On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, a pivotal moment unfolded in Rome as approximately 60 cardinals gathered for the first general congregation following the death of Pope Francis. This closed-door meeting commenced at 9 a.m. local time, just one day after the pontiff’s passing, as cardinals from around the globe rushed to the Eternal City to address critical matters during the interregnum period. Among the key decisions made was the scheduling of Pope Francis’ funeral and the suspension of upcoming beatification celebrations.
The cardinals have set the date for Pope Francis’ funeral to take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Rome time, in the iconic St. Peter’s Square. Following the funeral, in accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Additionally, on Wednesday morning, his body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing the faithful to pay their final respects.
The upcoming funeral will mark the first Mass of the Novendiales, a significant nine-day cycle of liturgical and spiritual preparation leading up to the conclave. This solemn period allows cardinals to reflect and prepare for the important decisions that lie ahead as they gather for the general congregations before the conclave.
The assembly began with an hour-and-a-half session that included a moment of silent prayer dedicated to the repose of the soul of the late Holy Father. During this meeting, the cardinals made the critical decision to suspend any upcoming beatification celebrations until a new pope is elected. Furthermore, the cardinals took an oath to adhere to the norms of the interregnum, as outlined in Pope John Paul II’s 1996 apostolic constitution, Universi Dominici Gregis. These norms emphasize maintaining “rigorous secrecy” during the process of electing the next pope.
As part of their responsibilities, the cardinals will convene to deliberate on significant issues, including the scheduling of the conclave and the approval of necessary expenses. According to the guidelines set forth in Universi Dominici Gregis, the conclave can commence as early as 15 days after the Holy Father’s death, allowing all voting cardinals to be present. However, if 20 days pass without a conclave being initiated, the cardinals are mandated to begin the election process. Notably, the rules also allow for an earlier start should the cardinals reach a consensus and all electors have arrived in Rome.
As the Catholic Church navigates this transitional phase, the decisions made by the cardinals during this interregnum will shape the future leadership and direction of the Church, marking a significant chapter in its history.
