Cardinals gather in St Peter’s Basilica for final Mass before conclave to choose new pope

The College of Cardinals gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday for a final Mass before the upcoming conclave to elect the next Pope following the death of Pope Francis last month. The Mass served as a solemn prelude to the private process that will ultimately determine the new leader of the Catholic Church.

Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, led the prayer during the Mass, seeking divine guidance for the 133 cardinals who will soon enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the papal election process. He asked for wisdom, good counsel, and understanding to guide their decision-making as they select the next pontiff.

The cardinals, representing 70 countries, will be completely isolated from the outside world during the conclave. Their cellphones will be surrendered, and all communication channels will be jammed to ensure the secrecy and sanctity of the election process until a new Pope is chosen.

Pope Francis had appointed 108 of the 133 cardinals, deliberately selecting individuals who reflected his inclusive and progressive vision for the Church. His appointments included pastors from countries like Mongolia, Sweden, and Tonga, marking the first time these nations had a cardinal in the College.

Despite their diverse backgrounds, many cardinals had only just met each other in the lead-up to the conclave. This lack of familiarity raised questions about the length of time it might take for one candidate to secure the two-thirds majority required to become the 267th Pope.

As the cardinals prepared for the final day of discussions before the conclave, Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Vatican’s ambassador to Syria, urged patience and a “wait and see” approach. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the Church awaited the selection of its new spiritual leader.

The papal election process is a closely guarded tradition that blends ancient ritual with modern technology. The cardinals will gather in the historic Sistine Chapel, where centuries of papal history have unfolded. The eyes of the world are on the College of Cardinals as they embark on this sacred duty to choose the next successor to St. Peter.

As the conclave unfolds behind closed doors, Catholics around the globe wait with bated breath to learn who will emerge as the new Pope. The weight of this responsibility rests on the shoulders of the cardinals as they engage in prayer, reflection, and discernment to select the individual who will lead the Church into the future.

The legacy of Pope Francis looms large over the conclave, as the cardinals seek to build upon his legacy of compassion, inclusivity, and reform. The world watches as the College of Cardinals fulfills its sacred duty to elect the next shepherd of the Catholic Church.