Rome (Italy). On 30 April 2025, on the eve of the Conclave which will begin on 7 May, with a communication of the Holy See, the College of Cardinals gathered in Rome, engaged in the General Congregations in preparation for the Conclave, addresses the People of God asking for prayer and inviting “to live this ecclesial moment as an event of grace and spiritual discernment, in listening to the Will of God.”
The Cardinals continue, “For this reason, aware of the responsibility to which we are called, perceive the need to be sustained by the prayer of all the faithful. It is the true power in the Church that promotes the unity of all members in the one Body of Christ (1Cor 12:12).
Faced with the magnitude of the task ahead and the urgency of the present times, it is first of all necessary to become humble instruments of the infinite Wisdom and Providence of the Heavenly Father, in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit. He is indeed the protagonist of the life of the People of God, He whom we must listen to, accepting what He says to the Church (cf. Rev 3:6).
May Our Lady accompany this choral invocation with her maternal intercession.”
On 15 March 2013, after the Conclave that elected him as Peter’s 265th successor, Pope Francis addressing the Cardinals in Sala Clementina, expressed gratitude for the closeness of the universal Church during the time of the Conclave:
“This period dedicated to the Conclave was full of meaning not only for the College of Cardinals, but also for all the faithful. In these days, we were aware almost sensibly of the affection and solidarity of the universal Church, as well as the attention of many people who, although not sharing our faith, look with respect and admiration at the Church and the Holy See.
From every corner of the earth there was a fervent and choral prayer of the Christian people for the new Pope, and my first meeting with the crowds packed in St Peter’s Square was full of emotion. With that suggestive image of the prayerful and joyful people still imprinted in my mind, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Bishops, priests, consecrated persons, young people, families, elderly for their spiritual closeness, so touching and fervent.”
In this month of May dedicated to Mary, to whose powerful intercession Pope Francis entrusted all his travels and every supplication for the world, a special month for the Salesian tradition with the commemoration on May 24 of the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from all over the world assure prayer for this particular and delicate moment in the Church.
