With the death of our beloved Holy Father, the Church has entered a sacred time known as the sede vacante—the period when the See of Peter is vacant and the Church prayerfully prepares for a new shepherd. While the world waits for the smoke to rise from the Sistine Chapel, you might be wondering: What are the cardinals doing right now at the Vatican?
The official start of the conclave has been set for May 7, but important work is already underway behind the scenes. Here’s a glimpse into what is happening at the Vatican during these days of preparation.
Join Catholics around the world to ask the Holy Spirit to guide the conclave!
Gathering in the General Congregations
Every day leading up to the conclave, the cardinals meet in what are called the General Congregations. These meetings are open to all 252 cardinals, even those over 80 who will not be voting, and they are vital to the life of the Church during this transition.
Why are the meetings so important? The conclave is a new experience for 80% of the cardinals, since many were chosen and named by Pope Francis, and have never participated in a conclave before. This time is valuable to them as they become acquainted with their brothers in Christ and learn the process.
Pope Francis created cardinals from all over the world, so many have never met or come together and are not familiar with one another. Since many serve the faithful in distant places, their travel takes time.
About 60 cardinals were present in Rome the day after the Holy Father died. The day before the funeral, 149 cardinals had arrived in Rome. Two have withdrawn from the process because of issues with their health. Though all 252 cardinals are eligible to join in the General Congregations, only 135 men under the age of 80 will be eligible to vote in the conclave.
In these congregations, the cardinals:
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Pray together for guidance from the Holy Spirit
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Reflect on the state of the Church around the world—its challenges, needs, and hopes
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Discuss the qualities needed in the next pope
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Handle logistical details for the conclave itself, including housing, transportation, and security
These meetings are a time of serious discernment. No campaigning, politicking, or personal ambition should have a place here; the Church entrusts this process entirely to prayerful listening to the Spirit.
Despite what has been portrayed in Hollywood around this sacred process, there is much more than the business of the Church taking place right now. The chief activity is prayerful discernment.
Swearing the Oath of Secrecy
One of the first acts the cardinals take before the conclave is to swear an oath of secrecy. They promise not to reveal anything they hear in the meetings or during the voting process. This oath protects the sanctity of the election, ensuring it is guided by prayer, purity of intention, and conscience, rather than outside influence.
From this point forward, cardinals are especially careful in their conversations, even with one another, about the details of the conclave, so that the Holy Spirit can work freely and they can be attuned to His promptings as they get to know one another and discuss the needs and direction of the Church together.
Getting Acquainted with Each Other
With cardinals coming from every continent, there’s a great diversity of experience, language, and culture.
The time before the conclave allows them to:
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Build trust and familiarity
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Learn about each other’s backgrounds and visions for the Church
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Listen deeply to the needs of the universal Church, as expressed by cardinals from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and beyond. Especially in the areas of the world where the Church has known persecution and suffering, where the faithful struggle to live their Faith or even struggle to survive, these discussions help develop mutual understanding.
This mutual understanding is crucial. When the time comes to vote, each cardinal must do so with a heart formed not only by personal prayer, but by listening to the needs and voices of the worldwide Church.
During the last conclave in 2013, Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Bergolio spoke freely for about four minutes during one of the General Congregations, addressing the need for the Church to evangelize and speaking on other heartfelt issues he felt critical to the future of the Church.
This impressed members of the College of Cardinals and he was elected Pope during the conclave.
Final Preparations in the Sistine Chapel
Meanwhile, practical preparations continue at the Vatican. Workers are setting up the Sistine Chapel for the sacred task of electing the new pope. The famous stoves for burning ballots—one for black smoke (no decision) and one for white smoke (new pope)—are installed. Temporary flooring and seating are arranged to ensure the space is ready for the prayerful and secret proceedings.
Every logistical detail matters: securing the Domus Sanctae Marthae where the cardinals will stay, preparing transportation between locations, ensuring no outside communication can breach the conclave’s secrecy.
Why This Time is Important
For Catholics, this moment is not just political or procedural. It is deeply spiritual. The cardinals are not simply choosing a new leader—they are discerning carefully Christ's choice for His vicar on earth.
As the faithful, we are invited to accompany them with our own prayers. We ask the Holy Spirit to:
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Inspire the hearts of the cardinals
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Protect the integrity of the process
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Prepare the heart of the man who will become the next pope
How We Can Participate Spiritually
While the cardinals prepare for the conclave, we can unite with the whole Church by:
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Joining Catholics around the world asking the Holy Spirit to guide the conclave
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Offering a rosary for the cardinals and for the future pope
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Attending Mass with the intention for the election
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Trusting in the Holy Spirit, who has guided the Church from the time of St. Peter to today
As May 7 approaches, and the cardinals prepare to enter the Sistine Chapel, remember: this time is not about politics, popularity, or human ambition. It is about listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd and trusting that He will once again raise up a shepherd to lead us, His flock.
A Prayer for the Election of a New Pope
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Guide the cardinals gathered in Rome,
that they may discern Your will with wisdom, courage, and peace.
Raise up for us a shepherd after Your own Heart—
a man of holiness, mercy, and truth.
May he lead the Church in unity and love,
and be a light to the nations.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Saint Peter, pray for us.
All holy men and women, pray for us.
Amen.
