We can’t see what’s going on in the chapel, but the voting procedure follows a centuries-old tradition.

Nine cardinals would have been chosen at random to perform specific roles:

In order of seniority, the cardinals will walk to the table in front of the altar, where the Scrutineers sit, to cast their ballot.

After all ballots are cast, the first Scrutineer shakes the urn to mix them up. The third Scrutineer counts the ballots. If the number of ballots doesn’t match the number of electors, the ballots are burned and the vote is redone.

If the number is correct, the first Scrutineer unfolds the ballot, notes the name and passes it to the second Scrutineer.

The second Scrutineer notes the name and passes the ballot to the third Scrutineer.

The last Scrutineer reads the name aloud for all the cardinals to hear and records the vote. As the name is read out, the Scrutineer threads a needle through the ballot with the word “Eligo” (“I elect”) and secures it to the other ballots.

After reading out all the names, the cardinals learn if they have elected a new pope. For each round, the sewn-together ballots are placed in a third urn for burning.

The color of the smoke from that fire tells the world when there is a new pope.

CNN
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Britain’s King Charles and heir to the throne Prince William laid wreaths in Westminster Abbey on Thursday at the culmination of the country’s four days of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

The thanksgiving service in the Abbey began with a two-minute silence, which was also observed across the country, to remember Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender, which took effect on May 8, 1945.

Charles and William, military medals pinned on their chest and standing beside elderly veterans in wheelchairs, laid wreaths at the the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, in a show of respect for those who gave their lives in World War Two.

The anniversary, which comes at a time of ongoing conflict in Europe with Russia’s war in Ukraine, was also marked with events in France and Germany, while Moscow will hold a major military parade on Friday.

Speaking at a defense conference in London on Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the day a celebration of defiance, sacrifice and courage.

“A victory not just for Britain but for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil,” he said.

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of the “sacred” victory over Adolf Hitler, and said his country was standing against “neo-Nazism,” a characterisation of the current conflict in Ukraine that is strongly rejected by Kyiv.

Putin was holding talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is joining Russia’s celebrations.

French President Emmanuel Macron was due to lay a wreath at the statue of French wartime hero Charles de Gaulle in Paris and inspect a troop parade at the Arc de Triomphe. Dozens of World War Two-era vehicles will also parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue.

In Berlin, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will address the Bundestag, the lower house of Germany’s parliament,during a special remembrance session.

VE Day’s 80th anniversary will be one of the last major celebrations with living veterans attending events, as most are now in their 90s or older.

British veterans were among the congregation at Westminster Abbey in London. They will be greeted by Charles and his wife Queen Camilla after the service, before senior royals also lay flowers at a memorial nearby.

Veterans also attended a grand military parade and flypast close to Buckingham Palace on Monday, one of a series of anniversary events, in what has been a busy few days for Charles.

The monarch, 76, was last year diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer and is still undergoing treatment.

Later on Thursday there will be a concert at Horse Guards Parade for 10,000 people. Charles and Camilla will be in the audience to hear music and the stories of veterans.

President Donald Trump teased a significant trade announcement to be announced today — a source familiar with the administration’s plans tells CNN the deal will be with the United Kingdom.

It’s yet another sign of some possible relief from historically high tariffs that have threatened serious damage to the US and global economies.

In his post, Trump didn’t specify which country, but his administration has suggested it is in active negotiations with India, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Japan. Trump’s top trade adviser, Peter Navarro, told CNN Tuesday that he suspected the UK may be the first country to sign a trade agreement with the United States.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be the UK first or India first, it’s — we’ve got a little twist in the in this India story, so that might slow things down there, but I can assure the American people that there will be deals, and they will be very good deals for the American people,” Navarro said.

For weeks, Trump officials have said they are talking to more than a dozen countries and are nearing a deal, but none have been announced so far. Trump has frequently said he is in no rush to sign a deal, claiming that countries have been “ripping off” America for years and the high tariffs the United States has imposed will help balance trade.

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