On Friday, April 25, 2025, the cardinals gathered in Rome held the fourth general congregation in preparation for the conclave scheduled for May 7. This session brought together 149 cardinals and was marked by in-depth discussions on the funeral of Pope Francis and the upcoming challenges for the Church.

Preparations for Pope Francis's funeral

The cardinals finalized the details of Pope Francis's funeral mass, scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 AM in St. Peter's Square. The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Pope Francis will be buried privately in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in accordance with his wishes expressed in his spiritual testament.

Cardinals' interventions

During this congregation, nearly 70 interventions have been delivered since the beginning of the meetings. Discussions covered various topics, including Church governance, pastoral challenges, and expectations for the future pontiff.

Status of Cardinal Angelo Becciu

The status of Cardinal Angelo Becciu as an elector was addressed. Although he was involved in a financial matter, his participation in the conclave remained uncertain at this stage. Discussions on this matter continued during subsequent congregations.