LOOP POPE WATCH: Conclave Day 1: HISTORICALLY high turnout, black smoke

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 - POPE WATCH RECORD-BREAKING CROWD GATHERS FOR DAY 1 OF CONCLAVE  A record-breaking crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square today on the first evening of the papal conclave, with more than 45,000 faithful present to witness the first fumata nera, or black smoke, indicating that no pope has yet been elected. READ BLACK SMOKE! AN EXPLAINER OF THE VOTING PROCESS  The conclave has begun, and today we saw black smoke coming out through a chimney from the cardinals within the Sistine Chapel. They can cast ballots up to four times a day in the process of electing a new pope. But at most, the world will see the smoke only twice in a day. How does it all work? Read all about it here!  READ POWERFUL HOMILY: PRAY FOR A POPE WHO WILL 'AWAKEN CONSCIENCES'  The opening day of the conclave began today with a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who in his homily called on the faithful to pray for a new pope who "will awaken the consciences of all."  FULL HOMILY REPORT: NOT ALL GERMAN CARDINALS WANT ANOTHER FRANCIS  Cardinal Walter Kasper recently declared that the "majority" of cardials want another Pope Francis, but apparently not all German cardinals agree. According to German journalist Evelyn Finger, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki "certainly has a different opinion. Unlike Cardinal Kasper, Cardinal Woelki is a voting cardinal currently participating at the conclave.  READ GET YOUR FRIENDS IN ON THE POPE WATCH  Make sure all your friends get the most out of our on-the-ground reporting and analysis by forwarding this edition of the LOOP to them or inviting them to sign up at CatholicVote.org/GetLOOP. STAY IN THE LOOP EDUARDO VERASTEGUI LEADS ROSARIES AT ST. PETER'S  Mexican actor Eduardo Verástegui has been leading the rosary in the afternoon at St. Peter's Square since May 4, livestreaming the prayers on his social media accounts that have over a million followers. Verástegui starred in the 2024 films "Sound of Freedom" and "Cabrini" and is currently the president of Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Mexico.  READ TOP 10 PAPAL NAMES  We don't know what the name of the new pope will be, but there definitely seem to be some historical favorites! Here are the top 10 names that popes have chosen to take throughout Chuch history.  READ LOOP EDITOR CHECKS IN FROM ROME!  Here's CatholicVote Vice President Josh Mercer, editor of the LOOP, with a brief Day 1 report from Rome! Stand by for more of these video updates every day during this historic time! WATCH & SHARE Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here. CATHOLICVOTE  |  PO Box 3310  |  Carmel, IN 46082  |  (317) 669-6127