Conclave meet; Africa and Asia may hold the key to the future of Catholics

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (right), Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti (centre) and Cardinal William Goh Seng Chye after a congregation meeting at the Vatican, on May 3, 2025. [AFP]

With few days remaining before 133 cardinal electors are sealed behind the ancient doors of the Sistine Chapel to choose the 267th pope, global attention is riveted on Rome-not merely to witness who will don the white robes, but to see whether the Catholic Church is prepared to embrace a future beyond Europe's long-standing dominance.

On Saturday, the Holy See released a video highlighting preparations for Wednesday's conclave. The footage revealed meticulous details: workers installing the iconic stove where ballots will be burned-its smoke signalling to the world whether a new pontiff has been chosen-and a false floor laid over the Sistine Chapel's hallowed tiles to level the space for the cardinals.