Inside Edition's Mary Calvi on Covering the Historic Conclave and Election of the First American Pope

Inside Edition's Conclave Coverage

• 🎤 Mary Calvi shares her firsthand experience covering the historic Conclave from Vatican City for Inside Edition.
• 🌍 The Conclave was a week of international drama, intrigue, and suspense, culminating in the election of the first American pope.
• ✈️ Calvi traveled to Rome to report on the selection of the new leader for the Catholic Church's 1.5 billion faithful.

Behind the Scenes of the Conclave

• 🔒 The Conclave process is shrouded in secrecy to protect cardinals from outside influence, with strict vows of silence for all involved.
• 🍽️ Cardinals enjoyed a final meal at a favorite restaurant, Arloo, known for its spaghetti alla carbonara, before entering seclusion.
• 📱 Security measures included deactivating cell towers and installing signal jammers within the Sistine Chapel.

The Road to an American Pope

• 🇺🇸 Initial speculation focused on Italian cardinals, with American cardinals considered remote possibilities.
• ⚠️ The circulation of an AI-generated image of Donald Trump as Pope was believed to have damaged the credibility of American candidates among their peers.
• 🗳️ Despite long odds, Cardinal Robert Pbos from Chicago emerged as a surprising dark horse candidate.

Election and Announcement

• 💨 Black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signaled failed ballots, creating tension and anticipation.
• 🕊️ White smoke finally appeared, indicating the election of a new pontiff, followed by the ringing of bells.
• 📣 Cardinal Robert Pbos of Chicago was announced as the new Pope Leo XIV, marking a historic first for an American.

Pope Leo XIV: A New Era

• ⚾ Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Pbos, is a lifelong baseball fan and a supporter of the Chicago White Sox.
• 🤝 He is described as a friendly, warm, and soft-spoken individual, with a background as a missionary and within the Vatican hierarchy.
• 🙏 In his first address, Pope Leo XIV spoke in English, emphasizing unity and reliance on the cardinals for his mission.