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May 7, 2025

Good morning. India struck sites in Pakistan, two weeks after a terrorist attack in Kashmir. Trump said the U.S. would stop attacks on the Houthis in Yemen. And the U.S. plans to send some migrants to Libya.

More news is below. But first, Elizabeth Dias, a religion correspondent, has a primer on the papal conclave.

St. Peter’s Basilica. Francisco Seco/Associated Press

The conclave begins

	By Elizabeth Dias I cover religion.

The process of picking the next pope starts in a few hours. I’m in Rome reporting about it. Today’s newsletter answers questions I keep hearing about how the Catholic Church selects Pope Francis’ successor.

How long does the conclave last?

As long as it takes! Church rules require two-thirds of the eligible cardinals to agree on a pick, which this time means the new pope needs to earn 89 votes. One conclave in the 13th century took nearly three years. Others took just one day. Pope Francis was elected on the second day and the fifth ballot. White smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel chimney when the cardinals reach a consensus.

What happens between votes?

Cardinals are sequestered. They can’t use cellphones, the internet, television or other pipelines to the outside world. Votes take a long time, as each cardinal walks to the front of the chapel to cast his ballot. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York told me he planned to bring a book — on Michelangelo — and read while he waits. In their downtime outside the Sistine Chapel, cardinals might talk with one another, pray or read. If they have not reached a consensus after four days, the cardinals get a day off, but remain sequestered.

What do the prelates eat?

They stay in isolation at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where Pope Francis lived, so they eat whatever the cafeteria prepares. The Vatican kitchen staff and other employees swear oaths of secrecy.

A cardinal arrives in Rome. Claudia Greco/Reuters

What kind of pope do they want?

Different factions and individuals all have different priorities. Some want a pope who will prioritize tradition and interpret church teaching strictly, more in the style of John Paul II or Benedict XVI. Others may want another leader like Pope Francis. Georgia Bernhard, a reader from New York, asked The Morning if the church would pick “a similarly progressive, humanitarian pope.” That is one of the biggest questions of the conclave. The College of Cardinals is more diverse than ever. At the same time, popes all have their own characteristics and priorities. We will have a hint of what kind of papacy the next one might be when the new pope appears on the balcony.

Is there a front-runner?

Not really. The election of Pope Francis in the last conclave surprised even the most astute Vatican watchers. Still, several contenders have emerged as top possibilities. There’s Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, a longtime diplomat and the Vatican’s secretary of state. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, an Italian, is the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, has been called the “Asian Francis.” Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary, 72, is an expert on canon law and a favorite of conservatives. (We give more background about some of the rumored contenders here.)

Did Pope Francis change Catholic politics?

Pope Francis tried to diversify and streamline the bureaucracy at the Vatican. Now, it’s not clear how secure some of those reforms are — or what his successor might try to change. Francis also elevated cardinals from regions of the world that weren’t represented before. But just because Pope Francis picked them doesn’t mean they share all of his views.

Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco speaks to the press.  Eloisa Lopez/Reuters

How do you get to be a cardinal?

The pope chooses! A cardinal is the highest clerical rank, and bishops and archbishops get the cardinal title at the pope’s discretion, based on a range of factors that might include pastoral leadership and political prowess. Other church leaders might advise the pope on good candidates, but it’s his call. Only men are eligible, according to church law.

Why can’t cardinals over age 80 vote?

Pope Paul VI established this rule in 1970, partly to make it easier for non-Italians to succeed him. The policy also compels cardinals to offer their retirement at age 75; the pope can keep them in service or accept their resignations. This time, 117 cardinals are not eligible to be electors. Some are in Rome. Others are too old to travel. None are allowed to be in the Sistine Chapel for the votes.

More conclave coverage

The vote for the next pope is also a referendum on Francis’ papacy — and there is plenty in his legacy to fight over, Jason Horowitz and Motoko Rich write. A college professor has run an annual simulation of the 1492 conclave, complete with costumes, for 15 years. This year’s was the first to be interrupted by the death of an actual pope. See photos. How much do you know about the conclave? Test yourself with this quiz.

THE LATEST NEWS

India-Pakistan Conflict

In Muridke, Pakistan. Murtaz Ali/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

India launched strikes against Pakistan, two weeks after a terrorist attack killed 26 civilians in Kashmir. Pakistan, which has denied involvement in the attack, said it had begun a “measured but forceful” response. Kashmir, a valley wedged between the two nations, has been the central issue in decades of tensions and conflict between them. See a timeline.

Yemen

President Trump said the U.S. would stop bombing the Houthi militia in Yemen, after the group agreed to stop attacking American vessels in the Red Sea. It was unclear how fully the deal protects international shipping. Trump’s announcement caught the Pentagon off guard. Officials scrambled to figure out how military policy would change. Israel bombed Yemen’s main airport in retaliation for a Houthi missile attack, which had struck near Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv.

More International News

Friedrich Merz became Germany’s chancellor, but only after losing the first round of a confirmation vote in Parliament. Every previous modern chancellor won in the first round. Five top Venezuelan opposition figures have fled to the U.S.

Immigration

The U.S. plans to send some migrants to Libya on a military plane. Rights groups say conditions in the country’s migrant detention centers are “horrific.” New York police officers gave federal authorities the sealed arrest record of a woman detained at a Columbia protest. Officials are using the information to try to deport her.

Tariffs

Mattel, which makes Barbies, said it would raise prices because of tariffs. Trump suggested last week that children might have to make do with fewer dolls. The Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said the U.S. could announce deals with major trading partners as soon as this week. He added that negotiations with China hadn’t started. The share of imports to the U.S. that came from China fell to its lowest point in over 20 years.

More on the Trump Administration

Mark Carney in the Oval Office.  Eric Lee/The New York Times

In the Oval Office, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada was “not for sale.” Trump responded, “Never say never.” Their joint appearance was otherwise cordial. The Supreme Court ruled that Trump could enforce a ban on transgender troops while challenges move forward in lower courts. The Senate voted to confirm Frank Bisignano, a former Wall Street executive, as Social Security commissioner. Republican lawmakers want to allocate $257 million to the Kennedy Center, roughly six times what the government usually gives it. Trump took over the organization in February.

Other Big Stories

DoorDash agreed to buy the British food delivery service Deliveroo. The deal would increase DoorDash’s presence in Europe and bring it to the Middle East. A half-ton Soviet spacecraft that has been adrift for 53 years will return to Earth this week. Experts don’t yet know where it will land.

THE MORNING QUIZ

Today, we’re introducing a new game that you’ll see from time to time: The Morning Quiz. The questions will come from recent editions of the newsletter. Click your answer to see if you’re right. (The link will be free.)

The best-selling author James Patterson sometimes collaborates with celebrities to write thrillers. He announced on Tuesday that a future partner would be:

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers Michael Waltz, the former national security adviser MrBeast, the YouTuber Ina Garten, the celebrity cook

A DEADLINE TODAY

Real ID is finally real: As of today, airports across the United States will now require passengers to have this more secure form of identification to clear security. If you’re not sure whether your ID is “real,” have a look: There will be a star or, in some cases, an American flag.

Did you drop the ball? You’re not alone. More than half of Californians have a Real ID, but less than a third of Pennsylvanians do — and fewer people in New Jersey.

I’m flying. What now? Bring your passport or another T.S.A.-approved document. If you don’t have one, you might be OK. But you’ll have to go through an extra screening, which “includes collecting information such as your name and current address,” according to the T.S.A.’s website.

Fix it: Click here to apply for your Real ID. But fair warning: It may take a while. Lines have been long and appointments scarce as people rush to get their updated cards before the summer travel season. Here’s everything you need to know. — Adam B. Kushner

OPINIONS

“How much does the next pope matter?”: Three conservative Catholics, including Ross Douthat, discuss the conclave and the church’s future.

Here’s a column by Thomas Edsall on the Trump family and corruption.

The Games Sale: Play new puzzles every day.

You can now save up to 75% on your first year of a New York Times Games subscription. It’s our best offer yet. Play all of our word and logic games (and discover the puzzle archives), track your stats, plus more. Time’s running out though, so subscribe today.

MORNING READS

Jennifer and Patty Lu. Carolyn Fong for The New York Times

Family meals: Running a restaurant is hard enough. Try doing it with your mother.

Living well: Our idea of happiness is shallow. Here’s how to deepen it.

Your pick: The Morning’s most-clicked link yesterday was about Kamala Harris’s surprise appearance at the Met Gala.

Lives Lived: Lulu Roman brought her big-hearted Texas sass and full-throated gospel vocals to the enduring variety show “Hee Haw,” known for its corn-pone comedy sketches and for featuring a constellation of country stars. Roman died at 78.

SPORTS

N.B.A.: The Warriors beat the Timberwolves, 99-88, and the Pacers secured a 120-119 win over the Cavaliers. That means home teams have yet to win a game in the conference semifinals.

Trending online yesterday: The Champions League match between Inter Milan and F.C. Barcelona grabbed attention as one of the best matches in the competition’s history. Inter defeated Barca, 4-3.

THE MET GALA

Style over comfort.  Nina Westervelt and Amir Hamja for The New York Times

During our staff meeting yesterday, the Morning team marveled over the Met Gala outfits. But we had a few — mainly logistical — questions. Times reporters had the answers.

The rapper André 3000 showed up with a Steinway piano strapped to his back. Was it heavy?

The replica weighed just a fraction of the real thing. It was made of plywood, foam and 3-D printed elements, coming in at only 30 pounds (about the weight of a medium-size dog).

Do attendees take off the most unwieldy outfits when they get inside?

According to Sandra Garcia, a Times reporter at the event: It depends. André shed his piano, and Diana Ross ditched her gown’s 18-foot train. But Pamela Anderson, who wore a bejeweled Tory Burch gown, stuck it out. “She seemed to be sitting sideways a little bit,” Sandra told me. — Desiree Ibekwe

Related: Pop stars and the mayor of New York City kept bopping into the early hours. See photos from the after-parties.

More on culture

King Charles III and Queen Camilla unveiled their coronation portraits. See them here. “I think Donald Trump just got friend-zoned”: The late night hosts joked about the Carney meeting.

THE MORNING RECOMMENDS …

Christopher Testani for The New York Times

Pair nuggets of golden ground turkey with sugar snap peas and a mound of fresh herbs.

Find the right effort level for a strength workout.

Reduce your microplastic exposure.

GAMES

Here is today’s Spelling Bee. Yesterday’s pangram was meowing.

And here are today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections, Sports Connections and Strands.

Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow.

P.S. The Times’s first Well Festival is today, featuring conversations with experts on topics such as sleep, nutrition, happiness and aging. It begins at 8 a.m.; you can watch a livestream here.

Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com.

Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti Associate Editor: Lauren Jackson News Staff: Desiree Ibekwe, Brent Lewis, German Lopez, Ashley Wu News Assistant: Lyna Bentahar Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch

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