New Pope Election

The International Movement of Catholic Students in Papua New Guinea (IMCS-PNG), in collaboration with Catholic student communities from across the country, joyfully extends heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo on his election as the new Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Catholic Church.

No Pope was elected on the first day of the conclave to choose the 267th successor of St. Peter. Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9:00 p.m. on May 7, Wednesday, signaling that the initial round of voting had concluded without a successful result.

As the world turns its gaze toward the Vatican in anticipation of the election of the 267th successor of St. Peter, a centuries-old chapel—modest in size but boundless in spiritual power—once again takes center stage.

Preparations for the upcoming papal conclave are underway in the Vatican, as workers have installed the iconic chimney atop the Sistine Chapel—the most recognized symbol of the election process for a new Pope on May 2.

As the Catholic Church enters a sacred moment of transition following the funeral of Pope Francis, Catholic youth from around the world have issued a powerful joint statement ahead of the conclave, expressing their hopes, prayers, and vision for the future leadership of the Church.

The archbishop of Singapore asked the faithful to spend more time in fervent prayer as the Church prepares for the conclave that will elect Pope Francis’ successor.

As of April 2025, Asia has become a major voice in the Catholic Church, contributing 37 cardinals to the College of Cardinals—23 of whom are electors, eligible to vote in a future papal conclave.

Cardinals gathered for their fourth General Congregation on April 25, Friday morning in the New Synod Hall, as the Church prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis with the solemn funeral of “a shepherd, not a sovereign.”