The Vatican announced on Monday that all 133 cardinals expected to participate in the secret conclave to elect a new pope have arrived in Rome.
The race to succeed Pope Francis is considered wide open.
The conclave will commence behind the closed wooden doors of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with all cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote for Francis’s successor, who passed away last month.
Some cardinals are advocating for a new pope who will continue Francis’s commitment to a more transparent and inclusive Church. In contrast, others prefer a return to traditionalist roots that emphasise doctrine.
Conclaves typically last several days and involve multiple votes until a candidate secures the necessary three-quarters majority to become pope.
Since the day after Francis’s death on April 21, the world’s Catholic cardinals have been convening nearly daily to discuss the state of the 1.4 billion-member Church, and the number of participating clerics has steadily increased.
The Vatican reported that 180 cardinals, including 132 electors, attended a meeting on Monday morning. The 133rd elector in Rome did not participate in the discussions.
The Vatican confirmed that two cardinals from Spain and one from Kenya would not attend the conclave for health reasons.
During Monday’s discussions, the cardinals expressed “strong concern” about divisions within the Church, which may refer to disagreements over Francis’s decisions to permit blessings for same-sex couples and to engage in dialogue regarding the role of women in the Church.
Cardinals also deliberated on the profile of a future pope—”a figure who must be present, approachable, capable of being a bridge and a guide … a shepherd close to the real life of the people,” said the Vatican spokesman.
While a few cardinals are considered potential frontrunners to succeed Francis, two frequently mentioned names are Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle—many voting clerics remain undecided.
“My list is changing, and I expect it will continue to evolve over the next few days,” remarked British Cardinal Vincent Nichols, participating in his first conclave. “It’s a process that for me is far from concluded.”
The cardinals will hold a second round of discussions on Monday afternoon, with a final session anticipated on Tuesday. During the conclave, the cardinals will be accommodated in two Vatican guest houses and prohibited from contacting the outside world.
German Cardinal Walter Kasper, 92, who cannot vote, expressed confidence that the electors would choose someone to continue Francis’s progressive agenda.
“I believe there is a clear expectation. People want a pope who will follow Francis—a pastor who understands the language of the heart and does not isolate himself in palaces,” Kasper told La Stampa newspaper as reported by Reuters.
“Of course, there are also cardinals who hope for a change in direction from Francis. However, I think most cardinals favour continuity,” he added.
