Tonga’s Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi has called on Catholics to pray as the College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new pope.
The conclave, set to begin on May 7 in the Sistine Chapel, follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Cardinal Mafi, one of only two Pacific Island cardinals eligible to vote, emphasised the need for spiritual support during this time.
In a statement released by the Holy See, the cardinals expressed their desire for the faithful to “live this ecclesial moment as an event of grace and spiritual discernment, listening to the will of God” . They acknowledged the gravity of their responsibility and the necessity of being “supported by the prayers of all the faithful.”
Preparations for the conclave are underway, including the installation of the traditional chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, which will signal the outcome of the vote with black or white smoke. The election process involves up to four ballots daily, with a two-thirds majority required to elect the new pope.
Cardinal Mafi’s participation indicates the growing representation of the Pacific region in global Catholic leadership. He and Cardinal Sir John Ribat of Papua New Guinea are the only Pacific Island cardinals under the age of 80, making them eligible to vote in the conclave.
As the Church prepares for this significant transition, the College of Cardinals seeks the prayers of the faithful to guide their discernment in choosing the next successor of Peter.
