In a historic gathering, 252 cardinals met inside the Vatican on April 22 to begin secretive deliberations about Pope Francis’ final arrangements. The event marked the first general congregation, one of several meetings that will take place ahead of the conclave, the assembly of cardinals to elect a new pope.
According to veteran Vatican journalist John Thavis, the general congregations offer a forum for open discussion and debate among the cardinals. “This allows cardinals to exchange views, identify candidates, and, to some degree, lobby for their favorites,” he said.
Since the start of the congregation, nearly 70 individual speeches have been delivered by the cardinals. However, only those under the age of 80 are allowed to participate in the conclave. The general congregations, on the other hand, are open to all cardinals.
Cardinals will use this time to reassess the church’s pastoral priorities and audition potential candidates for the top job. “It’s an occasion when the careful discernment of character and competence is more subtle than partisan,” said Michael Higgins, author of The Jesuit Disruptor: A Personal Portrait of Pope Francis.
Informal get-togethers during these gatherings are also crucial, as many cardinals have spent little time together. These unplanned encounters provide an opportunity for the cardinals to ask questions and take in ideas about potential candidates.
The importance of these events cannot be overstated, especially this time around. As John Thavis noted, Pope Francis created cardinals from distant places, making them relatively unknown figures. This will be a major factor in the conclave, as many voters have never met before.
In 2013, Argentina’s Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergolio used these general congregations to his advantage, delivering a speech that clinched his election. Since then, Pope Francis has emphasized the need for the church to evangelize and reach out beyond itself. As Thavis recalled, “his words impressed many cardinals and clinched his ascent to the papacy.”
As the cardinals prepare for the conclave, history reminds us that what happens behind closed doors could open up new horizons for tomorrow’s Catholic Church.
Source: https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/process-select-new-pope-has-already-begun-cardinals-are-meeting-almost-daily-pre-conclave