All Cardinal electors in Rome preparing for Conclave

Source: Vatican Media

All 179 Cardinals, including 133 Cardinal electors are present in Rome preparing for the conclave, and continuing their discussions on the state of the Church and their hopes for the future, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told reporters on Monday.

There were 26 interventions at the Tenth Congregation on Monday morning that touched on the following topics:

- Canon law and the role of the Vatican City State;
- The missionary nature of the Church;
- The role of Caritas in defending the poor;
- The presence of so many journalists was highlighted, seen as a sign that the Gospel has meaning for the world today-as a call to responsibility;
- The prayer during the COVID pandemic was recalled, as an open door of hope in a time of fear;
- Regarding the new Pope: many hope for a shepherd close to the people, a gateway to communion, gathering everyone in the blood of Christ, in a world where the global order is in crisis;
- The challenges of transmitting the faith, caring for creation, war, and a fragmented world were discussed;
- Concern was expressed over divisions within the Church;
- The role of women in the Church, in the context of synodality;
- Vocations, family, and the education of children were addressed;
- Reference was made to the documents of the Second Vatican Council, especially Dei Verbum, on how the Word of God is nourishment for the people of God.

Mr. Bruni said all efforts are being made during the General Congregations to ensure that all Cardinals who wish to speak have the opportunity to do so.

Work has been mostly completed on the Sistine Chapel, as well as on accommodations at the two Casa Santa Martas, and Cardinals may check in as of Tuesday morning.

Mr Bruni said journalists will not be able to visit the Sistine Chapel, since the Vatican Gendarmerie have already secured it. However, he noted, images will be released showing the prepared interior.

Watch a short video from the morning: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcS99d_SFQg&t=6s

On Monday afternoon the Cardinals participated in the eleventh General Congregation.

They began with a moment of prayer.

According to Holy See Press Office director, Matteo Bruni, around 20 interventions were presented during the meeting, with discussions focusing on several key themes:

- Ethnocentrism within the Church and society, the phenomenon of migration, migrants as a gift, and the importance of supporting the faith of migrants.

- Ongoing wars and conflicts, and themes related to the countries from which the cardinals who spoke come, particularly in Asia and Africa.

-The Synod on Synodality and the ecclesiology of communion.

-The commitment and responsibility of the cardinals to support the new Pope.

-The Cardinals outlined the figure of a pastoral Pope within the perspective of dialogue and building relationships with different religious and cultural worlds.

-The challenge posed by sects.

The General Congregation concluded at 7pm. The twelfth General Congregation is scheduled to commence on Tuesday morning, May 6, at 9am.