As you know the conclave begins on the 7th of May. By next Sunday we will have the name of the 267th Pope in the history of our church. I am very excited about the new Pope and who he will be. This is going to be the biggest conclave (133 cardinals attending) as two eligible cardinals will not be their on account of their health problems.
When the conclave enters the Sistine Chapel to elect the successor to Peter’s throne, they will carry on their shoulders a heavy responsibility for the fate of our Church. The media writes who they think it might be, but the experience tells us that in the past, none of the favorites gets elected and becomes the next Pope. I, for one have been hoping for a Pope from an African country but it has not happened. At any rate we all want a Pope with qualities that go far beyond being a kind of CEO of the Catholic church.
Inevitably, he should possess a strong faith and humility as his chief responsibility will be helping to guide 1.4 billion Catholic souls to the next world. He should manifest a love for Christ that extends to every member of the flock for whom Christ is the Good Shepherd.
Please say a prayer this week before the conclave begins, that the Holy Spirit will guide the cardinals to elect the Pope Christ wants and desires.
Fr. Marian