Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

A Daily Quote to Inspire Your Catholic Faith “God passes through the thicket of the world, and wherever His glance falls He turns all things to beauty.” –  Saint John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church December 14 is the Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church (A.D. 1542 […]

The post Daily Quote—Saint John of the Cross appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

ENCOUNTERING THE WORD — YOUR DAILY BIBLE VERSES “Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off […]

The post Your Daily Bible Verses — Romans 13:11-12 appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

The Apparition of Saint Michael the Archangel is a revered event traditionally dated to the late 5th century near Monte Gargano in southern Italy. According to legend, a wealthy landowner lost his prized bull, which was later found kneeling inside a cave. When an arrow was shot into the cave to drive the animal out, […]

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 16:29 pm (CNA).

With the start of the conclave May 7, there are five cardinal electors who bring a significant amount of experience to the process.

Four electors — Cardinals Peter Turkson, Philippe Barbarin, Péter Erdő, and Josip Bozanić — became members of the College of Cardinals in 2003 and have participated in two conclaves before this one.

Cardinal Vinko Puljić, the archbishop emeritus of Sarajevo, received the red hat in 1994, making him the elector with the most years — nearly 31 — as cardinal. He has also participated in two conclaves: the 2005 conclave that elected Benedict XVI and the 2013 conclave that elected Francis.

At 79 years old, Puljić is able to vote in the 2025 conclave by a margin of just four months. On Sept. 8, he will turn 80 and lose the privilege to elect a pope. 

The archbishop emeritus of Sarajevo, he is known for his role during the war in Bosnia, where he distinguished himself as a voice for peace and a defender of human rights. He was also president of the bishops’ conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a long time.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, was chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences from 2022.

A biblical scholar and influential voice for social justice, the Ghanaian’s first role in the Vatican was as president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace from 2009 to 2017. Pope Francis then chose him as inaugural prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development from 2017 to 2021.

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, 74, is a from France, where he was archbishop of Lyon from 2002 to 2020. In 2020, he was acquitted on appeal of a 2019 conviction of failing to report sexual abuse.

Born in Rabat, Morocco, at the time under French protectorate, he served as a missionary in Madagascar and a professor of theology. He was bishop of Moulins from 1998 to 2002.

The 72-year-old Cardinal Péter Erdő, archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and primate of Hungary, is a canonist and academic who has led the Hungarian and European bishops’ conferences for years. He is the author of over 250 studies in the fields of canon law and spirituality. In addition to the 2005 and 2013 conclaves, he has participated in a number of synods.

Cardinal Josip Bozanić, 76, archbishop emeritus of Zagreb, Croatia, was a prominent figure in dialogue between the Croatian Church and state, and in promoting justice and peace. He also served for many years as the president of the Croatian bishops’ conference.

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 16:29 pm (CNA).

With the start of the conclave May 7, there are five cardinal electors who bring a significant amount of experience to the process.

Four electors — Cardinals Peter Turkson, Philippe Barbarin, Péter Erdő, and Josip Bozanić — became members of the College of Cardinals in 2003 and have participated in two conclaves before this one.

Cardinal Vinko Puljić, the archbishop emeritus of Sarajevo, received the red hat in 1994, making him the elector with the most years — nearly 31 — as cardinal. He has also participated in two conclaves: the 2005 conclave that elected Benedict XVI and the 2013 conclave that elected Francis.

At 79 years old, Puljić is able to vote in the 2025 conclave by a margin of just four months. On Sept. 8, he will turn 80 and lose the privilege to elect a pope. 

The archbishop emeritus of Sarajevo, he is known for his role during the war in Bosnia, where he distinguished himself as a voice for peace and a defender of human rights. He was also president of the bishops’ conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a long time.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, was chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences from 2022.

A biblical scholar and influential voice for social justice, the Ghanaian’s first role in the Vatican was as president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace from 2009 to 2017. Pope Francis then chose him as inaugural prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development from 2017 to 2021.

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, 74, is a from France, where he was archbishop of Lyon from 2002 to 2020. In 2020, he was acquitted on appeal of a 2019 conviction of failing to report sexual abuse.

Born in Rabat, Morocco, at the time under French protectorate, he served as a missionary in Madagascar and a professor of theology. He was bishop of Moulins from 1998 to 2002.

The 72-year-old Cardinal Péter Erdő, archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and primate of Hungary, is a canonist and academic who has led the Hungarian and European bishops’ conferences for years. He is the author of over 250 studies in the fields of canon law and spirituality. In addition to the 2005 and 2013 conclaves, he has participated in a number of synods.

Cardinal Josip Bozanić, 76, archbishop emeritus of Zagreb, Croatia, was a prominent figure in dialogue between the Croatian Church and state, and in promoting justice and peace. He also served for many years as the president of the Croatian bishops’ conference.

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 15:44 pm (CNA).

As the conclave gets underway, all eyes turn to the small chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. From this simple metal tube will emerge the long-awaited white smoke that will announce the election of the new pope.

Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney Wednesday evening to the watchful eyes of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square as the first day of conclave voting concluded without a new pontiff.

Beginning Thursday, the cardinals will hold four votes each day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Each round of votes is followed by smoke from the chimney, which will be black if still no agreement has been reached, or white if the new pontiff has been elected.

If the new pope is not elected on the first morning ballot, a second ballot is held immediately. Both ballots are burned together, leading to possible smoke around noon Rome time. If, however, the pope is elected on the first morning ballot, the white smoke will appear shortly after 10:30 a.m.

The same process is repeated in the afternoon. After a brief break, two more votes will be held. If neither is conclusive, the smoke is expected around 7 p.m. Rome time. However, if the pope is elected on the first ballot of the afternoon, white smoke would be seen shortly after 5:30 p.m.

Thus, on both Thursday and Friday, observers should be alert for four possible times when the smoke may appear each day: two around noon and two in the evening. 

The smoke is produced by burning the ballot of every cardinal along with chemical compounds that make the smoke black or white. After white smoke appears, the bells of St. Peter’s will ring loudly to confirm the awaited announcement: “Habemus papam!” (“We have a pope!”).

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 15:44 pm (CNA).

As the conclave gets underway, all eyes turn to the small chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. From this simple metal tube will emerge the long-awaited white smoke that will announce the election of the new pope.

Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney Wednesday evening to the watchful eyes of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square as the first day of conclave voting concluded without a new pontiff.

Beginning Thursday, the cardinals will hold four votes each day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Each round of votes is followed by smoke from the chimney, which will be black if still no agreement has been reached, or white if the new pontiff has been elected.

If the new pope is not elected on the first morning ballot, a second ballot is held immediately. Both ballots are burned together, leading to possible smoke around noon Rome time. If, however, the pope is elected on the first morning ballot, the white smoke will appear shortly after 10:30 a.m.

The same process is repeated in the afternoon. After a brief break, two more votes will be held. If neither is conclusive, the smoke is expected around 7 p.m. Rome time. However, if the pope is elected on the first ballot of the afternoon, white smoke would be seen shortly after 5:30 p.m.

Thus, on both Thursday and Friday, observers should be alert for four possible times when the smoke may appear each day: two around noon and two in the evening. 

The smoke is produced by burning the ballot of every cardinal along with chemical compounds that make the smoke black or white. After white smoke appears, the bells of St. Peter’s will ring loudly to confirm the awaited announcement: “Habemus papam!” (“We have a pope!”).

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 15:09 pm (CNA).

Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney Wednesday evening to the watchful eyes of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square as the first day of conclave voting concluded without a new pontiff.

The dark plume emerged at approximately 9 p.m. Rome time, confirming the 133 cardinal electors sequestered inside had not reached the required two-thirds majority — at least 89 votes — needed to elect Pope Francis’ successor.

The College of Cardinals began their deliberations earlier Wednesday following the “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice” (“For the Election of the Roman Pontiff”) Mass celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the liturgy that officially opened the conclave proceedings.

Shortly thereafter, the cardinal electors processed into the Sistine Chapel.

The cardinals will return to the Sistine Chapel Thursday morning for two voting sessions before noon (Rome time) and two more in the afternoon. With each inconclusive ballot, smoke from burnt voting papers will continue to emerge black until the moment a new pope is elected.

When a candidate secures the necessary votes, white smoke will signal to the world that the Catholic Church has a new shepherd.

Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the senior cardinal deacon, will then appear on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to make the traditional “Habemus papam” announcement, revealing the identity of the 266th successor to St. Peter.

During the 12 general congregations leading up to the conclave, cardinals identified several key challenges facing the Church, including evangelization, vocations, sexual abuse, Vatican finances, synodality, and global conflicts.

Vatican City, May 7, 2025 / 15:09 pm (CNA).

Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney Wednesday evening to the watchful eyes of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square as the first day of conclave voting concluded without a new pontiff.

The dark plume emerged at approximately 9 p.m. Rome time, confirming the 133 cardinal electors sequestered inside had not reached the required two-thirds majority — at least 89 votes — needed to elect Pope Francis’ successor.

The College of Cardinals began their deliberations earlier Wednesday following the “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice” (“For the Election of the Roman Pontiff”) Mass celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the liturgy that officially opened the conclave proceedings.

Shortly thereafter, the cardinal electors processed into the Sistine Chapel.

The cardinals will return to the Sistine Chapel Thursday morning for two voting sessions before noon (Rome time) and two more in the afternoon. With each inconclusive ballot, smoke from burnt voting papers will continue to emerge black until the moment a new pope is elected.

When a candidate secures the necessary votes, white smoke will signal to the world that the Catholic Church has a new shepherd.

Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the senior cardinal deacon, will then appear on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to make the traditional “Habemus papam” announcement, revealing the identity of the 266th successor to St. Peter.

During the 12 general congregations leading up to the conclave, cardinals identified several key challenges facing the Church, including evangelization, vocations, sexual abuse, Vatican finances, synodality, and global conflicts.

CNA Newsroom, May 7, 2025 / 15:08 pm (CNA).

Follow here for live coverage as the conclave unfolds: updates, insights, and key moments in the election of the 266th successor to St. Peter and 267th leader of the Catholic Church.