Advertisement
The Room of Tears is just a few feet away from the Sistine Chapel, where the monumental decision of the papal election is made by Catholic cardinals.
Just days before the conclave begins, Spanish Cardinal Cristobal López Romero, Archbishop of Rabat (Morocco), assured ACI Prensa that unity in the Catholic Church depends not only on the Pope, but on all Catholics.
The appeal came as the cardinals concluded their seventh general congregation — the daily meetings leading up to the start of the conclave on May 7.
Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, said the names of the two cardinals would not be revealed during an afternoon press briefing.
The Vatican announced Monday that the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7, as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope.
Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years. Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition:
At the first general congregation of cardinals in Rome on Tuesday, the estimated 60 cardinals in attendance chose the date of Pope Francis’ funeral.
While he has appointed 78% of electors, factors including limited gatherings and logistical challenges suggest the next conclave’s outcome remains unpredictable.
Reports said Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda had been tasked by Pope Francis with drafting revisions to conclaves.
With his ninth consistory in 10 years of his pontificate, Pope Francis will lock down his influence on the College of Cardinals for the next conclave, considering the overwhelming majority of cardinals will have been created by him.
On Aug. 27, Pope Francis will create 20 new cardinals, bringing the total number in the college to 229.
Cardinal George Pell turned 80 years old on Tuesday, losing his eligibility to vote in a future papal conclave.