Since the passing of Pope Francis to God, the entire Church turns in prayer towards Rome, where the cardinals are preparing to enter the conclave. This Monday, at 9 a.m., they held their fifth General Congregation to finally set the date for the opening of the conclave: it will be next May 7th.
In this solemn atmosphere, the voices of the cardinals resonate, marked by gravity and hope. Far from any human politics, it is under the breath of the Holy Spirit that each intends to work. Nigerian Cardinal John Onaiyekan was very clear:
"We are not here to do politics, but to elect a pope," thus reminding that this election is first and foremost an act of faith, not a power game.
Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples, strongly recalled that participating in a conclave is neither a worldly honor nor a subject for applause. "It is a time of silence and discernment," he said, insisting that the prayer of the universal Church accompany the cardinals in this most daunting mission. No fanaticism, no parochial spirit: only the sincere search for the divine will.
Regarding the profile of the future pope, voices converge to emphasize continuity. Spanish Cardinal José Cobo Cano, Archbishop of Madrid, acknowledged the immense work of Pope Francis, particularly on issues of peace, respect for creation, and dialogue with the modern world. "He opened many doors; we must continue on this path," he affirmed, calling for perseverance in this mission.
Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, an 81-year-old Italian and therefore a non-elector, also emphasized that if one seeks a new style, it must remain rooted in fidelity to the Church. "The criteria for choosing are not merely human," he recalled, evoking the very particular atmosphere that reigns when one enters the Sistine Chapel. At the moment of choice, only the good of the Church must prevail.
As for Cardinal Fernando Filoni, another respected voice of the Sacred College, he simply stated that the future Holy Father must above all embody a faithful continuity with Peter, and carry the Church in its unity.
Faced with the diversity of the cardinals—there will be 135 electors, well beyond the theoretical threshold of 120—some mention a possibly longer conclave. Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Sweden shared that, being at his first conclave, he expected the process to take time, because "the cardinals do not yet know each other very well." A reflection supported by Cardinal Versaldi, recalling that history teaches that many conclaves were long and difficult.
Hope is no less present. For Cardinal Stephen Ameyu, Archbishop of Juba in South Sudan, there is no human limit: "The next pope can come from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, or North America." This is not a geopolitical calculation: it is the Holy Spirit who will speak in the heart of each cardinal.
Beyond human questions, the mission of the future pope will be immense. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, insisted on the urgency of evangelization. Witnessing to our faith in a fragmented world, adapting without betraying, remaining united despite diverse realities: these are the true challenges. He also insisted on the defense of Christian minorities everywhere in the world, particularly in the Holy Land, a faithful image of the persecutions striking the children of the Church.
Finally, Cardinal Michael Czerny delivered a message of hope: if the gaze of the cardinals remains fixed on Christ and on their mission, the diversity of viewpoints will not be a weakness, but a richness. The Church has always drawn its strength from the unity of faith, beyond human differences.
This time is therefore a time of intense prayer. The entire Church, with Mary, Queen of the Apostles, implores the gift of a new Father, firm in faith, wise in governance, gentle towards the little ones, and intrepid before the world. May the Lord, through the intercession of the holy pontiffs who preceded us, guide His cardinals and give the Church the shepherd according to His Heart.