By Peter Omopo
All 133 cardinal electors have arrived in Rome ahead of the highly anticipated papal conclave scheduled to begin on May 7, the Vatican confirmed on Monday.
This development was announced by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, during a media briefing on the latest General Congregation—a series of meetings in which cardinals deliberate on the state and future of the Catholic Church. A total of 179 cardinals, including the 132 eligible to vote, participated in the tenth session held earlier in the day.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, disclosed that the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, had conducted the customary drawing of lots on Saturday to allocate room assignments for the electors. All will reside at the Casa Santa Marta and the adjoining old Santa Marta during the conclave.
Bruni added that the cardinals would be able to move freely between their accommodations and the Sistine Chapel, where the conclave voting will take place, using a secure and protected route.
During Monday’s session, 26 cardinals delivered interventions covering a broad range of topics, including:
- Canon law and the governance role of Vatican City State
- The Church’s missionary identity and social outreach through Caritas
- The global media’s interest in the papal transition, seen as a testament to the relevance of the Gospel
- Reflections on the Church’s spiritual role during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Desires for the next pope to be a pastoral figure close to the faithful, capable of unifying a divided world
- Major challenges facing the Church, such as environmental care, war, and weakened transmission of faith
- The need to address internal divisions and clarify the role of women within the Church under synodality
- Issues concerning vocations, family life, and children’s education
- Renewed emphasis on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, especially Dei Verbum, highlighting Scripture as essential nourishment for believers
Bruni noted that every effort is being made to ensure that all cardinals who wish to speak are given the opportunity during these preparatory meetings.
Meanwhile, preparations at the Sistine Chapel, the venue for the conclave, are nearing completion. Cardinals may begin checking into their assigned lodgings on Tuesday morning.
The Vatican also announced that while the Sistine Chapel is now sealed off to the public, official images of its prepared interior will be released to the media.
