By Kristina Millare
Vatican City, Apr 29, 2025 / 11:08 am
The College of Cardinals held their sixth general congregation on Tuesday morning, confirming two cardinal electors will not participate in the upcoming May 7 conclave due to health reasons.
The general congregation opened with prayer at 9 a.m. followed by a meditation given by Abbot Donato Ogliari, OSB. One hundred eighty-three cardinals, including more than 120 cardinal electors, were present at the more than three-hour meeting held in the Vatican’s Synod Hall. A total of 20 speeches were given.
Following the April 29 meeting, Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, said during an afternoon press briefing that the names of the two cardinals would not be revealed, adding that the number of cardinal electors present in Rome for the conclave may vary until the last minute and cannot yet be confirmed.
The 6th General Congregation began at 9 a.m. with prayer, meditation, and speeches. 183 cardinals attended; over 120 are electors. Three notices today regarding the Conclave workers’ oath, May 7 Mass, and 4:30 p.m. prayer in Pauline Chapel. pic.twitter.com/Ns1B5kQsvB
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) April 29, 2025
During the press briefing, Bruni told journalists the main themes of the speeches delivered on Tuesday revolved around “the challenges the Church is facing, according to the geographical perspective of the cardinals’ origins.”
In his meditation addressed to the cardinals, Ogliari said “the mission of the Church must face numerous challenges” in a time of “epochal change” disrupting “the world order” in geopolitics and rapid technological change.
“In a few days’ time you will gather to choose from among yourselves the bishop of Rome and pastor of the universal Church.
