The images of the very long lines of people who came to Rome from many places to salute Pope Francis, those of his funeral and his transfer to Santa Maria Maggiore along the streets of the city centre will remain impressed on our minds. This is the moving testimony that Francis was a people’s pope, especially for and of the poor; indeed, the burial ceremony included special attention for the people Francis loved.
Many powerful people attended yesterday's funeral as well. Let us hope that they will at least make some commitment to world peace and fraternity among peoples, to which Francis offered his suffering.
As of today the attention of the Catholic community and many other people will turn to the General Congregations of Cardinals, called to discuss the future of the Church. They include 135 cardinal electors (but two are ill), who will meet in about ten days in conclave to elect the new pope.
The College of Cardinals has never had so many members and will therefore be the largest in history, as well as the most universal. This is good news, because 'catholic' means universal, and therefore the Church becomes ever more fully herself.
Some European countries with a Catholic tradition, such as Austria and Ireland, do not have cardinal electors. Just as some very important dioceses, such as Milan and Paris, will not have their bishop in conclave. Conversely, countries such as Myanmar, Mongolia, Thailand, and Singapore, with a rather small number of Catholics, are represented.
In a very meaningful way, the upcoming conclave reflects the world more than the Catholic Church, or better still, it reflects the Church’s missionary vocation in the world. Numbers are less important than bearing evangelical witness, which Christians are called to live in the community of nations.
This is why our agency, dedicated to Asia, will begin tomorrow to profile each of the 23 cardinal electors who come from Asia and the Middle East. We consider it a service to the body of knowledge about the Churches of the huge Asian continent, many of which are little known in the wider public opinion.
Moreover, for the first time, some Asian cardinals are serious contenders in this election. Of course, we are not interested in any horse race, but rather in reporting news that has a significant ecclesial value. (A historical precedent exists, that of Cardinal Krikor Bedros Agagianian from Armenia who received many votes in the conclave that elected Angelo Roncalli as John XXIII. We know this from the pope himself).
The General Congregations that come to life tomorrow are a truly important moment. The cardinals will discuss the most current issues in the life of the Church. It is very likely that this will strongly influence the outcome of the conclave. It is known that in 2013 the speech Card Jorge Bergoglio delivered favourably impressed many cardinals, facilitating his election.
There is another aspect to consider: Many cardinals, especially those recently appointed and who come from many different places, do not know each other. The formal and informal meetings that are taking place in Rome will provide a valuable opportunity to overcome this obstacle.
Dear readers, we will continue to inform you in the coming weeks with a sense of ecclesial responsibility about this important moment in the life of the Church. Please continue to follow and support AsiaNews, the agency of PIME missionaries at the service of the Church's missionary vocation.
