By Paschal Norbert
ROME, MAY 2, 2025 (CISA) — As the Catholic Church stands on the threshold of electing a new pope, the College of Cardinals, gathered in Rome for the General Congregations, has issued a heartfelt appeal to the Catholic faithful to accompany the upcoming Conclave with prayer and spiritual solidarity.
In a statement released by the Holy See Press Office on April 30, the Cardinals emphasized that this moment in the life of the Church should be embraced as an “event of grace and spiritual discernment,” rooted in the collective effort to seek the will of God. The statement underscores the gravity of the task before them and the need for divine guidance as they prepare to choose the successor to Pope Francis.
“The Cardinals, conscious of the responsibility to which they are called, feel the need to be supported by the prayers of all the faithful,” the statement read. Citing St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, the Cardinals highlighted the power of unity through prayer, calling it “the true force that in the Church promotes the unity of all the members of the one Body of Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 12:12).
Acknowledging the weight of the moment and the challenges facing the Church and the world, the Cardinals pledged to act in humility, allowing themselves to be “humble instruments” of God’s providence.
“It is first of all necessary to make ourselves humble instruments of the infinite wisdom and providence of our Heavenly Father, in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit,” the statement continued further, “Indeed, he is the protagonist of the life of the People of God.”
The statement concluded with a call for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, entrusting the entire process to her maternal care as the Church seeks new leadership.
The Conclave is set to begin on May 7, 2025, inside the Sistine Chapel, with 133 cardinal electors expected to participate.
