Red curtains are now on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica overlooking the square where the new pope will make his first appearance. (NCR photo/Rhina Guidos)
When the world's Catholic cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to elect the next pontiff, eight out of ten will share one primary thing in common: They were all elevated to their rank by Pope Francis. As they gather for what is expected to be the largest conclave in history, the cardinals now face a stark choice: to continue along the path of reform as the trailblazing Francis — of opening the church up to the modern world and making its structures more inclusive — or to initiate a course correction. Find our coverage of papabile candidates here.
Pope Francis invited all Catholics to the table in deliberating the future of the church. Sisters involved in those synods believe there's no turning back — even with a new pope.
A couple miles from the ongoing conclave, sisters in leadership gather at the International Union of Superiors General assembly May 5-9, with Pope Francis' spirit of synodality at its center.
Many on the margins felt like Pope Francis was the last world leader defending them. Now, with a conclave ahead, sisters in social ministries say they hope the next pope shares Francis' preference for the poor.
