Cardinals mourn Pope Francis as Vatican meetings begin ahead of conclave
As they entered the Vatican to participate in a series of meetings leading up to the election of Pope Francis’ successor, several cardinals spoke to the media, emphasizing that they are still mourning the Argentine pontiff — not yet choosing his successor.
“We are not yet speaking about the conclave or the succession; we are still speaking about Pope Francis, we are still crying for Pope Francis,” said Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, archbishop of Algiers, Algeria. He was among the last cardinals created by the late pontiff, in December 2024.
Starting at 8 a.m. Rome time April 24, the cardinals already in the city for the funeral — and soon, the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor — made their way to the Synod Hall, a room within the Vatican grounds. There, the general congregations — closed-door meetings of the College of Cardinals — will take place until the conclave begins, no earlier than May 5.