The Conclave: A Historic Gathering to Elect the Next Pope
The death of Pope Francis has set in motion a centuries-old process within the Roman Catholic Church, as cardinals from around the world converge on the Vatican to mourn, honor, and ultimately elect his successor.
According to NPR, the composition of today’s College of Cardinals is unlike any that came before. The cardinals, who will form the all-important conclave, are tasked with choosing the next pontiff.
A Diverse College of Cardinals
The College of Cardinals has undergone significant changes under Pope Francis, with a greater emphasis on representing the global Catholic Church. As NPR reports, there are 135 cardinal electors, all under 80 years old, who will participate in the conclave. This represents a significant shift, with 108 of these cardinals appointed by Pope Francis.
The College of Cardinals now boasts a diverse membership, with electors from 70 countries. Europe still accounts for about 40% of the electors, but representation from other regions, such as Asia and the Americas, has increased.
The Conclave Process
The conclave, which will begin 15 to 20 days after Pope Francis’ death, promises to be a complex gathering. According to church rules, cardinals can start the proceedings before the 15-day mark, but only if all electors are present.
The job of calling cardinals to the Vatican and overseeing the conclave falls to the dean of the College of Cardinals, currently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. However, due to his age, Re will not participate in the conclave, which will instead be overseen by Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Challenges and Expectations
The 2025 conclave will be a challenging and unpredictable process, according to experts like Massimo Faggioli, a church historian, and Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law.
"It’s really a much more complicated chemistry this time," Faggioli told NPR. "Because also, there’s a very complicated international situation which affects different cardinals, different local churches in different ways."
The size of the College of Cardinals, with over 130 electors, may also pose difficulties in reaching a consensus. Martens noted that the cardinals "don’t know each other. They rarely meet, and only for some celebrations" that don’t last long.
The Legacy of Pope Francis
Pope Francis has left an indelible mark on the College of Cardinals. His appointments have reflected a more diverse and global Catholic Church. The next pope will be expected to continue this legacy and navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
As NPR reported, Villanova’s Faggioli noted that the next pope "will not be able to ignore and deny the changing features of global Catholicism, which is much less European, much less white, less North American and more Global South."
The conclave will be a critical moment in the history of the Catholic Church, as cardinals gather to elect a new leader. The world will be watching as they seek to choose a pope who will guide the Church in the years to come.
Sources:
- NPR
- Mario Tama/Getty Images
- AP Photo
