Priests From the Diocese of Brooklyn Pray for Cardinals Elect During Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica

By Katie Vasquez

As the College of Cardinals walked toward the tomb of the first pope – St. Peter – it formed a sea of red inside St Peter’s Basilica.

Father Sean Sukiel, the pastor of Holy Family parish in Fresh Meadows, Queens, was in the pews as the cardinals processed in – bringing prayers from the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“I was at the end of the row and all the cardinals passed by. So the future pope passed by me, and a few cardinals acknowledged my presence,” Father Sukiel told Currents News. “I said, ‘Your eminence, we’re praying for all of you.’ And so they said, ‘Thank you. keep the prayers coming.’”

The Mass for the election of the Roman pontiff serves as a moment to invoke the Holy Spirit for His light and strength to select the pope needed.

The pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Astoria Queens, Monsignor Cuong Pham, could sense that energy.

“The Holy Spirit’s presence was very palpable, very strong in that Basilica today, because in a sense, we were representing the entire church at this moment, to pray for a very significant event,” Monsignor Pham said.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, reminded the men during his homily of the significance of their decision.

“This is a human act for which every personal consideration must be set aside, keeping in mind and heart only the good of Jesus Christ and the good of the Church and of humanity,” he said.

Cardinal Re also expressed a call to unity within the Church, which Father Sukiel agrees with.

“We are sheep without a shepherd. So we’re all praying for a good, fervent, energetic Holy Father who’s going to be not afraid to lead the Church, to guide the Church and to love the Church,” Father Sukiel said.

Cardinal Re led the Mass in prayer: “Let us pray, then, that the Holy Spirit, who in the last hundred years has given us a series of truly holy and great pontiffs, will give us a new pope according to God’s heart for the good of the Church and of humanity.”

The conclave Mass is also meant to express the unity of the Universal Church, which is why both the princes who are taking part in the conclave and those over 80 who are ineligible to vote joined in the prayers at the Vatican.

In St. Peter’s Square, Crowd Reacts to First Sign of Black Smoke From Sistine Chapel May 7

By Michelle Powers

On the evening of May 7 in Rome, thousands of eyes were fixed on the chimney of the Sistine Chapel as black smoke billowed over the Vatican – signaling that the 133 cardinal electors inside have yet to choose a new pope.

“I have no words about it,” one member of the crowd told Currents News. “It was so awesome to see all the people, the reporters.”

Thousands of faithful and curious onlookers gathered in St. Peter’s Square hoping to catch a glimpse of history.

“I thought, or I had dreamed, that the smoke was white,” one onlooker said.

“We knew it was quite impossible, because no pope has been elected in the first election,” another said.

“I mean, everyone expected it to be black, I think so. They say that maybe tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow,” one viewer added.

There are two rounds of votes each day: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. It’s not uncommon for the first few ballots to yield no results, but the crowd remains undeterred – and is lending their help where they can.

“We are happy because it’s our best way to stay together and link to God, because we are happy,” one pilgrim said.

The atmosphere was a mix of solemnity and happiness.

Until then, the world is watching and waiting.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 5/6/2025

The Vatican is welcoming a diverse group of 133 cardinals who will be staying there during the papal conclave.

Currents News is in the Eternal City, where pilgrims are praying for the cardinal-electors as they prepare to choose the next pope.

In the Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop Robert Brennan will celebrate a special Mass as the world awaits the next successor of St. Peter.

TONIGHT AT 7: Vatican Prepares on Eve of Papal Conclave

By Currents News:

Currents News is on the ground at the Vatican for the conclave.

Tune in as reporters Michelle Powers, Katie Vasquez, and Melissa Butz Corsi bring you exclusive coverage straight from the Eternal City.

The historic voting starts May 7, and the Currents News team will be in Rome all week long bringing you the latest.

Secrecy in the Sistine Chapel: An Inside Look at the Oath Taken Before the Conclave

By Currents News

The radio silence inside the Vatican goes beyond phone signals. Before the conclave begins, officials take an oath of secrecy.

Currents News’ Melissa Butz Corsi Currents News from the Eternal City to talk about this ancient practice.

Christine Persichette: We know the cardinals will take an oath of secrecy before the conclave begins May 7, but does anyone else have to take this vow?

Melissa Butz Corsi: Yes, in fact, all officials: staff, cooks, confessors, elevator operators, etc. had to take this oath of secrecy to ensure that if they hear anything while working, it does not get out to the public.

This happened May 5 evening at 5:30 p.m. in the Pauline Chapel.

Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell administered it to the laity and clergy assisting with the conclave.

CP: The oath is quite serious. What happens if someone breaks it?

MBC: It’s very serious. Before taking it, each staff member is informed of its importance and what it means for the church and the conclave.

Recording audio and video is forbidden by staff and if someone is caught, the penalty is excommunication by the Apostolic See.

CP: And is it the same oath the laity take, that the cardinals take?

MBC: The cardinals’ is just a tad different. The cardinals promise, if elected, to fulfill the role of pastor of the UniversalCatholic Church.

It comes from the apostolic constitution Pope John Paul II wrote in 1996, “Universi Dominici Gregis.”

Along with that, they cannot have any phones, internet, newspapers, TV or anything that could sway their vote during the conclave.

The same penalty goes for them: excommunication if they were to break the seal.

Catholics Hope Diverse College of Cardinals Pick a New Pope ‘For the People’

By Michelle Powers

He called it prioritizing the peripheries when Pope Francis chose cardinals from distant dioceses like Mongolia and South Sudan. They were countries that never had a “prince of the Church” or a papal pick.

“It’s important for all Catholics to be able to identify with the Holy Father,” Father Anthony Ligato, the assistant vice rector at the Pontifical North American College, told Currents News.

He says that Pope Francis’ choices have the potential to stir things up a bit. Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis appointed more than 80 percent of the red hats eligible to vote in this conclave.

There are 53 from Europe, 23 from Asia, 18 from Africa, 16 from North America, 17 from South America, four from Central America, and four from Oceania.

This shift away from a European core has sparked talks of a non-European pope.

“The diversity of the cardinals is a reflection of the universality of the Roman Catholic Church throughout the world and how we have been able to reach so many diverse people with that message of Jesus Christ,” Father Ligato said.

The diversity isn’t just geographic – it’s cultural. Cardinals from developing nations often bring perspectives shaped by poverty and persecution that differ from their counterparts.

Many people in St. Peter’s Square say they would love to see a pope that looked like them.

“I would feel proud having someone from Mexico to represent the Catholic Church here, would be amazing,” one pilgrim said.

The cardinals get to make the pick, but the faithful hope they pick a people’s pope.

A two-thirds majority is needed to be elected pope, meaning that if the number of electors holds at 133, the winner must secure 89 votes.

Pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square Share Their Prayers, Hopes for the Next Pope

By Katie Vasquez

While it’s ultimately up to the cardinals to pick the next successor of St. Peter, their decision will affect Catholics around the globe.

Because of this, faithful in Rome are praying for a pope who will be a shepherd to his flock.

Pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square turn to God to give the cardinal electors guidance, many taking pictures in front of the Vatican – wondering who might appear in this window next.

“I’m very excited to elect a new pope. there’s a lot of good candidates,” one of them said.

The election of a new pope will determine the future of the Universal Church – and it’s the future those in St. Peter’s Square think about when they talk about what they want to see in the next pontiff.

“I like more traditional values, so I’m looking more for unity of the whole Church, just guidance in general for the future and for the future of the whole Church … try to get a lot more younger people involved.”

Some want a Holy Father that will follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis.

“I hope for someone that is going to keep going as Pope Francis had. Hopefully there’ll be one elected very soon with lots of spirituality for the whole world, and hopefully will be in connection with all the young people,” one pilgrim said.

“A people’s pope, similar to Pope Francis, for him to understand what us Catholics and us people need. Because I believe the world needs it. We need it, the world needs this,” another said.

Others want the next successor of St. Peter to strike a different path.

“I’m hoping there will be a fresh change. Maybe this time, away from the usual norms, or maybe an Asian pope,” one man said.

But many are just looking for the right man to fill the role and lead the Universal Church.

“I don’t hope that the future pope will be Brazilian or South American,” one member of the faith explained. “I hope that it’s a person that is prepared to guide us.”

“Regardless, I hope someone who really is able to understand the needs of everyone,” another pilgrim said.

No matter their thoughts on the next pope, every pilgrim said they are excited to meet the new Holy Father for the first time in St. Peter’s Square.

Who Will Be the Next Pope? Top Contenders Ahead of the Conclave

By Currents News

Guided by God and the Holy Spirit, 133 men will be part of the next conclave.

They are sworn to secrecy, meaning the world won’t know who they pick until the white smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel and the next successor of Saint Peter is introduced to the world.

Catholics around the world have been talking about some of the cardinals they think could be the next pope.

The top contender is Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The Italian served as Secretary of State under Pope Francis and often filled in for the pontiff in diplomatic endeavors, such as meeting heads of state.

Cardinal Parolin has also overseen key Vatican efforts, such as the Holy See’s deal with China over bishop nominations, and the Vatican’s efforts to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Another lead in the papal race is Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, who could become the first Asian pontiff.

Cardinal Tagle has previously served as the president of the Catholic charity Caritas Internationalis and was the head of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Vatican’s missionary department.

Another papal first would be Cardinal Peter Turkson, who could be the first Black pope.

The Ghanaian red hat served as the prefect of the Department for the Service of the Integral Human Development and is currently the chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

Cardinal Péter Erdő is also a name being mentioned. The Hungarian prelate was one of the initiators and co-presidents of the Catholic-Orthodox European Forum.

He has participated in all the assemblies of the Synod of Bishops since 2003 and has published 250 articles and 25 books on canon law, plus a number of cultural and spiritual works.

Another much-talked-about name is Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who serves as the president of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

Pope Francis also chose Cardinal Zuppi to be his peace envoy for the war in Ukraine and the cardinal-priest of the Sant’Egidio Community, a worldwide movement of laypeople.

These are just some of the names being mentioned as possible picks for the next pope, but there are plenty of others that are being talked about in Catholic circles.

Ultimately, the next Holy Father can come from any of the 133 candidates; only the cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel know how they will vote.

Cardinals Arrive in Rome: Conclave Begins in Two Days

By Currents News

With just two days until the start of the conclave, all the cardinals who will be picking the next pope have arrived in Rome, the Vatican has announced.

The 133 red hats have already drawn lots for their room assignments. They will be accommodated at the Casa Santa Marta and the Old Santa Marta — and be able to travel to the Sistine Chapel as they wish along a protected route.

On Monday, 132 of the electors took part in a general congregation, where they touched on a wide variety of topics such as the missionary nature of the Church and the role of women in the Church. Among those electors, 10 come from the United States, two from the Tri-State area: New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and Newark, New Jersey Cardinal Joseph Tobin.

The electors also include four American cardinals not currently in the United States: Cardinal Raymond Burke, who was the Archbishop of St. Louis but now is currently based in Rome; Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who formerly served in Texas but now is the prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life; Cardinal James Harvey, who is from Milwaukee but serves as the archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome; and Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, originally from Chicago but currently serving as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

Among the red hats active in the U.S., there is Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Texas, Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, DC, and Cardinal Robert Walter McElroy of San Diego.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 5/5/2025

As the world awaits the next pope, the public is wondering which cardinal will soon sit in the chair of St. Peter.

Cardinals in Rome aren’t the only ones preparing for the conclave: the Sistine Chapel is undergoing modifications as May 7 approaches.

A final Mass was held at St. Peter’s Basilica in memory of Pope Francis, honoring his mission and lifelong service to the Church.