Second General Congregation of Cardinals Held in Synod Hall Amid Mourning for Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY, 24 April 2025— The second General Congregation of Cardinals convened on Wednesday, 23 April, in the Synod Hall at 5:00 PM (8:30 PM IST) and concluded at 6:30 PM (10:00 PM IST), as the College of Cardinals continues preparations during the sede vacante following the death of Pope Francis.

According to the Holy See Press Office, 103 cardinals were in attendance. The session opened with the traditional invocation of the Holy Spirit, “Veni, Sancte Spiritus,” followed by a prayer offered for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. Cardinals who had been absent from Tuesday’s inaugural congregation took their oath during the session.

A key development during Wednesday’s meeting was the approval of the programme for the Novemdiales, the nine-day mourning period observed after the passing of a pope. The detailed programme, steeped in centuries of tradition, outlines the liturgical and commemorative observances to be held in honour of Pope Francis.

The next General Congregation has been scheduled for Thursday morning at 9:00 AM (12:30 PM IST).

During the first congregation on Tuesday, the Cardinals resolved to suspend all scheduled beatifications until a new pope is elected and can personally approve them. In accordance with the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, a commission of three Cardinals was also selected by lot to assist the Camerlengo in governing the Church during the interregnum. These members—representing each of the three orders of the College of Cardinals—are Cardinal Pietro Parolin (episcopal), Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko (presbyteral), and Cardinal Fabio Baggio (diaconal). The trio will be replaced every three days.

Meanwhile, public veneration continues at St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are paying their final respects to Pope Francis. By 7:30 PM (11:00 PM IST) on Wednesday evening, approximately 20,000 people had passed by his remains, reflecting the deep global affection and reverence for the late pontiff.

Courtesy: Vatican News