A cardinal from Guelph is one of the 135 cardinals who will help elect Pope Francis’s successor.
Cardinal Thomas Collins arrived in Rome on Tuesday and is participating in the conclave for only the second time in his life.
He mentioned he’s been attending daily meetings with other cardinals as they prepare for Francis’s funeral on Saturday. The meetings are conducted by the dean of the College of Cardinals, starting at 9 a.m., to address various church-related topics.
A conclave will commence after a nine-day mourning period.
“During this time, we are cut off from the outside world, allowing us tranquility and freedom to pray and make decisions about who to vote for as the new pope,” Collins explained.
The 78-year-old stated that over 250 cardinals are present, but many are aged over 80. To participate in the voting process, cardinals must be under 80, Collins noted.
“Every cardinal, regardless of their rank, has a vote,” he emphasized.
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Prior to casting their votes for the next pope, they engage in prayer. Votes are documented on cards and placed in a silver bowl to be counted later.
Collins has participated in the conclave just once before, in 2013, when he had recently become a cardinal.
He feels more knowledgeable about the process than he did a decade ago.
As one of five cardinals from Canada, Collins expressed great pride in representing the Royal City in Rome.
While he didn’t meet Pope Francis frequently, Collins reflected on the pope’s compassion for the poor and dedication to alleviating suffering.
“This was a defining characteristic of his papacy. He, like Pope John Paul II, provided a significant example to us all, especially in his later years as he endured suffering himself and offered it for the greater good,” he remarked.
Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke and heart failure.
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