Benedict XV 4 days, 10 ballots Fifty-seven cardinals were present in the conclave from August 31 to September 3, 1914, electing Cardinal Giacomo della Chiesa, Pope Benedict XV. He was 59 years old. The Italian pope died on January 22, 1922. ...read more

Salt and Light producer Sebastian Gomes sits down with John Allen Jr. to discuss possible candidates for the Papacy. John is a multi-awarded journalist who specializes in Vatican affairs. ...read more

Now that we have a date, the next big question on everyone’s mind is how long will it take before we know who’s our next Pope? In the last one hundred years there have been nine conclaves to date, ten if you count the one that will start on March 12. In honour of this ...read more

Most of what we hear about Africa is about poverty. We hear about famine, droughts and civil war. But Africa is a continent with over 50 different countries. Poverty cannot be the reality for everyone in the whole continent! It is true that many Africans face daily crises and hardship, but there are also signs ...read more

Photo: Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel at the beginning of the conclave at the Vatican on April 18, 2005. The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals has decided that the Conclave will begin on Tuesday, 12 March 2013.  A Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica in the ...read more

In the weeks leading up to the conclave the Cardinals are meeting in Rome to discuss the state of the Church and the profile of the new pope. It is no secret that questions of administration and governance at the Vatican have been raised. But there are also serious conversations going on about evangelization, inter-religious dialogue, ...read more

One week ago, we began previewed A New Leaf across the country. Within the span of seven days, our documentary was screened in Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria. It was a grueling tour for myself and our travelling team from Development and Peace. We were joined by Fr. Isidore Ouedraogo from Caritas Burkina Faso, who ...read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet with Peter Mansbridge and cameraman Dave Rae. (Sebastian Gomes) CBC. Standing on the rooftop of his apartment building in Vatican City, Marc Ouellet pointed across St. Peter’s Square towards the building that houses the Pope’s residence. “I used to come up here often in the evenings and I’d always see the lights on, ...read more

On the evening of Wednesday March 6 at 5:00pm Rome time (11:00am ET/8:00am PT), the Prayer for the Church on the Occasion of the General Congregations of the College of Cardinals will take place at the Altar of the Cathedra in St. Peter’s Basilica. The order of the service is as follows: The prayer will ...read more

The Cardinals gathered in General Congregation meetings in Rome wrote and send a telegram to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Below is the text of that telegram. TO HIS HOLINESS POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI CASTEL GANDOLFO THE CARDINAL FATHERS, GATHERED AT THE VATICAN FOR THE GENERAL CONGREGATIONS IN VIEW OF THE NEXT CONCLAVE, SEND YOU THEIR ...read more