Cardinals ask for prayers ahead of conclave

The College of Cardinals, who have been meeting to discuss various issues since the death of Pope Francis, has asked the people for prayers a few days before the conclave.

"The College of Cardinals gathered in Rome, engaged in the General Congregations in preparation for the Conclave, wishes to invite the People of God to live this ecclesial moment as an event of grace and spiritual discernment, listening to the will of God," according to the statement from the Holy See that was posted by the press office.

"For this reason, the Cardinals, conscious of the responsibility to which they are called, feel the need to be supported by the prayers of all the faithful. This is the true force that in the Church promotes the unity of all the members of the one Body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor 12:12)," it added.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the fifth general congregation of the cardinals on April 28 had approximately 20 interventions, which “addressed issues of particular relevance for the future of the Church”.

These issues, as stated in a news advisory in Italian, include “the relationship with [and challenges in] the contemporary world,” “evangelization,” “the relationship with other faiths,” “the issue of abuse” in the Catholic Church, and “the qualities that the new Pontiff will have to possess to respond effectively to these challenges.”

On Wednesday, the Congregation of Cardinals issued a declaration that tackled the number of Cardinal-electors and the situation of Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu.

All cardinal electors were recognized despite the their number exceeded the limit stipulated in the document entitled "Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis" authored by Saint John Paul II in the 22nd of February 1996.

The Holy See also announced that two cardinals will not be able to join the conclave due to health reasons.

There are 133 cardinal electors who will enter the conclave on May 7, 2025 to elect the next pope, who will lead more than a billion Catholics around the world.

The program of activities and the authorized personnel allowed during the conclave have also been finalized.

"Faced with the enormity of the task ahead and the urgency of the present time," said the Holy See, adding that "it is first of all necessary to make ourselves humble instruments of the infinite wisdom and providence of our Heavenly Father, in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit."

"Indeed, he is the protagonist of the life of the People of God, the One to whom we must listen, accepting what he is saying to the Church (cf. Rev 3:6). May the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany these prayers with her maternal intercession." — BAP, GMA Integrated News