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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for Wednesday, May 7, 2025 -- the first day of the papal conclave. In this episode: Top cardinals urged the cardinal electors to choose the pope needed for this difficult moment in human history, and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for that daunting task. Cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton described the Vatican's security protocols for the conclave -- which include device bans, mobile service blackouts and military jamming -- as a "gold standard" in preserving confidentiality and privacy. The Trump administration has ordered an investigation into a Washington state law that would require priests to violate the seal of the confessional in reporting abuse. The Supreme Court will allow a Trump administration ban on transgender military. As the conclave continues, "Bible in a Year" podcast host Father Mike Schmitz said faithful should remain in prayer, since the conclave is not an ordinary election but a "spiritual moment." Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Conclave Day 1 Beginning with the Holy Spirit and 'Black Smoke' 

Sistine Chapel Cybersecurity

Washington State Law and Confessional Seal

Transgender Military Ban

Praying with the Conclave

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Gina Christian talks with OSV News editor-in-chief Gretchen Crowe and international editor Paulina Guzik, both in Rome, about the papal conclave now underway -- the ancient process through which the Catholic Church chooses a pope. Find out what the dean of the College of Cardinals told the prelates at Mass ahead of the voting, and the papal buzz on the streets of Rome. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

LIVE: Countdown to conclave

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re's homily to the cardinals

Conclave smoke watch

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for May 6, 2025. In this episode: On the eve of the conclave, the ring and seal of the late Pope Francis were destroyed, while cardinals held their final pre-conclave meeting. Several Asian cardinals are being eyed as possible candidates for the papacy. In the U.S., a new report estimates how mass deportation plans could leave millions of the nation's citizen children without one or more parents, while the Archdiocese of New Orleans is fighting a possible dismissal of its long and costly bankruptcy case. In his last charitable gesture, Pope Francis donated one of his popemobiles to Gaza, where it will be converted into a mobile medical unit for children. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Conclave Eve Ceremonies and Final Meeting

Asia's Papabili

Mass Deportations and U.S. Kids

Archdiocese of New Orleans Bankruptcy

Popemobile to Gaza

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for May 5, 2025. In this episode: Cardinals meeting ahead of the conclave share their thoughts on the gathering as they explore the challenges facing the Church and the qualities needed in the next pope. Several Catholic bishops speak out after President Donald Trump posted (and the White House reposted) an AI social media image of himself as pope. Ukraine's religious leaders met in Washington with Archbishop Timothy Broglio, head of the U.S. Catholic bishops' conference, urging Americans to "be on the side of truth" in Russia's war on Ukraine. And in Wisconsin -- if you can't get to Rome for a Jubilee Year pilgrimage, a "pilgrim passport" still awaits you at three Marian shrines located in that state. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

"Cardinals on the Street"

Conclave Congregations for May 5

Trump AI Pope Image

Ukrainian Religious Leaders: Be on the Side of Truth

Marian Pilgrim Passport

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Gina Christian speaks with OSV News media reviewer John Mulderig about the film "Conclave." As the real-life conclave to elect the next pope begins, how accurately does this movie -- directed by Edward Berger, and featuring an all-star cast -- reflect what happens behind the doors of the Sistine Chapel? Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read John Mulderig's review of "Conclave"

Read John Mulderig's analysis of papal conclaves in other films

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for May 2, 2025. In this episode: On the National Day of Prayer (May 1), President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a religious liberty commission. Religious communities near Jerusalem are working to recover after devastating fires scorched some 5,000 acres, with arson believed to be the cause. Cardinals and representatives from the Eastern Catholic churches mourn Pope Francis during a May 2 Mass. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, now in Rome for the conclave, said amid the grieving over Pope Francis' death, there is hope and a sense of urgency. A Maryland pastor said he's got "enormous confidence" in the conclave process, since he witnessed it up close in 2005. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Trump Religious Liberty Commission

Jerusalem Fires

Eastern Catholics Mourn Pope Francis

Cardinal Tobin: Grief, Urgency and Hope After Francis

Father Smith Goes to the Conclave

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Gina Christian talks with OSV News editor-in-chief Gretchen Crowe and international editor Paulina Guzik, both in Rome, about the upcoming papal conclave -- the ancient process through which a pope is chosen. Find out how it all works, how the cardinals prepare, and what happens after a new pope has been named. (Hint: There's a "Room of Tears" and some serious pre-planning with regard to papal vestments). Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Live: Countdown to conclave

Conclave smoke watch

Priest shares insider view of conclave

Not 'one size fits all' for papal vestments

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for May 1, 2025. In this episode: The Vatican's former doctrinal chief cautions cardinals against "elegant speeches" that veil "subtle cruelty" for the poor and vulnerable. The Holy See's UN diplomat tells the assembly the best way to remember Pope Francis is to renew a spirit of collaboration while seeking disarmament. New York State seeks to make physician-assisted suicide a reality. In France, thousands flock to venerate a relic of the holy tunic, the seamless garment worn by Christ. Five years ago today, the U.S. consecration to Mary was renewed amid the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Cardinals Beware: "Subtle Cruelty"

Holy See to UN: Disarm, Dialogue to Honor Pope Francis

New York State Assisted Suicide

Holy Tunic of Jesus

Five Years Later: The Renewal of US Marian Consecration

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for April 30, 2025. In this episode: The Supreme Court hears arguments on public funding for a proposed Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. House Speaker Mike Johnson talks about a Trump bill as a possible means of redirecting public funding away from "big abortion." Here's a look at the cardinals who will select the next pope, the U.S. "home team," and the digital natives among the cardinals. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

SCOTUS on Oklahoma Catholic Charter School

Mike Johnson on Defunding Planned Parenthood

Conclave Update

U.S. "Home Team" Cardinals

Digital Native Cardinals

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for April 29, 2025. In this episode: Polls show Trump's approval ratings have fallen, including among Catholics. The Catholic Labor Network urges Trump to rescind an order against collective bargaining by federal workers. Pilgrims to the Jubilee of People with Disabilities learn the story behind a beloved Marian hymn written by a monk with cerebral palsy. Swedish Cardinal Anders Arborelius warns against viewing the Church and the pope through political and ideological lenses. Plus, news on when -- and where -- to look for the smoke that signals the election of the next pope. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Trump at 100 Days

Catholic Labor Network

Jubilee of People with Disabilities

Swedish Cardinal Anders Arborelius

Conclave Smoke Watch