Conclave is like an election without candidates — Cardinal David

Following the funeral of Pope Francis and nine days of mourning, the Vatican is now preparing for the Conclave, in which the next pope is chosen, and will begin on May 7.

In Vicky Morales’ interview that was reported by Maki Pulido on “24 Oras” on Monday, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David described the conclave as an election without candidates.

“Saan ka nakakita ng halalan na walang candidates? In principle, all the participants are candidates. Ganoon talaga siya. So you start from scratch,” David said.

(Where do you witness an election without the candidates? In principle, all the participants are candidates. That’s the way it is. So you start from scratch.)

With more than 200 cardinals around the globe, 135 are eligible to participate in the conclave, including David.

“May obligasyon kasi ako in conscience na kilalanin ko ang lahat ng mga kapatid na kardinal. At ang mga kardinals na eligible ay mga 135 in all,” David said.

(I have the obligation in conscience to know all of the cardinals, and 135 cardinals are eligible.)

David shared that the cardinals can view each other's profiles on a website, which contains their background, education, and pastoral experience.

The Filipino cardinal described it as “homework” since they are getting to know each other on their own initiative with the guidance of God.

“Totoo naman ang Diyos ang masusunod. Pero ang Diyos, ini-expect din kami as human beings to use our intelligence na kilatisin ang mga kakayahan ng bawat isa. Sabihin na kandidato pero wala namang kandidato," David said.

(It’s true that the Lord’s choice will be followed. But the Lord expects us, human beings, to use our intelligence to scrutinize the capabilities of each other. It’s like having candidates without having candidates.)

Cardinals will also have a chance to know each other during the pre-conclave meetings, where they can meet, discuss, and discuss various topics.

“Opportunity din 'yun para kilatisin namin ang isa’t isa, makinig sa sinasabi ng bawat isa. At bigyan yung bawat isa ng opportunity na magbigay ng kaunting saloobin tungkol sa direction na dapat tahakin ng Simbahan, ano yung mga kasalukuyang hamon, ano yung ine-expect mo sa magiging Santo Papa. Isang paraan yun para marinig mo yung nasa puso ng bawat isa,” David said.

(It is an opportunity to know and listen to each other. Each of us will also be allowed to express our vision for the Church, identify the current challenges of the Catholic Church, and expectations for the next pope. It is a chance to listen to each other.)

Once the conclave begins, the cardinals will have the vow of secrecy.

Cardinals who attended the previous conclave cannot share their experience with the new cardinals like David, who said he did not receive any advice about previous conclaves.

“Honestly, wala, kasi may absolute confidentiality. The moment na pumasok na kami sa conclave, wala nang communication among each other. Wala nang communication kasi retreat na siya," David said.

(Honestly, they have no advice because there's absolute confidentiality. The moment you entered the conclave, we have no communication among each other. We have no communication because it is a retreat.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News