This story ran May 5. See related update.
In the week since Pope Francis was entombed at St. Mary Major, cardinals arriving in Rome to take part in the conclave that will decide his successor have been friendly if vague with the press. But as the Wednesday (May 7) start to the conclave draws closer, cardinals who earlier stopped to chat noncommittally to reporters as they came and went from pre-conclave meetings have become more hesitant to talk, even declining to return a greeting.
“Right now, everything is secret,” a rare exception, Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana, told RNS. “It’s the moment for prayers right now.”
The mood in Rome has grown more sober as the number of prelates present nears the full complement of cardinal electors. The Vatican said on Saturday (May 3) that 177 cardinals in all were present for the day’s meeting, including 127 of the expected 133 cardinals who are younger than 80, eligible to vote in the conclave and healthy enough to come to Rome.
‘Not ready yet’
The atmosphere has also grown tense as rumors about a short conclave have waned and the electors have talked less of consensus. In a diverse and relatively new College of Cardinals, some prelates have seemingly become focused on candidates they know well. Meanwhile, the format of the pre-conclave meetings, known as general congregations, has been called into question by cardinals who want less speechifying and more open discussion of issues and the attributes required of the next pope.
“We are not ready yet,” said French Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers, Algeria, speaking to journalists while leaving the general congregation on Saturday. “We need more time to pray together and discuss.”
Asked whether the cardinals were narrowing down the possible candidates, Chilean Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib said, “There are 133 names.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Aleja Hertzler-McCain and Claire Giangravé and originally published by Religion News Service.
