Schönborn expects a "holy and wise" Pope

The new Pope, who will emerge from the conclave beginning on May 7 in the Vatican, will be a "holy and wise man." This was emphasized by the emeritus Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, in a conversation with journalists before the start of the seventh general congregation of the cardinals on Wednesday, where preparations for the conclave are being made.

Schönborn Not Among Pope Electors

"God already knows who the new Pope will be, and therefore also his nationality. He will certainly be a holy and wise man," said the 80-year-old Schönborn, who is not among the Pope electors due to age. He has been in Rome since last Friday.

Schönborn spoke on Wednesday at the general congregation of the cardinals. The discussion involved the challenges facing the Vatican and the global church, including the delicate issue of financial sustainability, as reported from the Vatican. 181 cardinals participated in the general congregation, including 124 Pope electors, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced on Wednesday. Nine of the total 133 Pope electors still need to arrive in Rome. The next general congregation will take place on Friday morning.

The French cardinal and Pope elector Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers, expects a short conclave. "I have the impression that the candidates will become clearly apparent. Among the cardinals, there are differences in sensitivity, but no opposing camps. The one we elect has long been prepared by the Lord. It is not us who choose the Pope: We must find the one among us who is already chosen," Vesco said in an interview with the Roman daily newspaper "La Repubblica" (Wednesday).

"Great Responsibility"

The Iraqi Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako also believes that the conclave will be short. "We cardinals are all aware of the significance of this moment. We have a great responsibility to seek and support the best candidate," said the head of the Christian Chaldeans in Iraq in an interview with the Roman daily newspaper "Il Messaggero" (Wednesday).

"I do not think of the new pope as an officeholder, a bureaucrat. Rather, I think of a man who knows how to open up and also engage in dialogue with the Muslim world. In my opinion, Catholics must help Muslims to open up in mutual respect," said the cardinal from Iraq.

Just Don't Rush

According to the former president of the Italian Bishops' Conference CEI, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, it is wise to take a few more days before the conclave begins. "There are many cardinals and many do not know each other. To create a vision of the church of the future together, you need love and time," Bagnasco said in an interview with the Milan daily newspaper "Corriere della Sera".

(APA/Red)

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