In brief
In the lead-up to the crucial conclave on Wednesday, cardinals across Rome engaged with local congregations, offering clues about their visions for the papacy. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of France charmed worshippers in Monti, while Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary called for prayers for fellow cardinals near the Colosseum. Meanwhile, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo from Congo joined a global congregation at a western Rome church, emphasizing the need for a pope prepared to tackle modern challenges.
While the cardinals’ homilies were not outright campaign rallies, they subtly communicated their messages to peers. Each cardinal is affiliated with a titular church, where they often conduct Mass when in the city. For instance, Cardinal Aveline and prominent papal contender Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines recently celebrated Mass, the latter attracting a throng of Filipino supporters. Many lesser-known cardinals also took the opportunity to gather with local fans, offering photo opportunities and insights into their perspectives.In contrast, leading Italian candidates Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa refrained from public appearances, opting for a low-profile strategy akin to front-runners in political races, likely aiming to avoid any potential missteps before the pivotal election process begins.
