. The storm has not passed. But in the words of Pope Paul VI, echoed anew: “The Pope believes he must follow no other path than that of trust in Jesus Christ, who cares for His Church more than anyone else.” It is the Pope’s paradox: to govern by surrender, to lead by listening, to speak with the authority of one who first learns in silence.

The Holy Father’s First Petition

On his first evening, Pope Leo XIV led us in prayer to Our Lady of Pompeii. Together with the crowds in St Peter’s Square, he implored Mary’s intercession for the Church, for the world, for peace. His blessing, humble and solemn, seemed to draw together every corner of the earth. It is here, in the communion of prayer, that the true mystery of the Papacy is revealed: not a ruler over, but a father with.

The Church in Hope, the World in Expectation

So we stand – as did those before us and those who will follow – on the threshold of a new papacy. Pope Leo XIV begins his ministry with the blessing of peace. He inherits a Church both wounded and beautiful, and invites us to walk beside him, not behind. His life, marked by paradox and service, is a sign to all: that greatness is found not in grasping, but in giving.

As we raise our prayers for the new Pope, let us remember that the white smoke rises not from the chimney alone, but from every heart longing for peace, unity, and hope. The Church, ancient and young, greets Leo XIV – not as a stranger, but as one who, by the grace of God, walks among us still.

Cardinals Reflect on Qualities of the Next Pope Amid Days of Prayer and Communion

Vatican City – 5 May 2025

As the Sistine Chapel stands readied and the Domus Sanctae Marthae quietens in anticipation, the College of Cardinals prepares for the sacred responsibility that lies before them: the discernment of the next Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, and Servant of the Servants of God. With the conclave due to commence on 7 May, cardinals from across the globe have been gathering in Rome, not merely to identify names, but to reflect together on the qualities required in the next Pontiff.

Amid these days of spiritual preparation, His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, offered a rare insight into the prayerful conversations taking place behind closed doors. Speaking after one of the general congregations held in the Vatican on Monday to Religion News Service (RNS), Cardinal Cleemis remarked, “We are still reflecting on the affairs of the universal Church and also searching for a major person to follow the pontificate.”

As head of the Syro-Malankara Church—rooted in the ancient West Syriac tradition and in full communion with Rome—Cardinal Cleemis brings to the College a perspective shaped by both Eastern liturgical depth and global pastoral sensitivity. His presence among the electors symbolises the continued integration of the Eastern Catholic traditions in the life of the universal Church, affirming the vision of communion across rites and continents.

Notably, Cardinal Cleemis emphasised that deliberations are not defined by nationality or region. “It is not about origin,” he observed, “but about the heart and the service that the next Holy Father must offer to the Church.” His words echo the unity and spiritual focus that have come to characterise these preparatory sessions.

Other cardinals voiced similar sentiments. Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Apostolic Prefect in Mongolia and among the youngest cardinal electors, reminded journalists, “Right now we are in prayer, and we need to remain calm.” His remark encapsulated the tone of the general congregations—days of listening, of exchange, and of waiting upon the Holy Spirit.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, also noted the “sense of unity and communion” experienced among the prelates—despite their varied backgrounds and pastoral realities.

With 133 cardinal electors eligible to vote, surpassing the 120 limit initially set by Pope Saint Paul VI, logistical accommodations have been arranged. The Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the cardinals reside during the conclave, has been carefully prepared. Lots were drawn to assign rooms among its two wings, ensuring a peaceful and secure environment for prayer, rest, and discretion.

To preserve the integrity of the process, cardinal electors have been respectfully invited to set aside mobile devices, and all forms of digital communication have been suspended within the residence. This quieting of external noise mirrors the interior silence sought by each cardinal as they prayerfully prepare to cast their vote with the words, “Eligo in Summum Pontificem”—I elect as Supreme Pontiff.

Meanwhile, in St. Peter’s Square and across the Catholic world, the faithful continue to keep vigil. From the heart of Europe to the hills of Kerala, incense rises and candles are lit. Letters from Catholic youth movements, including Kamino in Belgium, have expressed hopes that the next Pope be not only a teacher but a pilgrim—a shepherd with the scent of his sheep, attentive to young people, to women, and to the laity.

“Let the conclave not be a closed space. Let it become a wellspring of spiritual renewal,” read one such message. It was shared widely online by popular Catholic voices such as Sister Xiskya and Padre Guilherme, both of whom have become known for engaging the digital continent with faith and creativity.

The voice of the Syro-Malankara Church joins this chorus of prayer. Across our parishes and religious houses, and especially in Kerala, our people are uniting in the Rosary, in the Liturgy of the Hours, and in the celebration of the Holy Qurbono. In this month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, we entrust the cardinal electors to her intercession, as the apostles once gathered around her in the Upper Room.

In this period of sede vacante, what animates the Church is not strategy but surrender—not calculation, but communion.

As Cardinal Cleemis walks with his fellow electors into the Sistine Chapel in the coming hours, he carries not only his own discernment, but the spiritual closeness of the Syro-Malankara faithful, and the legacy of a Church that continues to bridge East and West.

The cardinals are not searching for a ruler. They are seeking a man of prayer—someone who will kneel before the Eucharist, and who will rise each morning with a heart open to the Spirit. May their listening be deep, and may the next shepherd of the Church be one who walks humbly with God.

Integrity of the Conclave Safeguarded: Officials Take Oath of Secrecy in the Pauline Chapel

Vatican City – 5 May 2025

In a solemn rite imbued with gravity and ecclesial responsibility, the Vatican on Monday evening witnessed a significant preparatory step ahead of the upcoming papal conclave. At 5:30 PM, within the sacred confines of the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, those entrusted with auxiliary roles in the conclave gathered to take the oath of secrecy—a foundational act that underlines the Church’s commitment to preserving the confidentiality and sanctity of the papal election.

Presiding over the ceremony was Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who administered the oath to clergy and laypersons alike—each one individually approved by the Camerlengo and the three cardinal assistants designated for this period of sede vacante.

This act was conducted under the prescriptions of the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, promulgated by Pope Saint John Paul II on 22 February 1996. The constitution outlines, in precise and unwavering terms, the safeguards necessary for the freedom and legitimacy of the conclave, and imposes a perpetual obligation of secrecy on all involved.

Among those present to take the oath were a wide spectrum of individuals whose roles, though behind the scenes, are indispensable to the smooth and reverent functioning of the conclave. These included the Secretary of the College of Cardinals; the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations; seven papal Masters of Ceremonies; an ecclesiastic assistant to the presiding cardinal; two Augustinian religious from the Papal Sacristy; confessors in multiple languages; medical professionals; elevator operators; kitchen and housekeeping staff; florists and technicians; those assigned to transport cardinal electors from Casa Santa Marta to the Apostolic Palace; as well as personnel from Vatican Security and the Swiss Guard.

Each individual, having been instructed on the solemn import of their duty, pronounced and signed the prescribed oath in the presence of Cardinal Farrell, with two Apostolic Protonotaries bearing witness to the act.

The text of the oath binds them to “maintain absolute secrecy with regard to all matters directly or indirectly related to the ballots and scrutiny for the election of the Supreme Pontiff,” and reiterates the prohibition of “audio or video recordings, under penalty of latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.”

While their names may never be spoken from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, the fidelity of these individuals forms the unseen architecture of a process that holds within it the discernment of the Successor of Peter. In this moment of history, as the Church waits with hope and prayer for the one who shall be chosen as the next Pope, it is the quiet steadfastness of many that prepares the way.

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, united with the universal Church in prayer, recognises with gratitude the silent service of those who bear the weight of this sacred responsibility. As the cardinal electors prepare to enter the Sistine Chapel on 7 May, may the Holy Spirit continue to hover over the waters of the conclave, guarding every heart, every word, and every action—so that the choice made may be worthy of the Lord whom we serve.

Jubilee and the Sede Vacante: Echoes of the Year 1700 in 2025

Vatican City – 3 May 2025

As pilgrims continue to cross the threshold of the Holy Door for the 2025 Jubilee Year proclaimed by His Holiness Pope Francis, the Church finds itself in a solemn interlude: the Sede Vacante. This moment of sacred stillness is not without precedent. In the Jubilee of 1700, Pope Innocent XII died before the Holy Year concluded, leaving the Church in similar expectation and prayer.

Preserved in the medal collection of the Vatican Apostolic Library is a commemorative coin from that earlier Sede Vacante. Its imagery and inscription—Non vos relinquam orphanos (“I will not leave you orphans,” John 14:18)—convey both historical continuity and theological promise. The Church, then as now, pauses not in absence but in grace-filled anticipation.

Parallels Across Centuries

Professor Eleonora Giampiccolo, Director of the Numismatics Department at the Vatican Library, explains that the coin, minted following the death of Innocent XII, bears the dove of the Holy Spirit over the Latin words from the Gospel of John. “It speaks not only to the moment of loss,” she said, “but to the trust in the Holy Spirit who continues to guide the Church.”

This same trust now anchors the faithful as the cardinals prepare to enter conclave on 7 May 2025. The symbolic resonance is profound: the Holy Year and the Sede Vacante intertwine once more, just as they did 325 years ago.

Two Popes, One Heart for the Poor

The similarities between Pope Innocent XII and Pope Francis are striking. Innocent XII, affectionately remembered as the father of the poor, devoted his pontificate to the marginalised. His Lateran-based institutions and the San Michele complex in Ripa Grande provided orphans with both shelter and training.

Pope Francis, likewise, entrusted his papacy to the forgotten and excluded. His decision to donate his possessions for prisoner rehabilitation before his passing reflected the same Christ-centred simplicity and love that defined Innocent XII’s final acts.

In both lives, the witness was clear: true apostolic authority is exercised through service, not status.

Messages in Metal and Memory

The coin from 1700 is not merely a relic but a catechesis in metal. It speaks, as Professor Giampiccolo noted, “to those who could not read but who could recognise the symbols of divine guidance.”

Other medals from that year carry the same spiritual weight. One features a pelican opening its own breast to feed its young—a centuries-old Christian image of sacrificial love. Another depicts the Holy Door already opened, symbolising that divine grace proceeds uninterrupted, even when a Pope is unable to perform the rite.

These medals, engraved not only with images but with meaning, were crafted not only for commemoration but for communion—to unite the faithful in memory and hope.

The Spirit at the Centre

When Innocent XII passed away in September 1700, the Church entered a nearly two-month period of prayer and expectation before the election of Pope Clement XI on 23 November. That same year, the Jubilee continued. The Holy Door, though not opened by the Pope himself due to illness, was opened by Cardinal de Bouillon, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals.

This year, the Holy Door stands open once more. Pilgrims continue to pass through it, bearing both petitions and gratitude, in a year now marked by both remembrance and renewal.

The coin’s inscription—“I will not leave you orphans”—offers reassurance rooted in Scripture. The Spirit, who has never abandoned the Church, continues to guide her in this present Sede Vacante, as in the past.

A Sacred Pause for Discernment

With the Sistine Chapel now prepared and the chimney installed, the cardinal electors will soon begin their sacred task. As they enter the conclave, they do so under the gaze of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who guided their predecessors through seasons of trial and transition.

This sacred moment is not a rupture but a continuation of divine providence.

The Holy Year, far from being halted, continues with deeper reflection. The Sede Vacante is not an absence but a space of prayer. And history, far from merely repeating itself, offers a mirror in which the Church can see more clearly the pattern of grace.

Eastern Churches Unite in Holy Qurbono for Pope Francis: A Deep Witness of Communion

Vatican City – 2 May 2025

In a deeply moving expression of communion, the heads and representatives of the Eastern Catholic Churches, along with their faithful, gathered in prayerful solidarity to offer the Holy Qurbono at St. Peter’s Basilica for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. The Eucharistic celebration, held under the auspices of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, formed part of the 7th Novemdiales Mass, a series of liturgies commemorating the Holy Father’s passing.

His Eminence Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, served as the chief celebrant. In his homily, he reflected on the Paschal mystery and the unique spiritual contributions of the Eastern Churches, calling their witness a “gift to the universality of the Church.”

From India, the presence of the Eastern Catholic Church leaders was both prominent and prayerful. His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and His Eminence Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, were among those in attendance, alongside His Eminence Cardinal Mar George Koovakattu.

Their presence stood as a testimony to the rich apostolic traditions of India’s Eastern Churches, rooted in the mission of St. Thomas the Apostle. The Malayalam offertory hymn, rendered during the liturgy, added a touch of spiritual and cultural depth, bringing the voice of Kerala’s faithful to the heart of the universal Church.

In his address, Cardinal Gugerotti noted with gratitude the participation of bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful from the Eastern Churches, whose presence “enriches the Church’s universality.” He acknowledged past misunderstandings between the East and the West, and spoke of the importance of continuing on the path of mutual respect and shared mission. “Pope Francis,” he said, “who taught us to love the diversity and richness of human expression, surely rejoices today to see us united in prayer for him and with him.”

Drawing attention to the plight of many Eastern Christians, especially those displaced from their ancient homelands, Cardinal Gugerotti invited the Church to stand with them—not merely through humanitarian aid, but through the spiritual solidarity of being one Body in Christ.

Concluding his homily, he urged the cardinals preparing for the upcoming conclave to turn to the words of St. Symeon the New Theologian as their prayer of discernment:

“Come, true light; come, eternal life; come, hidden mystery; come, nameless treasure; come, ineffable reality; come, inconceivable person; come, endless joy; come, light without evening; come, unfailing hope of all who are to be saved. Come, you who have always desired and desire my miserable soul…”

The liturgy was not merely a farewell to a Pope—it was a witness to the spiritual unity of the East and West, joined not in uniformity but in fidelity to the same Lord. From Kerala to Kyiv, from Antioch to Addis Ababa, the Church prayed as one Bride, awaiting her Bridegroom.

Chimney Installed at Sistine Chapel as Church Awaits New Pope

Vatican City – 2 May 2025

The unmistakable sign that a conclave is near has risen once more above the Sistine Chapel: a narrow chimney stack, set in place by the Vatican’s fire brigade, now stands poised to deliver smoke signals that will echo across the world.

Installed earlier this morning, the chimney will be used to communicate the results of the voting sessions that begin on 7 May 2025, when the College of Cardinals enters into sacred conclave to elect the next Bishop of Rome.

It is a structure humble in form yet profound in significance—an iron pipe that will announce the movement of the Holy Spirit through the quiet discernment of 135 cardinal electors. The chimney is not merely a conduit of smoke; it is a herald of history. In moments of black or white, it reveals whether the Church is still listening or whether she has heard.

Smoke that Speaks to the World

The chimney atop the Sistine Chapel will be the focal point of the world’s gaze once conclave begins. On each day of the conclave—except the first, which includes only one afternoon ballot—two votes will be held: one in the morning and one in the evening.

After each pair of ballots, the paper slips will be burned in a stove connected to the chimney. If no candidate has received the required two-thirds majority—at least 89 votes out of 135—the smoke will be black (fumata nera), a visible sign that the Church continues her prayerful search.

But when the moment of agreement arrives, when the will of God is discerned by the majority of hearts gathered beneath Michelangelo’s Last Judgement, the smoke will turn white (fumata bianca), and bells will peal across the square. The world will know: Habemus Papam—“We have a Pope.”

Ritual in an Age of Speed

In an era dominated by live broadcasts and instantaneous alerts, the persistence of such an ancient signal seems almost defiant. Yet therein lies its beauty. The Church, in these most sacred rites, slows down time itself. She returns to signs and symbols. She teaches us again how to wait.

This is no political assembly, no executive selection. It is the Bride of Christ in her bridal chamber, seeking to hear the voice of her Bridegroom. The chimney does not just emit smoke—it calls for silence, for reverence, for prayer.

The Malankara Church Waits in Communion

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, bound in communion with the Apostolic See and deeply rooted in the West Syriac tradition, watches with filial love and spiritual attentiveness. From the major cathedral in Pattom to the smallest mission stations scattered across the globe, incense will rise in tandem with the smoke above St. Peter’s.

We remember with devotion how His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, our beloved Major Archbishop-Catholicos, participated in the conclave of 2013 and stood as a visible bridge between the East and West. Though his age now places him beyond the voting threshold, his presence in Rome, along with that of many Syro-Malankara bishops and priests, offers a strong symbol of our Church’s ongoing unity with the universal Church.

As the chimney exhales its messages over the Vatican skyline, the Syro-Malankara Church exhales her prayers. With every Qurbono, every Qandīshā Alāhā, every whispered rosary and sung Shubḥo Lābūh, we join the chorus of faith that envelops the conclave.

The World Watches. The Church Prays.

With each puff of smoke, pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square will raise their eyes. Cameras will zoom in. Headlines will speculate. But behind the pageantry lies something far quieter: the sacred labour of discernment.

And beyond Vatican walls, in homes and chapels, the faithful are invited to participate—not through votes, but through prayer.

For it is not the chimney that announces the Pope. It is the Holy Spirit who elects him.

“Come, Holy Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of Your love. And You shall renew the face of the earth.”

Listening to the Spirit: Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Reflects Ahead of the Conclave

Rome – 1 May 2025

In the halls of the General Congregation, where the red-robed electors of the Universal Church meet in prayer and discernment, one voice carries the heritage of a Church born from the East, shaped by the Apostle Thomas, and faithful through centuries of trials. His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, stands once again among the College of Cardinals, preparing for the sacred task of choosing the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.

In a recent interview with The Pillar Catholic, Cardinal Cleemis shared reflections shaped by decades of ecclesial leadership, spiritual depth, and his unique role as shepherd of a Church both ancient in liturgy and vibrant in missionary witness.

A Mission Rooted in Apostolic Memory

Cardinal Cleemis was raised in the faith-rich soil of Kerala, where devotion to God forms part of the cultural fabric. “Faith is born with us,” he remarked, noting how the people of India, regardless of creed, often begin and end life in the presence of the divine.

Ordained a priest in 1986 and made a bishop in 2001, he was unanimously elected Major Archbishop-Catholicos by the Syro-Malankara Synod in 2007. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the College of Cardinals, making him the first-ever Cardinal of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

He now returns to the Sistine Chapel, participating in his second conclave as a papal elector—carrying with him the aspirations of his Church and the hopes of Eastern Catholics across the world.

Unity Through the Petrine Ministry

“The Petrine ministry offers a guarantee of communion and solidarity with humanity,” he said, reflecting on the role of the pope. “Peter was asked to strengthen his brethren. This task continues today, through the one chosen to sit in his place.”

For Cardinal Cleemis, the successor of Peter is more than a global religious figure. He is a man entrusted with preserving communion among the Churches, extending mercy to the margins of society, and guiding the faithful through the trials of this age.

As one of the senior leaders among the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris, he recognises the delicate responsibility of ensuring that the future Pope understands the rich heritage and present needs of Eastern traditions. He represents the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church at the conclave—a Church that has preserved the West Syriac liturgical tradition while living fully in communion with Rome.

Choosing the Next Pope: Focus on the Person, Not the Geography

When asked whether the next Pope should come from a particular region, such as Asia or Africa, he responded with clarity: “Look at the person, look at his orientation, his ability to be in communion, to speak as a man of peace. That is where our focus should be.”

His thoughts echoed a concern shared by many: that the next Bishop of Rome must offer not administration alone but fatherhood—pastoral in tone, apostolic in conviction, and rooted in a spirit of dialogue, not division.

A Church with a Spiritual, Not Political, Witness

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ call for “a Church for the poor,” Cardinal Cleemis affirmed the Church’s spiritual identity. “The Church is not the United Nations,” he observed. “It draws its strength from the Gospel, not from political power.”

He acknowledged the Church’s role in peace-building—not through military strength or diplomatic alliances, but by proclaiming the Gospel with conviction, and standing as a spiritual force amidst global conflicts.

“Our task is to bring people together, offer spiritual strength, and act as a voice of conscience,” he said. The Church’s ability to influence depends on the clarity of its witness, not on institutional might.

India’s Witness and Challenge

“The Christian is always a minority,” the Cardinal noted, “even in nations with large Christian populations, the depth of faith is what defines the few.”

In India, he said, the Church is blessed with freedom to worship and serve, despite challenges. It contributes to the nation’s educational and medical sectors and upholds Gospel values in dialogue with a pluralistic society. The occasional attacks or tensions are part of a wider struggle, but “we continue the mission with sincerity.”

The Cardinal confirmed that consultations with the Indian government take place regularly and expressed hope that mutual understanding would deepen.

A Conclave in Prayer

Amid the weight of this sacred task, Cardinal Cleemis keeps his gaze on the Holy Spirit. “I set apart time for prayer,” he said. “What the Lord wants me to do, I must do.”

He described the unique intimacy of the general congregations: “You are not talking to just one person. You’re speaking before the College of Cardinals—and the Pope may be among you, listening.”

For the outside world, a conclave may seem a political event. “But for me,” he said, “this is a deeply spiritual mission. I am choosing my father and head of the Church.”

From Bethany to the Conclave

His presence in the conclave is part of a larger narrative. The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, born of the reunion movement led by Venerable Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, now stands fully integrated into the Catholic communion. That one of its sons now elects the next Pope speaks of a journey from isolation to communion.

With quiet strength and theological clarity, Cardinal Cleemis enters the Sistine Chapel—as a voice from the East, bearing the light of a faith shaped by history and forged in fidelity.

Cardinals Seek Prayers of the Humble as Conclave Nears

Vatican City – 1 May 2025

As the sacred month of May dawns—a month traditionally devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary—the College of Cardinals has issued a heartfelt appeal to the faithful around the world: to join them in earnest prayer for divine guidance in their solemn task of electing the next Bishop of Rome.

With seven days remaining before the commencement of the conclave on 7 May, the request is more than ceremonial—it is a profound act of ecclesial humility. “We need everyone,” the cardinals declare. “We need the prayer of all.” In this appeal, voiced on the vigil of a Marian month and within the Octave of Eastertide, the successors of the apostles acknowledge a vital truth: that the discernment of the Church is never accomplished by hierarchs alone, but through the attentive listening of the entire Body of Christ.

Prayer, they affirmed in their joint statement, is the “true strength” of the Church—capable of fostering unity across every limb of the ecclesial body. And in the hush between pontificates, as the Apostolic See remains sede vacante, that strength becomes a necessity.

A Body Greater Than Its Parts

Reflecting on this call, Fr. Sylvain Detoc, O.P., a Dominican theologian teaching in Rome and Toulouse, offered insight into the theological depth of such a request. “Unity,” he said, “finds its source in the Holy Spirit.” Without the Spirit, he warned, the Church becomes “a kind of NGO”—a philanthropic institution perhaps, but emptied of its supernatural soul.

Fr. Detoc recalled how Pope Francis repeatedly reminded the faithful to “pray for me.” It was not a closing nicety—it was the core of his theology. The Church, in her essence, is a supernatural communion; not a mere institution, but a mystery. Her unity is not the product of strategic consensus, but of the Spirit descending upon those gathered, just as He did in the Upper Room.

As the cardinals prepare to enter the Sistine Chapel, the resemblance is not accidental. The Upper Room—where Mary and the apostles prayed for the coming of the Spirit—is the archetype for the conclave. “It is not merely a human matter of electing a leader,” Fr. Detoc remarked. “There is an opening of the heart to a work that surpasses us, that comes from above us, beyond us.”

The Marian Moment

The calendar of the Church, guided not by accident but by providence, aligns the beginning of this decisive week with 1 May—the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, and the start of Mary’s month. In this liturgical symmetry, the Church discerns a deeper invitation: to pray as Mary prayed, in humility and silence.

After the Ascension, it was Mary who remained with the apostles, praying—not instructing, not guiding, but simply remaining. It is this spirit of prayerful presence that now animates the Church.

As Fr. Detoc observed, “The prayer of the little ones holds the Church up.” He recounted a popular story: a renowned preacher, acclaimed for a sermon that moved an entire congregation, was gently corrected by the Holy Spirit. The conversions, he learned, came not from his eloquence, but from a poor old woman beneath the pulpit, praying her rosary.

This, then, is the mystery at hand: that the outcome of the conclave may well be shaped more by the prayers of cloistered nuns, bedridden grandparents, and schoolchildren murmuring Hail Marys than by any words spoken inside the Sistine Chapel.

Not a Human Project, But God’s Work Within Humanity

The Cardinals, in invoking the Pauline metaphor of the Church as a living body, have acknowledged their place within it—not as sovereigns, but as servants. “The Magisterium,” Fr. Detoc explained, “is a vital organ—but not the body itself. The body is greater than the organ.”

And in the very act of asking for prayer, the cardinals model what true leadership in the Church looks like: not a grasping at influence, but a kneeling before God. In their own way, they echo the words of Our Lady: “Let it be done unto me according to your word.”

At this moment in the Church’s history—when speculation may run wild, and polarising categories dominate secular commentary—the invitation is not to opinion, but to prayer. The question, as Fr. Detoc said, is not whether the new pope will be “traditionalist” or “progressive.” It is, simply: What does the Holy Spirit want to accomplish for humanity today through the succession of the apostles?

The conclave is not the Church’s project for God. It is God’s work within the Church. It is the Spirit breathing upon the embers of human frailty, summoning fire once again.

Let all of us, then—clergy, religious, laity, children, and the aged—offer our prayers in these days. Let our rosaries be weapons of peace. Let our silence be filled with expectancy. Let our hearts be kindled with the ancient cry:

Veni Sancte Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit.
Fill the hearts of your faithful.
And enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Conclave to Elect the 267th Successor of Saint Peter to Begin on 7 May 2025 at 4:30 PM (Vatican Time)

Vatican City – 29 April 2025

In these solemn days following the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Church universal turns once more to the ancient and sacred rite of choosing a successor to the See of Rome. On Tuesday morning, during the sixth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals held in the New Synod Hall, 183 Cardinals gathered, including 124 Cardinal electors entrusted with the sacred task of discernment.

During the session, around twenty Cardinals spoke, offering reflections shaped by the experience of their continents and Churches, voicing the hopes and challenges facing the Church in our times.

The Holy See Press Office announced that, following health complications, two Cardinal electors will be unable to attend the conclave. Furthermore, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu publicly declared his obedience to the will of the late Holy Father, choosing to abstain from participation.

A message from the College of Cardinals to the world, offering thanks for the prayerful support of the faithful during these momentous days, was released on Tuesday.

The Conclave is set to commence on Wednesday, 7 May 2025.

At 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST), the Cardinal electors will gather for the Votive Mass for the Election of the Pope (Pro Eligendo Papa) at St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

At 4:30 PM Vatican Time (8:00 PM IST), the electors will enter the Pauline Chapel for prayer, chanting the Litany of the Saints, before proceeding solemnly into the Sistine Chapel. There, under the gaze of Michelangelo’s Last Judgement, they shall intone the Veni Creator Spiritus and swear the oath of secrecy and fidelity to the responsibilities of the Munus Petrinum, the Petrine ministry.

A Global College of Electors, with the Voice of India Among Them

This Conclave shall see the gathering of 138 electors from every corner of the world — a vibrant testimony to the universality of the Church.

From India, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church shall be represented by His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of Trivandrum, standing alongside three other sons of the Indian Church:

• His Eminence Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop Emeritus of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church;
• His Grace Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman (Latin Catholic Church);
• His Grace Archbishop Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad (Latin Catholic Church).

In their persons, the profound traditions of East and West, of the Syro-Malankara, Syro-Malabar, and Latin Rites, shall breathe within the hallowed walls of the Sistine Chapel.

From among the 124 electors, a successor shall be chosen — the 267th Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ.

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33)

As the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, we unite in fervent prayer, beseeching the Holy Spirit to anoint with wisdom, faith, and courage the one whom He shall raise to the Throne of Peter.

List of Cardinal Electors Revealed: One Among Them to Become the 267th Successor of Saint Peter

Rome – 29 April 2025

It is a rare and solemn moment when the Church beholds the gathering of those entrusted with choosing the next shepherd of the flock. As the sacred days of mourning for His Holiness Pope Francis draw to their close, the Church now prepares to entrust the future to the College of Cardinals — those who shall elect the 267th Bishop of Rome.

Today, the Holy See has released the full list of the 138 cardinal electors — those under the age of eighty — who shall enter into the sacred enclosure of the Conclave. From among them, the Lord shall raise one to bear the keys of Peter, to strengthen the brethren, and to bind and loose upon earth and in heaven.

Their names stretch across the continents, carrying within them the languages, cultures, and traditions of a Church that is truly Catholic and universal — from great metropolises to distant mission territories, from ancient sees to newly flourishing communities.

Among these electors, representing the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, stands His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of Trivandrum. With him, His Eminence Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop Emeritus of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, also joins the sacred assembly. Together, they bear the prayers and the hopes of the faithful of India and of the Eastern Churches.

The Cardinal Electors Include:

• Adalberto Martínez Flores (Paraguay, 72) – Archbishop of Asunción
• Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don (Sri Lanka, 76) – Archbishop of Colombo
• Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB (Spain, 64) – Rector Major of the Salesians
• Angelo De Donatis (Italy, 71) – Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome
• Anthony Poola (India, 63) – Archbishop of Hyderabad
• Antoine Kambanda (Rwanda, 66) – Archbishop of Kigali
• Arthur Roche (United Kingdom, 74) – Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship
• Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal (India, 65) – Major Archbishop-Catholicos of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church
• Carlos Aguiar Retes (Mexico, 74) – Archbishop of Mexico
• Charles Maung Bo, SDB (Myanmar, 76) – Archbishop of Yangon
• Cristóbal López Romero, SDB (Morocco, 72) – Archbishop of Rabat
• Dieudonné Nzapalainga, CSsP (Central African Republic, 57) – Archbishop of Bangui
• Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, OFM Cap. (Democratic Republic of Congo, 65) – Archbishop of Kinshasa
• Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ (Luxembourg, 66) – Archbishop of Luxembourg
• George Alencherry (India, 79) – Major Archbishop Emeritus of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
• George Jacob Koovakad (India, 54) – Archbishop of Verapoly
• Gérald Cyprien Lacroix (Canada, 66) – Archbishop of Quebec
• Gerard Vincent Nichols (United Kingdom, 79) – Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster
• Gerhard Ludwig Müller (Germany, 77) – Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
• Giorgio Marengo, IMC (Italy, 50) – Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar
• Giuseppe Betori (Italy, 77) – Archbishop Emeritus of Florence
• Giuseppe Petrocchi (Italy, 76) – Archbishop Emeritus of L’Aquila
• Grzegorz Ryś (Poland, 61) – Archbishop of Łódź
• Ignace Bessi Dogbo (Ivory Coast, 63) – Archbishop of Abidjan
• Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo (Indonesia, 74) – Archbishop of Jakarta
• Jaime Spengler, OFM (Brazil, 62) – Archbishop of Porto Alegre
• James Michael Harvey (United States, 75) – Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
• Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ (Luxembourg, 66) – Archbishop of Luxembourg
• Jean-Marc Aveline (France, 66) – Archbishop of Marseille
• Jean-Paul Vesco, OP (Algeria, 62) – Archbishop of Algiers
• Jean-Pierre Kutwa (Ivory Coast, 79) – Archbishop Emeritus of Abidjan
• João Braz de Aviz (Brazil, 77) – Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
• John Atcherley Dew (New Zealand, 76) – Archbishop Emeritus of Wellington
• John Njue (Kenya, 79) – Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi
• John Ribat, MSC (Papua New Guinea, 68) – Archbishop of Port Moresby
• José Cobo Cano (Spain, 59) – Archbishop of Madrid
• Jose Fuerte Advincula (Philippines, 72) – Archbishop of Manila
• José Tolentino de Mendonça (Portugal, 58) – Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education
• Joseph Coutts (Pakistan, 79) – Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi
• Joseph William Tobin, CSsR (United States, 72) – Archbishop of Newark
• Josip Bozanić (Croatia, 75) – Archbishop Emeritus of Zagreb
• Jozef De Kesel (Belgium, 77) – Archbishop Emeritus of Mechelen-Brussels
• Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez (Cuba, 76) – Archbishop of San Cristóbal de La Habana
• Juan José Omella Omella (Spain, 78) – Archbishop of Barcelona
• Kazimierz Nycz (Poland, 75) – Archbishop Emeritus of Warsaw
• Kevin Joseph Farrell (United States, 67) – Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life
• Konrad Krajewski (Poland, 61) – Papal Almoner
• Kurt Koch (Switzerland, 74) – President of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity
• Ladislav Nemet, SVD (Serbia, 68) – Archbishop of Belgrade
• Lazzaro You Heung-sik (South Korea, 73) – Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy
• Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, OFM (Brazil, 74) – Archbishop of Manaus
• Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano (Nicaragua, 75) – Archbishop of Managua
• Louis Raphaël I Sako (Iraq, 76) – Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans
• Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle (Philippines, 67) – Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation
• Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, OFM (Ecuador, 69) – Archbishop of Guayaquil
• Luis José Rueda Aparicio (Colombia, 62) – Archbishop of Bogotá
• Manuel Clemente (Portugal, 75) – Patriarch Emeritus of Lisbon
• Marcello Semeraro (Italy, 77) – Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints
• Mario Aurelio Poli (Argentina, 77) – Archbishop Emeritus of Buenos Aires
• Mario Grech (Malta, 67) – Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops
• Mario Zenari (Italy, 79) – Apostolic Nuncio to Syria
• Matteo Maria Zuppi (Italy, 69) – Archbishop of Bologna
• Mauro Gambetti, OFM Conv. (Italy, 59) – Vicar General of Vatican City
• Michael Czerny, SJ (Canada, 78) – Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
• Mykola Bychok, CSsR (Australia, 45) – Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
• Odilo Pedro Scherer (Brazil, 75) – Archbishop of São Paulo
• Orani João Tempesta, OCist (Brazil, 74) – Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro
• Oscar Cantoni (Italy, 74) – Bishop of Como
• Pablo Virgilio Siongco David (Philippines, 65) – Bishop of Kalookan
• Paulo Cezar Costa (Brazil, 57) – Archbishop of Brasília
• Peter Ebere Okpaleke (Nigeria, 61) – Bishop of Ekwulobia
• Péter Erdő (Hungary, 71) – Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
• Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (Ghana, 75) – Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies
• Pietro Parolin (Italy, 70) – Secretary of State of the Holy See
• Philippe Barbarin (France, 74) – Archbishop Emeritus of Lyon
• Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM (Israel, 59) – Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
• Pietro Parolin (Italy, 70) – Secretary of State of the Holy See
• Protase Rugambwa (Tanzania, 64) – Archbishop of Tabora
• Rainer Maria Woelki (Germany, 68) – Archbishop of Cologne
• Raymond Leo Burke (United States, 76) – Cardinal Patron Emeritus of the Order of Malta
• Reinhard Marx (Germany, 71) – Archbishop of Munich and Freising
• Robert Francis Prevost, OSA (United States, 69) – Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
• Robert Walter McElroy (United States, 69) – Archbishop of Washington
• Roberto Repole (Italy, 59) – Archbishop of Turin
• Rolandas Makrickas (Lithuania, 73) – Archbishop of Vilnius
• Sebastian Francis (Malaysia, 66) – Bishop of Penang
• Sérgio da Rocha (Brazil, 65) – Archbishop of Salvador da Bahia
• Soane Patita Paini Mafi (Tonga, 63) – Bishop of Tonga
• Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla (South Sudan, 61) – Archbishop of Juba
• Stephen Brislin (South Africa, 68) – Archbishop of Cape Town
• Stephen Chow Sau-yan, SJ (China – Hong Kong, 65) – Bishop of Hong Kong
• Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD (Japan, 66) – Archbishop of Tokyo
• Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda (Japan, 59) – Archbishop of Osaka-Takamatsu
• Timothy Michael Dolan (United States, 74) – Archbishop of New York
• Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, OP (United Kingdom, 62) – Theologian, former Master of the Order of Preachers
• Vicente Bokalic Iglic, CM (Argentina, 72) – Archbishop of Santiago del Estero
• Víctor Manuel Fernández (Argentina, 62) – Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
• Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, SDB (East Timor, 57) – Archbishop of Dili
• Willem Jacobus Eijk (Netherlands, 70) – Archbishop of Utrecht
• William Seng Chye Goh (Singapore, 67) – Archbishop of Singapore
• Wilton Daniel Gregory (United States, 77) – Archbishop Emeritus of Washington

Youngest 10 Cardinal Electors

1. Mykola Bychok, CSsR (Australia) – 45 years
2. Baldassare Reina (Italy) – 54 years
3. George Jacob Koovakad (India) – 54 years
4. François-Xavier Bustillo, OFM Conv. (Spain) – 56 years
5. Paulo Cezar Costa (Brazil) – 57 years
6. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM (Israel) – 59 years
7. Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda (Japan) – 59 years
8. Augusto Paolo Lojudice (Italy) – 59 years
9. Roberto Repole (Italy) – 59 years
10. Dominique Joseph Mathieu, OFM Conv. (Iran) – 61 years

Oldest 10 Cardinal Electors

1. John Njue (Kenya) – 79 years
2. Mario Aurelio Poli (Argentina) – 77 years
3. Mario Zenari (Italy) – 79 years
4. Celestino Aós Braco, OFM, Cap. (Chile) – 79 years
5. Carlos Osoro Sierra (Spain) – 79 years
6. Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo (Burkina Faso) – 79 years
7. Jean-Pierre Kutwa (Ivory Coast) – 79 years
8. George Alencherry (India) – 79 years – His Eminence just turned 80 on the 19th of April and cannot participate in the conclave.
9. Gerard Vincent Nichols (United Kingdom) – 79 years
10. Joseph Coutts (Pakistan) – 79 years

It is a Moment of Deep Prayer and Expectation

It is from among these electors that the Lord shall call forth the one upon whom the white smoke shall rise, the one who shall emerge upon the Loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica bearing the simple and eternal greeting: Habemus Papam! — “We have a Pope!”

The faithful of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church join the Universal Church in earnest prayer during these sacred days. We pray that the Holy Spirit may guide the hearts of the electors, that wisdom may dwell where frailty fears to tread, and that the new Holy Father shall be a light for the nations and a pastor after the Heart of Christ.

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33)

Conference of Catholic Bishops of India Invites the Faithful to Prayer as the Church Awaits the Election of the New Pope

New Delhi – 29 April 2025
In this moment of profound discernment for the Universal Church, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has invited the faithful across the nation to unite in prayer as the College of Cardinals prepares to elect the 267th successor of St. Peter.

With the Church worldwide mourning the earthly departure of His Holiness Pope Francis, the days that follow have become both sacred and weighty — filled with remembrance, hope, and anticipation.

To guide the faithful in this time of spiritual waiting, the CCBI has released an official prayer, asking God to bless the Church with a shepherd after His own heart — a servant of truth, deeply rooted in love.

This call to prayer has resonated across the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church as well, whose faithful in India and abroad have been actively participating in Holy Qurbono, incense prayer, and moments of silence for the repose of Pope Francis and for the forthcoming election.

Prayer for the Election of Pope

(Issued by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India)

God, our loving Father,
Jesus, our Good Shepherd,
Holy Spirit, our Guide and Comforter,
in this time of waiting and prayer,
we turn to You with open hearts.

Father, You have always watched over Your Church.
You raise up shepherds after Your own heart.
Send forth the Spirit of Wisdom upon the College of Cardinals.
Make them one in mind and heart,
so that in their prayerful discernment
they may be guided by divine wisdom.

You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,
show which one of them you have chosen
to be the successor of Peter.
May the new Pope be a man of prayer,
a servant of truth,
gentle yet bold, and compassionate
and deeply rooted in Your love.

Through the intercessions of Mary, the Mother of the Church,
St Joseph, her Guardian and Protector,
and of Saints Peter and Paul,
may this election bring new life and freshness into the Church
and new hope to the world.

We make this prayer to You through Jesus Christ our Lord,
the author of life and our salvation.
Amen.

As we await the conclave and look to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may this be a time of renewed commitment to the Church, to her mission, and to the unity that binds us all as one Body in Christ.

Who May Elect the Pope: A College Reflecting the Catholicity of the Church

Vatican City – 28 April 2025

Only cardinals under the age of 80 may cast a vote for the new Pope. Of the 135 eligible cardinal electors, nearly four out of five were appointed by Pope Francis himself—a striking testament to the missionary spirit he breathed into the Church during his twelve-year pontificate.

This conclave promises to be among the most diverse in history. Cardinals hail from nations that had never before seen a red biretta among their faithful: Mongolia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Mali, and more.

It is a visible sign of the Church’s catholicity—her universality—not a mere diplomatic strategy, but the very lifeblood of a Church founded by Christ to be “a light to the nations.”

The conclave follows a solemn rhythm, woven through centuries of tradition and codified most recently by Pope St. John Paul II in Universi Dominici Gregis.

Each day, the cardinal electors will cast their votes in two sessions—morning and afternoon. Each ballot carries the sacred phrase Eligo in Summum Pontificem—“I elect as Supreme Pontiff…”

If no candidate achieves the two-thirds majority required, black smoke—fumata nera—will rise above the Sistine Chapel. If a Pope is elected, white smoke—fumata bianca—will announce the joyful news to the world.

Thereafter, the chosen one will don the white cassock, receive the Ring of the Fisherman, and step onto the Loggia of Blessings to offer his first Urbi et Orbi blessing, greeting the City and the World with hands lifted in benediction.

It is a process not of political calculation, but of spiritual attentiveness—the Church pausing, listening, and waiting upon the Spirit.

The Camerlengo and His Stewards: Guardians of the Church’s Temporal Goods

Vatican City – 28 April 2025

During the sede vacante—the period when the Apostolic See is vacant—the spiritual governance of the Church awaits the new Pope. Meanwhile, its temporal governance rests with the Camerlengo.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, born in Dublin and later a naturalised American citizen, fulfils this vital role. His responsibility is to oversee the Vatican’s material goods and safeguard its legal rights.

Assisting him are three cardinals elected during the General Congregations: Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. Together, they ensure that while the Church awaits her new shepherd, her worldly affairs are conducted with integrity and order—quiet guardianship behind closed doors.

In their careful stewardship, we see a reflection of the Church’s wisdom: even as she prays for her soul, she tends dutifully to her body.

General Congregations: The Church’s Prayerful Vigil Before the Conclave

Vatican City – 28 April 2025

Since the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis on 26 April, the College of Cardinals has convened daily in General Congregations—private sessions closed to public view—to reflect on the future of the Church.

The Vatican Press Office reports that more than 180 cardinals have arrived in Rome, with just over 100 eligible to vote. Of the 135 cardinal electors under the age of 80, some will not be participating: Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, citing health reasons, and Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, who has voluntarily withdrawn amidst past controversies.

The General Congregations have discussed the challenges confronting the Church and the qualities necessary in the man who will bear the Cross of Peter. Meanwhile, the Sistine Chapel has been sealed to visitors and equipped with countermeasures to safeguard the sacred secrecy of the conclave.

Before the conclave begins, the Mass Pro Eligendo Papa will be celebrated—a plea to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Then, with the words “Extra Omnes,” the doors will be closed, and the silence of discernment will descend.

Conclave to Elect New Pope to Begin on 7 May, Announces Holy See

Vatican City – 28 April 2025

The Holy See Press Office confirmed today that the sacred Conclave to elect the successor of His Holiness Pope Francis will commence on 7 May 2025. The decision was made during the fifth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals, convened this morning within the walls of Vatican City.

As the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica toll in mourning, the Church turns now towards hope: the prayerful task of discerning the 267th Bishop of Rome who will shepherd the 1.4 billion Catholics across the world. In the Sistine Chapel, under the gaze of Michelangelo’s Last Judgement, the cardinal electors will gather—princes of the Church, yet servants above all—to seek not their will, but the will of God.

The days ahead promise to be ones of solemnity, vigilance, and grace.