Over 5,000 Faithful Join Cardinals in Prayer Ahead of Pope Election at Vatican

In a deeply reverent Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff held on the morning of 7 May at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, called on the Church to unite in faith and prayer as the Conclave prepares to elect the next Pope.

The Mass, attended by all voting cardinals and more than 5,000 faithful, marked a sacred occasion of reflection and supplication, just hours before the Conclave was set to convene in the Sistine Chapel.

“In a special way, we feel united with the entire People of God in their sense of faith, love for the Pope, and confident expectation,” Cardinal Re said in his homily.

Drawing from the Acts of the Apostles, he reminded the faithful of how the early Christians, united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, set a profound example for the Church to follow today.

Cardinal Re underscored the importance of electing a new Pope during what he described as a "difficult, complex, and troubled turning point in history."

He urged the cardinals to ensure that their decision is guided solely by the Church's and humanity’s well-being.

“To pray, invoking the Holy Spirit, is the only right and proper attitude to take as the Cardinal electors prepare to undertake an act of the highest human and ecclesial responsibility,” Cardinal Re remarked, emphasizing the exceptional significance of the task before them.

Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Cardinal Re reiterated Christ’s commandment to love without limits. “The love that Jesus reveals knows no limits… Love is the only force capable of changing the world,” he declared passionately.

He also outlined the new Pope’s pivotal mission: to foster communion between bishops, between the Pope and Christians, and across cultures and peoples.

"Each Pope continues to embody Peter and his mission, representing Christ on earth; he is the rock on which the Church is built," said Cardinal Re, referencing Matthew 16:18.

As the Cardinal electors prepared to cast their votes, Cardinal Re urged the faithful to pray that the Holy Spirit would guide the electors toward a leader capable of awakening the “moral and spiritual energies” of a world that often forgets God.

“May we pray for a Pope who knows how best to awaken the consciences of all,” he added. “The world expects much from the Church in safeguarding fundamental human and spiritual values.”

Over 5,000 faithful gathered at Saint Peter’s Basilica to join Cardinals in a solemn Mass, invoking prayer and unity ahead of the Conclave to elect the next Pope, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re calling for guidance from the Holy Spirit during this critical moment for the Church.