Cardinal Electores will be installed in Santa Marta in the afternoon prior to the conclave

The Vatican reported that the works at Casa Santa Marta to house the cardinals during the conclave are already underway and should end on Monday, May 5.

The sloping can be installed in what was the residence of Pope Francis from the afternoon of Tuesday, May 6 to the morning of the 7th, the day the conclave begins, before the Mass For choosing papa.

The Vatican reported this Saturday that the last cardinals will arrive on the weekend and that an old area of ​​Santa Marta, necessary to house the 133 cardinals, is also being remodeled, since only 120 were planned.

This Saturday, May 3, the ninth Congregation of Cardinals was held, in which a total of 177 participated, of which 127 are voters.

The ninth meeting behind closed doors began at 9:00 (Rome time) with a moment of common prayer. At the beginning, the raffle of the cardinals was carried out who will attend Camarlengo in the particular congregations for the dispatch of ordinary affairs.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost were appointed, and Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, while Cardinal Reinhard Marx was confirmed as coordinator of the Council for the Economy.

The topics discussed during the ninth general congregation

The session included 26 interventions, which addressed various issues of ecclesial and pastoral relevance. The double mission of the Catholic Church was reflected: to live and testify communion inside, and promote fraternity in the world.

The teaching of Pope Francis and the processes initiated during his pontificate were also remembered, underlining the responsibility of continuing them and guarding their legacy.

According to the Vatican, among the themes discussed, the collaboration and solidarity between the local churches, the role of the curia in relation to the Pope, the service of the Church and the Pontiff to the cause of peace, and the value of education as an instrument of transformation and hope.

A Pope with “Prophetic Spirit”

References were also made to the next jubilee and the desire that the future Pope has a prophetic spirit, “capable of guiding a church that does not lock itself, but knows how to come out and bring light to a world injured by despair.”

Some issues discussed in previous days, such as synodality and collegiality, were also resumed, and the look of the world and the attention it pays to the Church was directed.

The awareness of the risk of the Church becoming self -referential and loses its relevance if it does not live in the world and with the world. Important calls were also made to ecumenical dialogue and mission.

The congregations will be resumed next Monday morning, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The dean of the Cardenalicio College, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, also recalled that the Basilica of San Pedro organizes the prayer of the Rosary every Saturday of May at 9:00 p.m. (local time).

Tomorrow Sunday the cardinals who wish will be able to celebrate the Eucharist in their titular church.