The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, announced on Monday, May 5, that 179 Cardinals, including all 133 Cardinal electors, are now present in Rome ahead of the conclave scheduled to begin on May 7.
During the tenth General Congregation, the Cardinal electors took part in the proceedings, and Bruni confirmed that all are now gathered in preparation for the papal election.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, informed the assembly that Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell conducted a lottery on Saturday afternoon to assign rooms for the Cardinals. The electors will be accommodated at the Casa Santa Marta and the adjacent old Santa Marta residence. Bruni noted that they will be able to travel freely to the Sistine Chapel, including on foot, using a secured route.
Monday morning’s Congregation saw 26 interventions on a broad range of issues. Discussions included the role of canon law and the Vatican City State, the missionary essence of the Church, and Caritas’ advocacy for the poor. Attention was also drawn to the large presence of journalists as an indication that the Gospel remains relevant in the world today and serves as a call to responsibility.
Speakers reflected on the collective prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic, recalling it as a beacon of hope in a time of global fear. As for the election of the next Pope, many expressed a desire for a shepherd who is close to the people, capable of fostering communion in a world marked by crisis and division. Other concerns included challenges in faith transmission, environmental stewardship, war, and societal fragmentation. Worries about internal divisions within the Church were voiced, alongside discussions about the role of women in the Church through the lens of synodality. Vocations, family values, and children’s education also featured in the conversations, with references made to documents from the Second Vatican Council, particularly Dei Verbum, highlighting the centrality of the Word of God.
Bruni emphasized that efforts are being made to allow all Cardinals the opportunity to speak during the General Congregations. Preparations for the Sistine Chapel and the Cardinals’ accommodations are nearly complete, and check-ins will begin Tuesday morning. Journalists will not be permitted inside the Sistine Chapel, which has already been secured by the Vatican Gendarmerie, though official images of the prepared venue will be released.
