U.S. cardinals receive sendoff before conclave
U.S. cardinals gathered at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where many have been residing over the past week, before heading to their new, temporary residences at the Vatican.
Six of the cardinals posed for a photo, including Cardinals Blaise J. Cupich of Chicago, Daniel N. Dinardo of Galveston-Houston (retired), Timothy M. Dolan of New York, Wilton D. Gregory of Washington (retired), Robert W. McElroy of Washington, and Joseph W. Tobin of Newark.
The cardinals then boarded a small bus and departed the campus, as seminars lined the street, enthusiastically waving, applauding, and cheering them off.
Tonight, and for the duration of the conclave, the cardinals will stay at either the Casa Santa Marta or next door at the “Old Santa Marta” building. Both buildings are on Vatican premises and are physically connected. Cardinals were assigned their rooms on May 3 by lottery.
“Please ask the Holy Spirit to guide us”
Earlier in the day, Cardinal Tobin released a message via social media. It read:
“Tomorrow, I will join with the other Cardinal Electors in fulfilling our sacred responsibility to elect a new pope. During this time, I will have no communication with anyone outside the Sistine Chapel’s walls. Please ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we discern God’s will.”
Once the conclave begins tomorrow and the words “Extra omnes!” (All out!) ring out in the Sistine Chapel, the only communication received from the cardinal electors will be by smoke signal. Black smoke will appear from the newly installed chimney on the roof of the chapel if no candidate has received a two-thirds majority of votes, white smoke if a new pope has been elected.
You can watch the sendoff for the U.S. Cardinals below:
Featured image: U.S. cardinals pose for a photo at the Pontifical North American College in Rome May 6, 2025, before traveling to their temporary residences inside the Vatican where they will stay during the conclave to elect a new pope. Standing are, from left, Cardinals Wilton D. Gregory, retired archbishop of Washington; Blase J. Cupich of Chicago; Daniel N. DiNardo, retired archbishop of Galveston-Houston. Seated are, from left, Cardinals Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., Timothy M. Dolan of New York and Robert W. McElroy of Washington. (CNS photo/Kendall McLaren)
