The Vatican has announced that the conclave to elect the new Pope will begin on May 7, following the death of Pope Franciscus on April 21. The decision was made during a meeting of the Cardinals in Rome, as reported by Vatican News. The conclave, a highly secretive and regulated process, will take place in the Sistine Chapel, where 135 cardinals under the age of 80 from around the world are expected to participate.
The period following Pope Franciscus's death has been marked by the declaration of 'Sede Vacante,' indicating the vacancy of the papal seat. After a nine-day mourning period concluding with the funeral on April 26, the focus has shifted to the election of the 267th Pope. The conclave, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, requires a two-thirds majority for the election of the new Pope, who will then lead the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide as their spiritual leader and head of the Vatican State.
Among the cardinals eligible to vote, three are from Germany, including Reinhard Marx, Rainer Maria Woelki, and Gerhard Ludwig Müller. The conclave's duration is unpredictable, with history showing it can last from a few hours to several days or even weeks. The most prolonged conclave in history lasted over two years, but recent elections have been much quicker, with Pope Franciscus elected in just over 26 hours in 2013.
In a related development, Cardinal Angelo Becciu has announced he will not participate in the conclave, adhering to Pope Franciscus's wishes to ensure the 'serenity' of the election process. Becciu, who was convicted in a Vatican court for financial misconduct but maintains his innocence, has decided to step aside, highlighting the complexities within the Church's governance and the importance of unity during this pivotal time.
In a shocking display of violence, a massive brawl involving over 40 individuals from rival Indian gangs erupted in the parking lot of a shopping center in San Bonifacio, Verona, last November. The confrontation, which was witnessed by families and children, resulted in the death of a...
In a poignant ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the David di Donatello awards, Italian President Sergio Mattarella was honored with a special award for his unwavering support of the Italian cinema. The event, held at the Quirinale, underscored the profound connection between Italy's...
Gino Cecchettin, the father of Giulia Cecchettin, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short by femicide, has expressed a desire to engage directly with young individuals who have cited Filippo Turetta, Giulia's murderer, as an inspiration for their own violent actions. Speaking to...
In a significant crackdown on fraudulent activities targeting European Union agricultural subsidies, Italian authorities have arrested 12 individuals and seized assets worth over €9.6 million. The operation, led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Naples and executed by the...
Michele Prestipino, a prominent figure in Italy's fight against organized crime, has announced his retirement after more than 40 years of service in the judiciary. The former prosecutor, who was nearing the mandatory retirement age, stated that his decision to step down was long-considered...
