Election to Choose the Successor of Pope Francis to Begin on May 7

Election to Choose the Successor of Pope Francis to Begin on May 7
[Vatican City, April 28] According to an AP report, Catholic Cardinals have set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis. They decided on this date two days before the secret voting begins, so they can get to know each other better and reach a consensus on a candidate before being sequestered in the Sistine Chapel.

After Pope Francis' funeral, the first day's informal meetings were held on Monday, during which the date for the conclave was determined. Journalists asked whether there was unity among the cardinals before the vote and whether any discord might emerge during the secret voting.

The conclave was originally planned to begin on May 5, but an additional two days have been added to allow for more discussions with cardinals over the age of 80. During these two days, the cardinals aim to get to know each other better and foster unity before the papal election.

Cardinals Hope for Unity
Argentine Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi expressed hope for unity, but mentioned that many are eager to maintain Pope Francis’ religious values and anti-war stance. However, conservatives are likely to focus on returning to more doctrinal teachings, which were emphasized during the papacies of St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

British Cardinal Vincent Nichols stated, "The pope's primary role is to keep us united, and that is the grace we’ve been given from God."

Cardinal Porras Hopes for a Quick Decision
Venezuelan Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo believes that once the conclave begins, a decision will be reached quickly, "within two to three days."

Limited Familiarity Among International Cardinals
Among the 135 cardinal electors, many do not know each other well. Of these, 108 were appointed by Pope Francis.

Some cardinals are participating in the conclave for the first time, leading to some uncertainty as they may not be well-acquainted with one another.

Uncertainty Regarding Israeli Cardinal Becciu's Vote
Meanwhile, there is uncertainty about whether Cardinal Angelo Becciu will be allowed to vote. In 2020, he resigned from his position as head of the Vatican's saint-making office and renounced his rights as a cardinal after facing legal charges under Pope Francis' direction.

Global Diverse Opinions
At the same time, Nigerian Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan mentioned that there is some mystery around whether the African cardinals are uniting behind a particular candidate.

Indian Cardinal Anthony Poola expressed that he has felt a sense of unity among his fellow cardinals but acknowledged that "anything could happen."

Finally, Argentine Cardinal Rossi said he hopes that the message of "mercy, closeness, charity, tenderness, and faith" from Pope Francis will guide them in electing a new pope.