During the IX General Congregation held at the Vatican, the absences due to health reasons of Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares and Kenyan Cardinal John Njue were noted. It was established that the Conclave will begin on the afternoon of next Wednesday, at which point the cardinals will lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel to elect the successor of Francis.
The cardinals deliberated about the legacy of Francis' pontificate and the importance of maintaining an openness during the previous sessions. The overall atmosphere was marked by the willingness to ensure unity, mission, and truth as fundamental pillars of ecclesial discernment.
During the assembly, Cardinal Fernando Filoni emphasized the need for collaboration, mentioning that the future pope will need help from the College of Cardinals and bishops around the world, as he cannot address all issues by himself. The general desire expressed was that the new Pope could continue in continuity with Francis.
The IX General Congregation included the participation of 133 cardinal electors under 80 years old. The assembly took place in an atmosphere of collective reflection and search for agreement among the cardinals. At the end of the meeting, Argentine Cardinal Vicente Bokalic Iglic stated: 'We are still looking for the new Pope.'
In line with the comments made, Italian Cardinal Marcello Semeraro declared: 'In the conclave, we seek a conductor, not a soloist.'
