Cardinals of the Catholic Church held their final meetings ahead of the papal election on Saturday at the Vatican. These private sessions, called “general congregations,” are meant to discuss the major challenges the next pope will face. The cardinals’ final meeting before the vote was the ninth in a near-daily series. The papal election will begin on Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal William Seng Chye Goh said, “We do not know, we just wait for the Lord to tell us,” when asked how long the process might take. The meetings come just days after the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
Cardinals Hold Final Meetings Ahead of Papal Election With 177 in Attendance
According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, 177 cardinals were present, including 127 under the age of 80 who are eligible to vote. On Wednesday, 133 electors will enter the Sistine Chapel for a secret ballot. To become pope, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority. The cardinals were called to Rome from around the world after Pope Francis, who served for 12 years, passed away. “We recognise his achievement, but no pope is perfect,” said Cardinal Goh. “We will find the best person to succeed St Peter.”
Church Seeks Prophetic Spirit as Cardinals Hold Final Meetings Ahead of Papal Election
Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers, shared his hope that the next pope will continue the progressive legacy of Pope Francis. “We must discover the one the Lord has already chosen,” he said. The final meetings focused not only on papal transition but also on global peace, reform, and the Curia’s role in assisting the new pope. Bruni said many cardinals desire a leader with a “prophetic spirit” someone who will guide a Church open to the world and able to bring hope amid despair.
Bottom Line
As the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics await the decision, interest in the papal election remains high. Even non-Catholics are paying attention. Former US President Donald Trump joked about wanting the job, posting a photoshopped image of himself dressed as pope on Friday. With the conclave just days away, the Church looks ahead with prayer and purpose as cardinals hold final meetings ahead of the papal election.
