Articles
Conclave chronicles
The day-by-day journal of the 2025 sede vacante and conclave, from the death of Pope Francis to the election of Leo XIV.
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· 2 min read
Chronicle of the Conclave - May 7, 2025
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 will remain etched as the day when the Catholic Church once again retreated into the silence of the Sistine Chapel to entrust one of its heaviest responsibilities to the discernment of its cardinals: electing the successor of Peter. Two weeks after Pope Francis's death, 133 cardinal electors began the conclave in an atmosphere of spiritual gravity, popular fervor, and extreme confidentiality.
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· 4 min read
Chronicle of the Conclave - May 6, 2025
On the eve of the conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor, Rome experienced an intense day marked by solemn rituals, diplomatic tensions, and revealing controversies. This day, May 6, 2025, stands as a pivotal moment in the recent history of the Catholic Church, reflecting both the desired unity and the deep divisions running through the College of Cardinals.
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· 3 min read
Chronicle of the Conclave - May 5, 2025
On May 5, 2025, two days before the opening of the conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor, the Vatican experienced a day of intense activity. Between cardinal meetings, logistical preparations, and solemn oaths, this day constituted a decisive step in the transition to a new pontificate.
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· 3 min read
Chronicle of the Conclave - May 4, 2025
As the conclave scheduled for May 7 approaches, the College of Cardinals enters a decisive phase marked by uncertainty, strategic silence, and contrasting hopes for a Church seeking clear direction. While the Vatican remains closed to any official communication, numerous statements, leaks, and analyses published this Sunday reveal a divided ecclesiastical landscape, but one resolutely turned toward a future it hopes will be inspired.
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· 3 min read
Chronicle of the Conclave - May 3, 2025
As the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new pope following the death of Francis on April 21, the ninth general congregation of cardinals was held this Saturday at the Vatican. In an atmosphere mixing solemnity, negotiations, and uncertainties, May 3 was marked by intense discussions, strategic revelations, and an increasingly electric climate behind the scenes in Rome.
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· 2 min read
Chronicle of the Conclave – May 2, 2025
On Friday, May 2, 2025, five days before the opening of the conclave, the cardinals gathered in Rome continued their discussions amid growing tensions. The talks concern both the future direction of the Church and controversies involving certain members of the College of Cardinals.
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· 2 min read
Chronicle of the Conclave - May 1, 2025
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Rome, the cardinals continued their activities in preparation for the conclave scheduled for May 7. Although no general congregation was scheduled for that day, several notable events marked the day, including liturgical celebrations, informal discussions, and developments concerning certain cardinals.
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· 1 min read
Conclave Chronicle - April 30, 2025
On April 30, 2025, the cardinals gathered in Rome held the seventh General Congregation in preparation for the conclave scheduled for May 7. This session brought together 181 participants, including 124 cardinal electors. The meeting began at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer and continued until 12:30 PM.
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· 1 min read
Conclave Chronicle - April 29, 2025
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the cardinals gathered in Rome held the sixth General Congregation in preparation for the conclave scheduled for May 7. This session brought together 183 cardinals, including 124 electors, and began with a spiritual meditation given by Dom Donato Ogliari, abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
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· 1 min read
Chronicle of the Conclave - April 28, 2025
On Monday, April 28, 2025, the cardinals gathered in Rome held the fifth general congregation in preparation for the conclave scheduled for May 7. This session was marked by key decisions and in-depth discussions on the future of the Church.