Catholic cardinals gathered for their ninth general congregation at the Vatican on Saturday, continuing preparations for the conclave to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
The cardinals are holding these closed-door meetings to reflect on the future of the Church and the qualities needed in its next leader.
According to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni, 177 cardinals attended Saturday’s session, including 127 under the age of 80 — the cutoff for voting eligibility. By the start of the conclave on Wednesday, 133 cardinal electors will be locked inside the Sistine Chapel, where they will conduct secret ballots until a two-thirds majority is reached for a new pope.
Cardinal William Goh of Singapore, viewed as a conservative voice, noted that the process remains in God’s hands: “We just wait for the Lord to tell us.” Meanwhile, Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers said he hoped the conclave would choose someone who would carry on Francis’s reform-minded and outward-looking approach.
The meetings have touched on major Church concerns, including global peace-building, administrative reform, and the role of the Curia. There is a strong emphasis, Bruni said, on selecting a pope with a “prophetic spirit” capable of guiding the Church toward engagement with a troubled world.
The death of Pope Francis, known for his progressive reforms and advocacy for the poor, has left a complex legacy. Cardinals have praised his papacy but acknowledged that the Church now faces new challenges, requiring a leader with vision and compassion.
The conclave and the future of the Catholic Church are drawing global attention — including, unexpectedly, from outside the faith. Former U.S. President Donald Trump posted a doctored image of himself dressed as pope on social media, jokingly suggesting he’d be interested in the position.