The cardinals are gathered at the Vatican on Friday (25), the eve of Pope Francis’ funeral for the fourth general congregation.
General congregations are a series of meetings that occur on the days before the beginning of an conclave and where a profile of the necessary qualities is defined for the next pontiff.
Cardinals are the closest collaborators of a Pope, managing important departments in the Holy See and in dioceses around the world.
When a pontiff dies or waives, cardinals under 80 can participate in a secret conclave to choose the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church with nearly 1.4 billion members.
The complex vote will reveal whether the current cardinals, most of them appointed by Francis, believe that their adherence to liberal social values and their progressive reform agenda were too far away and if a period of containment is necessary.
Pope Francis’ death
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday, after suffering a stroke followed by heart failure.
It is unlikely that a conclave to choose a new pontiff start before Tuesday, May 6.
The cardinals present in Rome meet almost daily, especially to discuss logistical issues.
About 113 of the world’s 252 cardinals were present at the meeting of Thursday (24), the Vatican said.
Francisco’s coffin will be sealed in a private ceremony on Friday night, led by eight Catholic cardinals, including an American prelate that has faced criticism for his conduct of cases of sexual abuse.
Among those present will also be the pontiff secretaries.
This content was originally published in cardinals gather in general congregation before Pope Francis’ funeral on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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