Closing the tabs ...

Vice Pres. JD Vance says Russia is "asking for a certain set of concessions in order to end the conflict" in Ukraine, adding that the Trump administration thinks they're "asking for too much." https://t.co/W0168Y9lEn pic.twitter.com/AQl1lm5MFR

— ABC News (@ABC) May 7, 2025

Ed: Trump and Vance have made a strong play to engage Putin. At times, he's gone overboard to jolly Putin along, but it was done in service of attempting to determine whether a deal is possible. Right now, it's becoming clear that Putin won't take a deal that leaves Ukrainian sovereignty even in the current positions.held by the troops. There is value in that clarity, even if it leaves the situation in a stall.

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India and Pakistan faced off militarily after a militant attack on tourists that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad, but the nuclear-armed neighbors appeared to be calibrating their responses to avoid full-blown conflict after decades of relative peace.

Pakistan threatened to hit back after retaliatory strikes by India on nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir overnight Wednesday. Islamabad said its response would correspond to actions taken by New Delhi, which had described its attacks as non-escalatory. 

Despite the violence, including cross-border shelling Wednesday, both sides sought to display a measured approach as the Trump administration urged them to avoid further escalation. 

Ed: Pakistan has played footsie with the L-e-T terrorists for decades, and India is tired of it. Islamabad recognizes that now, and they want to keep this from escalating into an all-out war that they would certainly lose. 

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This is the day we enter the conclave and I’m about to go into the Domus Sanctae Marthae, named after St. Martha, who took care of hospitality for Jesus. We leave here and go over to the Sistine Chapel every day for prayers and voting, but this is where we reside. I won’t be able… pic.twitter.com/uO0zGdrwbo

— Cardinal Dolan (@CardinalDolan) May 7, 2025

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With the start of the conclave May 7, there are five cardinal electors who bring a significant amount of experience to the process.

Four electors — Cardinals Peter Turkson, Philippe Barbarin, Péter Erdő, and Josip Bozanić — became members of the College of Cardinals in 2003 and have participated in two conclaves before this one.

Cardinal Vinko Puljić, the archbishop emeritus of Sarajevo, received the red hat in 1994, making him the elector with the most years — nearly 31 — as cardinal. He has also participated in two conclaves: the 2005 conclave that elected Benedict XVI and the 2013 conclave that elected Francis.

Ed: If you're inclined to play Papabili Sweepstakes, this might be one criterion to watch. Erdo and Turkson are the best known of this group, both often mentioned on "short lists," etc etc. Puljic is probably a little old, though; he's just four months shy of the 80-year cutoff for eligibility to vote in a conclave.

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Big fan of Cardinal Pizzaballa pulling a Mr Bean during the Conclave pic.twitter.com/9xLfKr8Fum

— Pope Spinoza (@JohnThePapist) May 7, 2025

Ed: Cardinals ... they're just like us! During Mass, too. 

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Faced with the highly secretive and complex ritual of choosing a new pope, Catholic cardinals have turned to Hollywood to learn how it could all play out. 

As crazy as it might sound, some of the 133 high-ranking clerics set to enter the Sistine Chapel when the conclave starts on Wednesday have looked to the Ralph Fiennes movie ― handily titled just “Conclave” ― for pointers.

Ed: Bwa-hahahahahahaha. Either Politico is pulling our leg, or a cardinal is pulling theirs. Cardinals do not need Hollywood to tell them how conclaves work. The Catholic Church has been conducting these for two millennia, with the current form emerging from angry subjects in 13th-century Viterbo. 

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Shoutout to that one seagull locked in on the Conclave proceedings pic.twitter.com/EwNdwjR19H

— Fr. Cassidy Stinson (@TheHappyPriest) May 7, 2025

Ed: I seem to recall similar sights during the 2013 conclave, too. 

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The 12 general congregations held by the cardinals have laid the groundwork for the conclave now underway. Many of the themes raised by the cardinals — reported in briefings and official statements from the Holy See Press Office — highlight the issues and priorities that the new supreme pontiff will be called to address.

1. Importance of Canon Law

This was a recurring theme throughout the discussions held during the 12 general congregations. It could suggest the possible candidacy of Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő, metropolitan archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and primate of Hungary, and one of the foremost experts in canon law. Cardinal Pietro Parolin may also be among the likely candidates if the electors consider a strong focus on canon law to be essential.

Ed: This is well sourced, based on the public discussions from the pre-conclave meetings. These are far more informative than the papabili sweepstakes.

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"I believe the kids call it rawdogging," is how a CBS anchor described the Cardinals going into Conclave to pick the next Pope.

The same CBS that just got done claiming President Trump "insulted Catholics" by posting a meme.pic.twitter.com/QWnZ4h2ln5

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 7, 2025

Ed: Never stop never stopping, establishment media!