Conclave Black Smoke, Sistine Chapel Cybersecurity, Civil and Canon Law Collide in Washington State

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for Wednesday, May 7, 2025 -- the first day of the papal conclave. In this episode: Top cardinals urged the cardinal electors to choose the pope needed for this difficult moment in human history, and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for that daunting task. Cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton described the Vatican's security protocols for the conclave -- which include device bans, mobile service blackouts and military jamming -- as a "gold standard" in preserving confidentiality and privacy. The Trump administration has ordered an investigation into a Washington state law that would require priests to violate the seal of the confessional in reporting abuse. The Supreme Court will allow a Trump administration ban on transgender military. As the conclave continues, "Bible in a Year" podcast host Father Mike Schmitz said faithful should remain in prayer, since the conclave is not an ordinary election but a "spiritual moment." Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Conclave Day 1 Beginning with the Holy Spirit and 'Black Smoke' 

Sistine Chapel Cybersecurity

Washington State Law and Confessional Seal

Transgender Military Ban

Praying with the Conclave