Pope Leo XIV: Secrets and intrigues of the historic conclave!

Pope Leo XIV: Secrets and intrigues of the historic conclave!

On September 26, 2025, the world is excited about developments in the Vatican as the conclave to elect a new pope has begun. Pope Leo XIV recently held a general audience and expressed great optimism about the future of the Church. In the sacred halls of the Sistine Chapel, 124 cardinals eligible to vote met under strict hygiene regulations to elect a successor to the late Pope Francis.

The current information about the conclave is varied. According to ZDF reports that the cardinals are sworn to secrecy, but in background discussions there are always interesting insights into the complicated election. The first round of voting on Wednesday evening already brought some surprises: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost received a large number of votes, while Pietro Parolin, the long-time Cardinal Secretary of State, fell short of expectations in the first round.

A look at the election candidates

The dynamic surrounding Cardinal Prevost is particularly exciting, as he was able to secure support from both conservative and progressive cardinals. His steady increase in votes suggests he is on a promising course for the pontificate period. He was supported, among others, by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who campaigned for Prevost before the conclave and organized several meetings with other cardinals. These strategic discussions appear to have borne fruit.

The Conclave itself has a long and mysterious history. The term “conclave” comes from Latin and means “with the key”. Originally, the electing cardinals were literally locked up to create pressure for a quick election. The first documented election took place in Perugia in 1216, a practice that has since changed significantly.116. Accordingly, the processes of today's elections are much more structured and less chaotic.

Rituals and traditions

One of the most famous elements of the conclave is the smoke signal procedure. Only introduced in the 19th century, these tell people outside St. Peter's in Rome whether a new pope has been elected or not. During the election, the cardinals use the Sistine Chapel, one of the world's most important chapels, which not only impresses with its works of art, but also plays a central role in the election of the Pope throughout history.

The election of the new pope has not only religious but also political dimensions. In his first general audience, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of communication for peace and the role of the press within the Church. This suggests an era in which relations between the church and society will become more intense and transparent.

In the context of international events, there are also reports about the almost completely dried up Lake Urmia in Iran, as well as impending natural disasters such as the tsunami alarm following an earthquake off the coast of Russia. This shows how important it is that important global issues remain in focus during this time as the Vatican works on the learning process to elect the new pope.

The fate of the church now lies in the hands of the cardinals, and the next few days promise more than just the usual Vatican life. Stay tuned for the latest developments from the Vatican.”

For more information about the Conclave's history and current developments, visit the articles by ZDF and Vatican News.