The mass, presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, is the last rite celebrated publicly before the cardinals are locked in to choose a successor to Pope Francis starting on Wednesday afternoon.
By
Channels Television
Updated May 7, 2025
This photo taken and handout on May 7, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows cardinals during a holy mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, prior to the start of the conclave, at St Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican. (Photo by Francesco Sforza / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP)
Cardinals from around the world joined a special mass on Wednesday at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican ahead of the conclave to elect a new pope.
The mass, presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, is the last rite celebrated publicly before the cardinals are locked in to choose a successor to Pope Francis starting on Wednesday afternoon.
Cardinale Giovanni Battista Re leads a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, prior to the start of the conclave, at St Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
Faithfull attend a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, prior to the start of the conclave, at St Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
Cardinals attend a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, prior to the start of the conclave, at St Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
Cardinals attend a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, prior to the start of the conclave, at St Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
Faithfull attend a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, prior to the start of the conclave, at St Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
