In his second major address since being elected Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church, Pope Francis has again reminded the faithful that Christ, not the Pope, is at the centre of the Church.

He also explained the reasons why he took the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, offering an insight into his priorities as pontiff.

Addressing the 6,000 journalists accredited to cover the conclave, Pope Francis spoke movingly and with humor on a number of major themes, including the important role of the media in covering the Church. He pointed out that the Church is a spiritual not political body - a "holy people of God who walk toward the encounter with Jesus Christ" -  and that only...READ MORE

Pope Francis celebrated his first Mass as Pope this afternoon - the Missa pro Ecclesiae - with all the cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel.

Below is Vatican Radio’s translation of the full text of his homily (corrected from earlier version):

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"In these three readings I see that there is something in common: it is movement. In the first reading, movement is the journey [itself]; in the second reading, movement is in the up-building of the Church. In the third, in the Gospel, the movement is in [the act of] profession: walking, building, professing.

Walking: the House of Jacob. “O house of Jacob, Come, let us walk in the light of the...READ MORE

A fairly large crowd of several thousand pilgrims and tourists has gathered in St. Peter's Square this morning, many of them with their eyes fixed on the tiny chimney in the corner, beside the facade of the basilica.

The mood is upbeat, despite the wet and the cold: not the kind of weather many were expecting of Rome. But this could be a time when all expectations are scuppered and a successor Peter is elected whom few observers had been predicting.

Indeed, the longer this conclave lasts (as of writing, three votes, but no election), the more likely it is that those considered to be front-runners will not be elected, and the cardinals will decide on someone "below the radar." Such is...READ MORE

Preparations to ready the Sistine Chapel are nearing completion in time for the conclave to begin on Tuesday.

Restorers, electricians, mechanics, carpenters, seamstresses, assemblers, electronic technicians and other labourers have been hard at work since Tuesday, fitting two stoves and a chimney to burn the ballots and reveal the election results (white smoke = pope elected; black smoke no result). Earlier today, firemen installed the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, from which the world will be able to see the smoke's color.

Carpenters have laid an elevated floor in the Chapel to create a uniform area to work and walk on, and to protect the original mosaic paving....READ MORE

The Church's 75th Conclave will begin Tuesday 12th March.

The news came a little earlier than expected, at 5.30pm Rome time, when the Vatican released the following message:

"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 [for the election of a Roman Pontiff] will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica that morning. In the afternoon, the cardinals will enter into the Conclave."

The 115 cardinal electors will begin moving into the Domus Sanctae Marthae residence adjacent to St Peter’s basilica on Monday. Their apartments are allocated by drawing lots.

They will...READ MORE

One by one the cardinals arrived in St. Peter’s basilica for this evening’s prayers for the conclave, braving a gale of strong winds and heavy rain that has been buffeting Rome all day.

A number of them chose to arrive on foot through the main entrance, just like ordinary members of the public, but any attempt to enter unnoticed would be thwarted as their scarlet fascia and zucchetti would attract passers-by and well-wishers.

Cardinal Thomas Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto, was one of those who came through the main entrance. Asked if he would comment on the conclave, he very graciously said he would have to decline as he and all his confreres have now been sworn to secrecy.

By...READ MORE

The Vatican today invited the entire Church to pray with cardinals when they dedicate tomorrow afternoon, March 6th, to prayer and adoration in St. Peter's basilica for the upcoming papal election. The prayers begin at 5pm Rome time (11a.m. EST). 

According to Vatican Information Service: 

"[At this morning's general congregation] there was also a proposal, endorsed by the Particular Congregation, to dedicate tomorrow afternoon to prayer in St. Peter's Basilica. The Cardinal Dean, Angelo Sodano, will lead the prayers. This initiative will also serve as an invitation to the entire Church to pray at this important moment. The ceremony is open to the public so any faithful who so...READ MORE

A round up of some of today's stories surrounding the conclave and other related issues.

* Summary of today’s press briefing at the Vatican on the first day of the general congregation. The meeting took places in a "warm, serene atmosphere of great spiritual communion," said Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi. Vatican statement on today’s general congregation.

* Cardinal Julian Herranz, one of the three cardinals who led the commission of inquiry into Vatileaks, recently made some important points in an under-reported interview to a Spanish newspaper on the whole affair.

Notably he dismisses the sensationalism of media reports, saying speculation over the contents of the...READ MORE