A Vatican diplomat on Monday emphasized the Church’s belief that the election of the next pope is ultimately guided by divine will.
Speaking ahead of the papal conclave set to begin May 7, Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, expressed confidence that the Holy Spirit has already determined who will lead the Church.
“I think it’s important to remember that the Holy Spirit has already decided who the next pope will be,” Brown said. “It’s up to the cardinals now to make that decision manifest.”
Brown reiterated that divine guidance is central to the election of a pope, encouraging Catholics around the world to trust in the process and remain prayerful.
“We can be confident that the Holy Spirit will never abandon the Church, and whoever is chosen will be the perfect person for the time in which we live,” he said.
The Holy See Press Office on April 28 announced that the conclave to elect the next bishop of Rome will begin May 7 in the Sistine Chapel, which will be closed to visitors throughout the process.
The announcement followed a morning General Congregation meeting at the Vatican, where cardinals have been gathering daily since the burial of Pope Francis at St. Mary Major Basilica on April 26.
The date falls within the traditional 15- to 20-day window after the death of a pope, allowing time for the “novendiales” mourning period and for cardinal electors to travel to Rome.
Of the 134 cardinal electors under the age of 80 eligible to vote, nearly all have already arrived in Rome, with the remaining few expected in the coming days.
Brown called on the faithful to pray both in thanksgiving for the life and ministry of Pope Francis and for the cardinal electors tasked with choosing his successor.
“Everyone should be praying for the conclave, reflecting, thanking God for the gift of Pope Francis, and praying for the cardinals who now have this very important job of discerning the decision of the Holy Spirit,” he said.
