The British cardinal, Vincent Nichols, has called the responsibility of helping to choose the next “intimidating” Pope, while the Catholic Church prepares to put Pope Francis to rest.
The Pope's funeral will take place at St Peter's Square on Saturday, April 26 with an important international presence that includes Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer. Prince William will attend the King Carlos, confirmed the Kensington Palace.
Talking to Sky News, Cardinal Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, reflected on the seriousness of participating in the next conclave, where the cardinals will choose the next pontiff.
“I hope that nobody enters this conclave, so to speak, with the sole purpose of wanting to win.
“I think it is very important that we want to listen to us … it has to be together, trying to feel what God wants next. Not only for the Church,” he said.
Cardinal Nichols also shared emotional moments of the last days of the Pope. He recalled the procession that brought Pope Francis to lie in the state: “It was the most moving the one I have attended here.”
He also recalled the last trip of the Pope outside the Vatican, a visit to the prison of Regina Coeli, where the Pontiff delivered a moving message to the inmates:
“You know, except by the grace of God, it could have been me … Do not lose hope, God makes you written in his heart,” he added.
The Cardinal shared that Pope Francis later entrusted his repentance before his doctor for not being able to wash the feet of the prisoners during that visit.
With persistent international tensions, much attention will probably focus on interactions between figures such as Trump and Zelenskyy, particularly after their tense oval office meeting earlier this year.
(Sky News)
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