The Cardinals Continue Their Daily Meetings at the Vatican
A Ceasefire Call On the Eve of the Conclave
Have They Discussed the Qualifications of the New Pope?
Photos: Vatican News Website
Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
With hearts filled with hope, the world's eyes are fixed on the Vatican, awaiting the good news that will reveal the name of the new Pope. But will the Cardinals agree on the Pope’s name? Will white smoke billow out from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel?
The answer remains on hold as the chimney becomes stable and ready, and the Vatican prepares for this delicate mission.
The Cardinals are making the necessary measures with complete transparency and objectivity. Daily meetings, highlighted by the Vatican News Website, discuss the issue of the new Supreme Pontiff, who will assume the leadership of the Catholic Church amidst many international challenges. They also address various Ecclesiastical, Liturgical, and social issues that the Vatican will bear in the coming period.
According to the Vatican News Website, the Press Office had previously published a statement in which the cardinals participating in the meetings preceding the Conclave called on the faithful to live this Ecclesial moment as an act of grace and spiritual discernment in listening to God's will. The statement indicated that the Cardinals recognize the importance of the responsibility to which they are called, but they hope the faithful will pray for them, emphasizing the need to be meek instruments of the wisdom and providence of the Heavenly Father in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
The New Pope
Despite the world's turmoil and conflicts on all sides, believers cling to their faith and raise their Prayers for the success of the election of a new Pope. What are the qualifications of the Pope?
This question remains the most important today, amidst the current developments taking place in the world!
The information available so far is based on the conclusions of the Cardinals' meeting on the morning of Monday 5 May 2025. They believed that the Pope should be a shepherd close to the people, and a gateway to communion, gathering everyone in the blood of Christ.
Issues and Files
On another level, the Cardinals discussed various issues during their meeting, focusing on the Canon law and the role of the Vatican City State, the missionary nature of the Church, and the role of Caritas in defending the poor. Reference was also 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.
As well as, 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 cardinals also recalled the Prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic as an open door of hope in a time of fear. They also discussed the challenges of transmitting the faith, caring for creation, war, and a fragmented world, expressing concern over divisions within the Church. They also addressed the role of women in the Church, in the context of synodality, as well as issues related to vocations, family, and the education of children.
The Final Meeting Before the Beginning of the Conclave
On the eve of the beginning of the Conclave to elect a new Pontiff, the Holy See issued a statement on the convening of the pre-Conclave General Assembly, in which the Cardinals expressed their deep concern for the peoples who continue to suffer under the brunt of conflict. With the escalation of attacks, particularly those targeting civilian populations, the attendees issued an urgent appeal to all parties concerned to establish, as soon as possible, a permanent ceasefire.
With these Cardinals, we unite in Prayer that God may inspire them and grant them patience, wisdom, and deliberation in making their decisions, especially as the world thirsts for a dose of joy amidst all of life’s tragedies. The election of a new Pope today is the greatest sign of hope!
Let us together recite the Prayer for the election of a new Pope, published by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem:
“Heavenly Father,
You care for Your Church and watch over her with love and wisdom.
Send Your Holy Spirit upon the Cardinals gathered in Rome.
Grant them discernment, unity, and peace.
Enlighten their hearts that they may do Your will
and act for the good of the Universal Church.
Guide them to choose the Pope whom You desire for Your Church in this time—
a successor to Peter, who will continue the mission of the Good Shepherd,
entrusted by Your Son, Jesus Christ, to Peter, the Prince of the Apostles,
as a guardian of faith and Ecclesial communion.
Through the intercession of Mary, Queen of the Apostles,
and all the saints who have served You faithfully,
we entrust this moment to Your providence.
Amen.”