At 9:00 a.m. this morning, the Eighth General Congregation began in the New Hall of the Synod with the customary prayer. More than 180 cardinals participated in the session, including more than 120 electors. The Vatican has reported on the main topics addressed.
Throughout the morning, 25 cardinals took the floor to present their reflections and proposals on the future of the Church. The interventions revolved around fundamental themes, highlighting the urgency of a profound and effective evangelization, especially aimed at the younger generations. The vision of a fraternal and missionary Church was underlined, following the thrust of the pontificate of Pope Francis.
Some topics
Special attention was given to the Eastern Churches, many of which are marked by suffering, but also by an exemplary witness of faith. Several cardinals also insisted on the need to communicate the Gospel with authenticity and coherence at all levels of ecclesial life, stressing that fraternal love is the first proclamation, as the Gospel teaches.
Painful issues such as sexual abuse and financial scandals were also clearly addressed. As reported by Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, these issues were treated as "a wound" that must be kept open to ensure a constant awareness of the problem and to promote concrete paths of healing.
Other topics discussed included the centrality of the liturgy, the importance of Canon Law and the value of synodality as an expression of mission and collegiality, as well as the need to respond to secularism with pastoral firmness.
The session concluded with a reflection on the spiritual and pastoral continuity between the pontificates of St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, and on the role of the Eucharist in the task of evangelization.
On the other hand, it has been confirmed that two cardinal electors will not participate in the next Conclave: Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Valencia, and Cardinal John Njue, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi. Four cardinal electors are still expected to arrive in Rome.
In previous days
In the previous days, the Vatican press office has explained that the cardinals have analyzed the financial situation of the Holy See, which has a deficit of 83.5 million euros recorded in 2023, which has raised concerns about the economic sustainability of the Church and the need for a more transparent and efficient management.
The cardinals have acknowledged the existence of significant divisions within the Church, especially around synodality and the reforms promoted during Francis' pontificate. This polarization is considered a "wound" that requires attention and healing.
On sexual abuse and financial scandals, the need to keep alive the awareness of these problems, considered as open wounds, in order to identify concrete paths towards their healing and to avoid their repetition in the future, was addressed.
Sistine Chapel
Finally, it was reported that this morning the chimney was installed on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, a key symbol in the Conclave process. The chapel has been closed to the public since Sunday, while preparations for the start of the papal election process are being finalized.
