Vatican City: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, has urged the cardinal-electors to set aside personal considerations as they prepare to elect the next pope, focusing solely on the well-being of the Church and humanity. This call was made during a mass he presided over for the election of the Supreme Pontiff at St. Peter’s Basilica.

According to Radio Okapi, Cardinal Re, in his homily, encouraged the electors to pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit, who has provided a series of great pontiffs over the last century. He expressed hope that the Church would receive a new pope who aligns with the heart of God and who is capable of awakening the consciences and moral and spiritual energies of society, especially during this challenging and complex time characterized by significant technological advances that often lead to the neglect of God.

Preparations for the conclave are reportedly complete. Approximately one hundred officials and staff members of the Conclave, both clerical and lay, have taken the oath of secrecy. The “Room of Tears” in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican is ready to robe the new Supreme Pontiff. It is in this space that the new Bishop of Rome will don the papal cassock for the first time before being presented to the public, as stated by the Vatican.

The profile of the cardinal-electors indicates that there are 133 cardinals tasked with choosing the 267th Roman Pontiff in the Sistine Chapel, including Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Archbishop of Kinshasa. Canon 349 of the Code of Canon Law specifies that cardinals form a special College tasked with electing the Supreme Pontiff.

The Apostolic Constitution stipulates that the right to elect the Roman Pontiff belongs solely to the cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, excluding those who have reached the age of eighty before the death of the Supreme Pontiff or before the Apostolic See becomes vacant. The College of Cardinals currently has 252 members, with 135 eligible electors, although two will not participate in the conclave due to health reasons, leaving 117 non-electors.

To elect the Supreme Pontiff, at least two-thirds of the votes are required. For this particular conclave commencing on Wednesday, May 7, the Vatican indicates that 89 votes will be necessary to elect the Pope, with the number of cardinal-electors standing at 133. The conclave comprises 52 cardinals from Europe, 37 from America, 23 from Asia, 17 from Africa, and 4 from Oceania.

SOURCE: RADIO OKAPI