Gathered for their 7th general congregation in preparation for the conclave on April 30, 2025, some cardinals admit they already have their list of “papabili.” This was revealed to the press by several participants on the streets of Rome.
As the conclave approaches, the cardinals continue to meet almost every day. As they get to know each other, they’re making their lists of possible papal successors.
The atmosphere is “good” and “serene,” repeated the cardinals questioned by journalists at the entrance to the Vatican.
“There’s an atmosphere of great peace and dialogue. [...] Dialogue is completely open, there’s no pressure or polarization,” said Colombian Cardinal Jorge Jiménez Carvajal, archbishop emeritus of Cartagena and an 83-year-old non-voter.
When asked about the profile of the future pope, 68-year-old Serbian Cardinal Ladislav Nemet said he hoped for “a pope who is human like Jesus.” But the outcome of the conclave is “always a surprise,” he stressed.
“There could be surprises, in the positive sense of the word, yes!” agreed Cardinal Carvajal.
While the cardinals didn’t mention any names of papabili, some said they already had their list “very clear.”
“In my heart, I have five names,” said Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez, auxiliary bishop emeritus of San Salvador. The 82-year-old non-voting cardinal acknowledged that during these days, “everyone is thinking about their list.”
The Church “has moved south”
A few steps away, a journalist from La Repubblica interviewed Austrian Cardinal Schönborn, archbishop emeritus of Vienna. For this non-voter, in recent years the Church “has moved south, to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.”
“It's a fact, not an idea, and [...] it will influence the future of the Church,” he insisted, pointing to the need to find “a wise and holy pastor.”
“We must understand where the Spirit wants to lead the Church. Asia? America? Europe?” asked Cardinal Chávez.
He added that Pope Francis' legacy was “the basis for discussion.”
“I sense a consensus for continuity. [...] We’re citizens of a world with conflicts and different visions, but Pope Francis spoke of multifacetedness and diversity to build unity. Everyone has their place,” underlined Cardinal Chávez.
The Salvadoran expressed his hope for “a pastor who listens to God, who listens to the people.” He also commented that the next Bishop of Rome should speak Italian, but that it is “easy to learn.”
As for the duration of the conclave, Cardinal Chávez estimated “no more than three days.”
“Two, three, four days,” said Cardinal Jorge Jiménez Carvajal, before adding: “We don't know.”
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