United in Prayer: The Conclave Begins for Not available
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The eyes of the world are once again turned to Rome, where the 2025 Conclave has begun. As the doors of the Sistine Chapel closed and the words “Extra omnes” (“Everyone out!”) echoed through the sacred space, the Cardinal electors entered into one of the most solemn and prayerful tasks of their vocation: to discern, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will be the next successor to St. Peter.
We are all called to unite spiritually with the Church in this moment, accompanying the Cardinals with our prayers and invoking the Spirit of the Lord to descend upon them in wisdom, peace, and unity.
A Call to Prayer
During the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re reminded us of the weight and grace of this moment. In his homily, he reflected on Acts of the Apostles 1:21–22, recalling how the early Church, too, sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit in choosing a new shepherd after the Ascension of the Lord:
“One of the men who have accompanied us… must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
— Acts 1:21–22
Cardinal Re reminded the faithful—and especially the Cardinals—that the Pope is not only the Bishop of Rome but “the visible foundation of the unity of the Church.” He emphasized the need for “a holy man of God, a man of prayer, a man of peace and reconciliation, a man of humility and strength.”
Let us pray together that the Holy Spirit will anoint the hearts and minds of the Cardinals, that they may choose a shepherd who will lead the Church with courage, mercy, and unwavering faith.
The First Day of Conclave
As of the first day of voting, no pope has been elected. The black smoke that rose above the Sistine Chapel on May 7th signaled to the world that the Church continues to pray and discern. The black smoke, traditionally referred to as fumata nera in Italian, reminds us that this is a sacred process, not one bound by human timelines, but by divine inspiration.
Let us remain patient and faithful, trusting that God will raise up the shepherd we need.
How to Follow the Conclave
If you wish to follow the unfolding of the conclave prayerfully and attentively, the Vatican News portal provides updates and live coverage. You can access it directly through Vatican Media’s television and streaming platforms:
Stay informed, but most importantly, remain united in prayer.
Come, Holy Spirit
As the Church prays behind closed doors, let us remain in spiritual communion with our shepherds. We invite you to include the Cardinals in your daily intercessions. You can also post your own prayer intentions for the conclave on DivineOffice.org, and join the intentions of others by clicking “Amen.”
“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love.”
May the Lord guide His Church as He always has—through prayer, faith, and the power of the Spirit.
In Christ,
The Divine Office Team
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