Ruth Gledhill

1 week ago | thetablet.co.uk | Ruth Gledhill |Patrick Hudson

White smoke from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicated a new Pope was elected this afternoon to succeed Pope Francis. The new Pope is expected to emerge soon onto the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square, when his given name and papal name will be revealed. The cardinal electors will also appear on the loggia of St Peter’s Basilica when the announcement of the 266th successor of St Peter is made.

1 week ago | thetablet.co.uk | Ruth Gledhill

Searches for “how to become Catholic” have increased by 373 per cent across the world between 20 to 26 April, according to analysis of data from Google Trends. Pope Francis appeared in public in Rome on the 20 April to bless the Easter crowds, and then passed away on the 21st April 2025. The data, by Vatican Tickets & Tours, reveals that searches for how to become Catholic increased by more than three times, which they say is “unprecedented”.

2 weeks ago | thetablet.co.uk | Ruth Gledhill |Liz Dodd

Who will emerge from the coming conclave in Rome as the next pope? In the latest Tablet newsletter (the twice-weekly newsletter can be signed up for via our website), Ruth Gledhill writes:When I spoke to Sister Liz Dodd CSJP for our latest Tablet podcast, naturally our thoughts turned to the death of Pope Francis, his funeral and legacy, and the coming conclave. She has a column in the coming print edition. She previewed a little of her reflections.

3 weeks ago | thetablet.co.uk | Ruth Gledhill

Two of England’s four cardinals appeared together earlier today to talk movingly about the death of Pope Francis and the extraordinary legacy he has left for the Church and the world. Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe OP, former Master of the Dominicans, who are both aged 79 and therefore being under 80 entitled to vote in the coming conclave, spoke of how his life and death illustrated the victory of love over hatred.

4 weeks ago | thetablet.co.uk | Ruth Gledhill

The groundbreaking support and advocacy service for refugees and migrants, Jesuit Refugee Service, has appointed a new director to succeed Sarah Teather, the former MP who stepped down last year after nine years in the role. Dr David Ryall is founding director of the Santa Marta Group, the global anti-slavery initiative chaired by Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols with the encouragement of Pope Francis. He will take up the position at JRS UK next month.