April 28, 2025, marked a significant moment in Vatican City as cardinals from around the world convened for the first time since the funeral of Pope Francis. Their meeting, characterized by a mix of solemnity and cautious optimism, could be decisive in setting the date for the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope.
On Monday morning, cardinals arrived at the Vatican with visible smiles, some pausing briefly to speak to journalists, while others chose a swift and silent entry, according to La Stampa. Despite the outward display of unity, internal discussions revealed diverging opinions about the duration and approach to the conclave. Some cardinals suggested that “2-3 days would be sufficient,” while others stressed the importance of taking more time, pointing out, “We do not know each other well enough.”
The atmosphere recalls the events of March 2013, as highlighted by The New York Times. Then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina delivered a brief but impactful four-minute speech during a closed session prior to the conclave. His call for a Church that would break away from self-referential isolation resonated deeply with the cardinal electors, leading to his election as Pope Francis.
Following a weekend during which hundreds of thousands of faithful gathered to pay their respects at Pope Francis’ funeral, the cardinals now embark on a crucial week of preliminary meetings. These gatherings, involving leading “papabili” (potential papal candidates), provide a rare opportunity for cardinals under the age of 80, who are eligible to vote in the conclave, to assess each other’s priorities, charisma, and visions for the future of the Church.
These sessions, formally known as “general congregations,” serve as a forum for brief statements on key issues facing the Church. They also allow cardinals to quietly gauge the strengths and weaknesses of potential candidates. Yet, these meetings come with a strict, unwritten rule: no active campaigning. As seasoned Vatican observers often note, “He who enters the conclave a pope, exits a cardinal.”
However, history has shown exceptions to this maxim. In 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then Dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered a powerful homily during the funeral of Pope John Paul II. His strong denunciation of the “dictatorship of relativism” bolstered his standing and contributed to his eventual election as Pope Benedict XVI.
Similarly, during the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the current Dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered the homily. Although at 91 years old he is not eligible to vote, his speech subtly steered the conversation toward the legacy of Francis. He emphasized the immense crowds drawn by Francis’ charisma and vision, hinting that the next pope should embody similar qualities.
The timing of the conclave remains uncertain, but it could commence as early as May 6. This tight timeline places additional pressure on papabili to balance visibility with discretion. As they make their interventions during this week’s general congregations, they must project a compelling vision for the Church’s future without appearing overtly ambitious.
A critical question looms over the proceedings: Should the Church continue along the path charted by Francis, reverse course, or forge a new direction altogether? How the cardinals answer this question in the coming days will shape the future of Catholicism worldwide.
