POPE LEO XIV
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On May 7, cardinals from all around the world will convene in the Sistine Chapel to begin the weighty task of choosing the next successor of St. Peter.
It is a process that is shrouded in secrecy, but also one that is meant to be an intense time of prayer and reflection for the cardinals involved.
While it is true that the next pope will be decided by a 2/3 majority vote, it is also true that the Catholic Church believes the election is guided by the Holy Spirit.
In the past many have seen the date of election to be providential. For example, St. John Paul II was elected on October 16, the feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and in certain parts of Poland this day is better known as the feast of St. Hedwig of Silesia.
St. John Paul II made a pilgrimage in 1979 to Poland, where he celebrated a special Mass for pilgrims from Silesia and in his homily, he made a specific reference to the providential day of his election:
In its inscrutable designs Divine Providence chose October 16, 1978, as a turning point in my life. On October 16 the Church in Poland celebrates St. Hedwig.
Something similar happened with Pope Francis. While he was elected on a March 13, he was installed as pope on March 19, feast of St. Joseph.
Pope Francis said that he always considered it a "kindness from heaven" that this special day for him occurred on the feast of St. Joseph.
I think that in some way St. Joseph wanted to tell me that he would continue to help me, to be beside me, and I would be able to continue to think of him as a friend I could turn to, whom I could trust, whom I could ask to intercede and pray for me.
Important feasts in May
Only the Holy Spirit knows when the next pope will be elected, but if it is in the first three days, which is the average length of the conclaves in recent memory, there are several notable feasts (listed in the Roman Martyrology).
Also listed below are feasts on the Byzantine calendar, as there are a few Eastern Rite cardinals participating in this conclave.
May 7
St. Domitilla, martyr
St. Flavius and four companions, martyrs
Bl. Gisela of Hungary
St. Anthony, hermit of Ukraine
Commemoration of the Appearance of the Precious Cross over Jerusalem (Byzantine calendar)
May 8
Apparition of St. Michael at Gargano, Italy (historical feast)
St. Boniface IV, pope
St. Benedict II, pope
Holy Apostle John the Evangelist (Byzantine calendar)
May 9
St. Isaiah, prophet
St. Hermes, disciple of St. Paul
St. Pachomius, abbot
Holy Prophet Isaiah (Byzantine calendar)
If the conclave lasts more than three days, there is typically a day or two of rest, where there is no voting.
It seems possible that voting will conclude by the third day, and even if it extends beyond that, a new pope (God willing) will be elected in May, a month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
