VATICAN CITY — Catholic cardinals have scheduled May 7 as the official start date for the conclave to elect a new pope, allowing themselves additional time to deliberate informally before entering the Sistine Chapel for the solemn, secret balloting. The decision came Monday, two days after the funeral of Pope Francis, as cardinals gathered for preliminary meetings marked by solemnity, lingering tensions, and calls for unity.
The conclave could have opened as early as May 5, but the College of Cardinals opted for a two-day delay to facilitate greater dialogue among themselves. The informal meetings, which also include cardinals over 80 years old — who are barred from voting once the conclave begins — are seen as crucial for forging consensus in an increasingly globalized Church.
“There is the hope of unity,” said Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi, the 66-year-old archbishop of Córdoba, Argentina, and one of Pope Francis’ most recent appointees. Many electors expressed the desire to continue Francis’ emphasis on outreach to the marginalized and advocacy against war, though conservative voices hinted at steering the Church back to a stronger focus on doctrinal purity, reminiscent of the papacies of St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, in a homily during a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica marking the third official day of mourning, urged the cardinals to embrace Francis’ spirit of reform and to resist “power alliances” and retaliatory politics in choosing his successor.
British Cardinal Vincent Nichols, 79, emphasized that the new pope’s primary role would be to preserve unity within the Church. “The role of the pope is to essentially hold us together, and that’s the grace we’ve been given from God,” Nichols said.
Venezuelan Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo expressed optimism that the selection process would not be prolonged, predicting a decision within “two to three days” once the conclave formally begins.
The College of Cardinals set to elect the next pontiff reflects the global footprint that Francis cultivated during his 12-year papacy. Of the 135 eligible voting cardinals, 108 were appointed by Francis, representing diverse regions far beyond the Church’s traditional European strongholds. However, many have little personal familiarity with one another, adding an element of unpredictability to the proceedings.
“We’ve got all week,” said Cardinal Nichols, acknowledging the limited relationships among the cardinals, especially after the most recent consistory in December added 20 new members.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are permitted to vote, though it remains unclear if all 135 electors will be present. A Spanish cardinal has already announced he will not travel to Rome for health reasons.
One unresolved issue facing the cardinals involves Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the disgraced former prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Becciu was stripped of his rights as a cardinal in 2020 amid accusations of financial misconduct and was convicted in December 2023 by the Vatican’s criminal court on finance-related charges. He is currently appealing his conviction.
Despite participating in the pre-conclave meetings, Becciu’s eligibility to vote remains in question. Official Vatican records list him as a “non-elector,” but Becciu has insisted on his right to participate. Canon lawyers are reportedly reviewing conclave regulations to determine his status. Discussions among the cardinals on Monday yielded no definitive resolution.
Although Pope Francis shaped the College of Cardinals, it remains uncertain whether the majority of his appointees will seek to continue his legacy.
Among the names circulating is Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, a leading contender, who humorously dodged a throng of reporters outside the Vatican walls Monday, joking that he was “holding his breath” under the scrutiny.
Journalists scrambled for insights from every cardinal who ventured near St. Peter’s Square, eager to detect any signs of emerging alliances or leading candidates.
Nigerian Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, 81, noted that while African cardinals have voiced strong opposition to some of Francis’ more progressive initiatives — notably the recent Vatican guidance permitting blessings of same-sex couples — the conclave would not devolve into a political battle.
“We have not come here for a political rally. We have come to get a pope out,” said Onaiyekan, who, despite being over 80 and ineligible to vote, will nonetheless influence discussions.
With 18 voting cardinals from Africa, analysts suggest they could play a pivotal role, particularly in blocking any candidate perceived as too progressive.
Indian Cardinal Anthony Poola, 61, said he sensed a spirit of unity among his fellow cardinals, though he acknowledged the unpredictability inherent to the conclave. As one of four Indian cardinal-electors — three of whom were appointed by Francis — Poola emphasized the hope that the next pope would faithfully continue the mission of St. Peter.
“There’s a sense of unity, but anything could happen,” Poola said.
Back in Argentina, Cardinal Rossi expressed his hope that the spirit of “mercy, closeness, charity, tenderness, and faith” championed by Francis would guide the cardinals in their decision. When asked about the prospect of participating in his first conclave, he responded with a chuckle: “Afraid.”
As the clock ticks toward May 7, cardinals are bracing for a monumental decision that will shape the future of the Catholic Church for decades to come.
AP
