International
Long wait at the Vatican: experts defend lengthy papal election process
The media present to cover the event expressed concern about the delay.
However, experts explained that the wait was normal and called for patience.
“I expected it to take even longer—not only because of Father or Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa (who gave the meditation after the Sistine Chapel doors were closed), who tends to preach at length—but also because the oath-taking dragged on much more than the last time,” said Kurt Martens, a professor at the School of Canon Law at the Catholic University of America, speaking to CNN.
He explained that each cardinal must walk up to the altar to cast his vote, and while there, must pronounce the oath in Latin:
“I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will judge me, that I give my vote to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.”
Even if each cardinal took only one minute, with a record 133 voting cardinals, just casting the votes would take 133 minutes—over two hours.
“It’s not like you have twenty-somethings sprinting to the altar, so it takes time,” Martens added.
In addition, time must be taken to select scrutineers or to assist any cardinal who is ill and unable to physically be in the Sistine Chapel.
Then comes the vote counting, which also takes time. “It’s a long process,” Martens said. His advice for the next days of voting, which will include four rounds per day:
“Be patient.”
Other experts recalled past conclaves, such as the one that elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, when a cardinal mistakenly cast two ballots (one of them blank), which forced the vote to be restarted.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were no reports of any such issues.
If no pope is elected after the first three days, the fourth day (Sunday, as Wednesday’s vote does not count) will be a day of reflection, without voting. If the conclave continues, the cardinals may eventually vote between the top two candidates. A two-thirds majority is required to elect the new pope.
Once a winner is chosen, white smoke will rise from the chimney, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica will ring, and shortly after, the pope’s baptismal name and chosen papal name will be announced to the world.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
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Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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