While congregations take over in the Vatican in the week before the conclave, some cardinals actively avoid the microphones of journalists while they hurry towards Saint-Pierre square.
But others are ready to stop and talk to journalists.
“Hopefully the conclave does not last too long,” said Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of the car that came out of the Vatican.
Asked from where the next pope would come and if he will be European, he has resumed: “He will be a pope of the whole Church”.
Although they are not voters, cardinals over 80 years old, taking into account their experience, still participate in these meetings.
Among them, Cardinal Rosa Chávez d'El Salvador, who told Euronews more on the mood among his colleagues while the clock counts until the beginning of May 7, to elect the next pope.
Continuity with the inheritance of Pope Francis
“There is an atmosphere full of hope, without a doubt today, the first names are starting to be named,” said Chávez.
“When we see on the screens that we don't know, we listen to what they have to say and we say, it's interesting, we don't know him, but he seems to be a good candidate.”
“For me, there are five of the candidates,” added Chávez, “it will be a short conclave of two, three days.”
In the relationship with tradition, however, the cardinal clearly indicates that the break with the past and the inheritance of Pope Francis are not a plausible option.
“The continuation is very clear in the conclave environment,” Chávez told Euronews,
“The heritage is so credible that we cannot abandon this treasure. The name and the personal style are missing, but the rest does not change.”
Among the cardinals, there seems to be a feeling of prudence. The differences in opinion that will inevitably occur in the coming days and how they find common ground will be crucial for the common interest of the Church and the world.
The meetings among the members of the Cardinal College before the Conclave will last throughout the coming week to share opinions and knowledge that will lead to the election of the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
