The Vatican recently announced that the conclave to select the next pope will commence on May 7, following the funeral of Pope Francis. This decision was made during the first general congregation of cardinals held after the late pontiff’s burial. General congregations, which are closed-door meetings where cardinals discuss church matters and make logistical arrangements for the conclave, have been ongoing since Pope Francis’ passing.
It is important to note that only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to participate in the papal election. Currently, there are 135 eligible cardinal electors, although some may not be present for the conclave. For instance, Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, the former Archbishop of Valencia, cited health reasons for his absence.
According to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni, over 180 cardinals have already arrived in Rome and participated in the recent general congregation. However, only around 100 of them are eligible to vote in the conclave.
During the congregation, the cardinals discussed the future of the Catholic Church and the challenges it faces. Cardinals Reinhard Marx, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Dominique Mamberti were selected to assist Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, in managing the Church’s affairs during the sede vacante (vacancy of the papal seat) period. Farrell, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Dublin, is responsible for overseeing the Vatican’s temporal assets during this transitional phase.
The daily congregations will continue at 9 a.m. local time, with exceptions on May 1 and May 4. On May 7, before the conclave commences, the cardinal electors will gather for the Mass Pro Eligendo Papa (Mass for the Election of the Pope). They will then proceed to the Sistine Chapel, take an oath of secrecy, and begin voting. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope.
Preparations for the conclave are already in progress, with the Sistine Chapel closed to the public. Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, who was previously stripped of his rights by Pope Francis due to his involvement in a financial scandal, has withdrawn his request to participate in the conclave. Although listed as a “non-elector,” Becciu argued that he was never formally excluded.
It is worth noting that 108 of the 135 eligible voting cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis, which will likely influence the outcome of the conclave. Experts anticipate that this conclave will be one of the most globally diverse in Church history, as Pope Francis elevated cardinals from over 20 countries that had never been represented in the College of Cardinals.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, was laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in a simple burial, as per his request. His funeral at St Peter’s Basilica on April 26 was attended by thousands of mourners, including world leaders and dignitaries.
The Church now awaits the selection of the next Bishop of Rome, as the conclave approaches. This solemn and consequential tradition will determine the future leader of the Catholic Church.
