On the eve of the conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor, Rome experienced an intense day marked by solemn rituals, diplomatic tensions, and revealing controversies. This day, May 6, 2025, stands as a pivotal moment in the recent history of the Catholic Church, reflecting both the desired unity and the deep divisions running through the College of Cardinals.

1. The Final General Congregation: Defining the Profile of the Future Pontiff

On the morning of May 6, the 133 cardinal electors gathered for the twelfth and final general congregation. This concluding session allowed them to synthesize the major concerns expressed in previous days and define the qualities expected of the future pope.

The cardinals particularly emphasized the need to choose a man capable of:

• Reconciling a divided Church
• Continuing the reform of the Roman Curia
• Embodying strong moral authority on the international stage
• Promoting peace throughout the world

The central themes addressed during this congregation included synodality, the fight against abuse, financial governance, integral ecology, the role of women in the Church, and interreligious dialogue. Despite calls for unity, divisions between conservative and progressive currents remained perceptible.

2. Solemn Appeal for World Peace

In a significant gesture, the Holy See published an official communiqué at noon (reference B0297) in which the assembled cardinals made an urgent appeal for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in conflict zones, notably:

• In Ukraine, where Russian offensives have recently intensified
• In the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, where attacks against Christian and Muslim civilian populations have been reported

This appeal, formulated in Italian, expressed the ardent wish for peace "lungamente desiderata dal mondo intero" (long desired by the entire world). This message found significant resonance on Catholic social networks worldwide, highlighting the moral influence that the Church continues to exert on issues of international peace.

3. Symbolic Destruction of the Fisherman's Ring

May 6, 2025, also marked the canonical end of Francis's pontificate. In accordance with centuries-old tradition, the Fisherman's Ring and the lead seal of the late pope were officially destroyed during a ceremony held in the Synod Hall, in the presence of the Camerlengo and the College of Cardinals.

The Vatican Secretariat of State communicated about this symbolic event via its official @TerzaLoggia account on the X platform (formerly Twitter) at 9:41 AM, recalling the profound significance of this ritual that marks the vacancy of the Holy See.

4. Installation at the Santa Marta House and Confidentiality Measures

In preparation for the conclave beginning the next day, the 133 cardinal electors were housed at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (Santa Marta House). Exceptional digital security measures were implemented:

• Installation of signal jammers to prevent any unauthorized communication
• Confiscation of all electronic devices
• Oath of secrecy under penalty of excommunication, in accordance with the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis

Vatican personnel directly involved in organizing the conclave also took an oath to maintain absolute confidentiality.

5. Cardinals' Final Public Appearances

Before their complete isolation, several cardinals took advantage of their final public outings to celebrate Mass in various Roman churches or grant brief interviews. Special celebrations for Church unity notably took place at Saint-Louis-des-Français and San Gioacchino in Prati.

These moments of communion with the faithful allowed the cardinals to strengthen bonds with the Catholic community before entering the electoral process.

6. Geopolitical Tensions Influencing the Conclave

The Situation in the Holy Land

According to the Catholic Herald, recent violence in Jerusalem and Bethlehem casts a worrying shadow over the conclave. Several prelates have expressed the desire for a pope capable of firmly defending persecuted Christian minorities in this troubled region of the world.

Controversial Statements by Cardinal Zen

In an interview with France Catholique, Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen made notable statements, affirming that the Church was facing "a question of life or death." He particularly denounced diplomatic agreements with certain authoritarian regimes:

"If the Church continues to compromise with dictatorships, it will lose all credibility."

These remarks seemed to directly criticize the Vatican-China agreement, defended by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a potential successor candidate.

7. Controversies Surrounding Certain Papabili

Cardinal Parolin and Allegations of Masonic Connections

Two journalistic investigations published respectively in Il Fatto Quotidiano and on LifeSiteNews revealed the alleged support of a former Grand Master of Freemasonry, Giuliano Di Bernardo, for Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The latter was presented as the "ideal friend" of Freemasons to ascend to the throne of Peter.

Even more controversially, Di Bernardo reportedly claimed that Pope Francis himself had maintained Masonic sympathies, without providing concrete evidence to support these allegations.

Cardinal Tagle and Rumors of Casino Patronage

An article published in La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana cast a chill on the candidacy of Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, considered a favorite among progressive circles. According to this source, the cardinal regularly frequented Macau's casinos and maintained ties with financial groups active in the gambling sector.

These revelations, if confirmed, could seriously compromise his chances of election.

8. Logistical Preparations for the Election

Catholic News Agency reported that the papal tailor had prepared three cassocks of different sizes (small, medium, and large) to dress the future pope immediately after his election. The famous "stanza del pianto" (room of tears), located near the Sistine Chapel, has been prepared to welcome the elect who will retire there to don the pontifical garments.

These material preparations testify to the attention paid to every detail of the ancestral ritual surrounding the election of a new pope.