Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In today’s episode from Rome, the team interviews veteran Vatican reporter Fr. Tom Reese, S.J. about the quirky protocols inside a papal conclave.

00:00 How accurate is the movie "Conclave"? Two big falsehoods.
6:45 The history of the college of cardinals
13:30 Lobbying, secrecy and seclusion in the conclave
15:30 How does the Holy Spirit work inside a conclave?
17:30 Should the conclave be more "synodal?"
22:02 Recent rule changes to conclave voting
26:37 What happens when a cardinal is elected?
30:57 Do cardinals consider the opinions of other Catholics before voting?
34:16 Cardinal often act differently once they are elected pope
36:36 Why it's unlikely a cardinal from the United States will be elected
38:50 What should Catholics do during the conclave?

More from Tom Reese, S.J.:
Conclave: Everything you need to know about electing a new pope: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/28/papal-transition-new-pope-conclave-2025-250480

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