As the Catholic Church stands at the threshold of a new papal election, the College of Cardinals is calling on Catholics around the world to unite in prayer for the upcoming conclave, set to begin on May 7 in the Sistine Chapel.
Following their seventh general congregation on Wednesday, the cardinals released a statement through the Holy See Press Office, acknowledging both the weight of the decision before them and their dependence on divine guidance.
“Faced with the enormity of the task ahead and the urgency of the present time, it is first of all necessary to make ourselves humble instruments of the infinite wisdom and providence of our heavenly Father, in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit,” the statement read, citing 1 Corinthians 12:12 to emphasize the unity of the Church as the Body of Christ.
The cardinals urged the faithful to accompany them in prayer, invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary’s “maternal intercession” as they discern who will become the 267th successor to St. Peter. “This is the true force that in the Church promotes the unity of all the members of the one body of Christ,” they said.
Cardinal Becciu Steps Aside
Wednesday’s session also confirmed that Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, previously embroiled in a financial scandal, will not participate in the conclave. On Tuesday, Becciu announced he would renounce his right to vote “to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave,” while maintaining his innocence, according to the Vatican.
Becciu had resigned his privileges in 2020 and was later convicted in December 2023 of embezzlement, aggravated fraud, and abuse of office. He is currently appealing the conviction. The College expressed appreciation for his decision, hoping that “the competent organs of justice will be able to definitively ascertain the facts.”
133 Electors Expected to Vote
Despite a historical cap of 120 electors set by Universi Dominici Gregis — the 1996 apostolic constitution by Pope St. John Paul II — the college reaffirmed that Pope Francis had lawfully exceeded this number. Paragraph 36 of the constitution affirms that any cardinal created and published retains the right to vote.
Citing similar precedent from John Paul II’s 2001 conclave, the college noted that 133 cardinals under the age of 80 are expected to vote next week. Two cardinals from Spain and Kenya will be absent due to health concerns.
Vatican Finances, Evangelization Among Topics
The general congregations, which began April 30, have included wide-ranging discussions on Church governance and mission. Cardinal Reinhard Marx presented on economic challenges, while Cardinal Kevin Farrell reviewed investment practices. Cardinals Christoph Schönborn, Fernando Vergez, and Konrad Krajewski also spoke on matters related to the Vatican Bank, the Governorate, and the Dicastery for Charity.
In total, 14 cardinals contributed interventions on themes such as synodality, episcopal collegiality, vocations, and evangelization.
The session concluded with the Regina Coeli prayer, underscoring the spiritual tone of the proceedings.
A Time of Grace
Looking ahead to the conclave, the College of Cardinals stressed that this is not merely a procedural event, but a sacred time of discernment.
“The College of Cardinals… wishes to invite the people of God to live this ecclesial moment as an event of grace and spiritual discernment, listening to the will of God,” the statement said. “Indeed, [the Holy Spirit] is the protagonist of the life of the people of God, the One to whom we must listen, accepting what he is saying to the Church (cf. Rev 3:6).”
Balloting will begin on May 7 and continue until one candidate secures the required two-thirds majority.
