Conclave: Iraq Cardinal Hopes for a Swift Papal Election

Rome: An Iraqi cardinal expressed his hope on Monday that the conclave beginning on Wednesday to elect Pope Francis’s successor will conclude within three to four days. Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, the Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad, made these remarks as he attended the first of two pre-Conclave congregations of cardinals scheduled for Monday, with the final congregation set for Tuesday.

According to Ansa News Agency, Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, originally from France and now the metropolitan archbishop of Algiers, emphasized that there is no urgency for the conclave to deliver a decision. He stated that ensuring the selection of a good Pope is of utmost importance. Vesco described the ideal future Pontiff as “a shepherd, a voice for the world, for peace.” When asked about the possibility of a French Pope, Vesco humorously suggested that an Algerian candidate could also be considered.

The Indonesian cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, archbishop of Jakarta, was among the last cardinals to arrive in Rome. He candidly shared with journalists that he arrived just the previous day and expressed his intention to enter the Sistine Chapel “with an open heart” on Wednesday afternoon. Regarding whether the new Pontiff will continue Pope Francis’s legacy, Cardinal Suharyo deferred to divine guidance, stating that it would depend on the Holy Spirit.