The College of Cardinals, currently gathered in Rome for General Congregations ahead of the upcoming conclave, has issued a heartfelt appeal to all Catholics around the world to accompany them in prayer.
The College of Cardinals gathered for their sixth General Congregation on April 29, Tuesday morning in the New Synod Hall, where 183 cardinals were present, including over 120 cardinal electors.
The archbishop of Singapore asked the faithful to spend more time in fervent prayer as the Church prepares for the conclave that will elect Pope Francis’ successor.
The conclave to elect the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church will commence on May 7th, 2025, following the Novemdiales Masses for the eternal repose of the late Pope Francis.
As of April 2025, Asia has become a major voice in the Catholic Church, contributing 37 cardinals to the College of Cardinals—23 of whom are electors, eligible to vote in a future papal conclave.
Cardinals gathered for their fourth General Congregation on April 25, Friday morning in the New Synod Hall, as the Church prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis with the solemn funeral of “a shepherd, not a sovereign.”
The president of the Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, has said, “The election of a pope is not a political contest.”
