'Atmosphere full of hope': Pre-conclave meetings of cardinals continue in Vatican

As congregations resume in the Vatican in the week leading up to the conclave, some cardinals actively avoid journalists' microphones as they hurry towards St Peter's Square.

But others are willing to stop and talk to reporters.

"Let's hope the conclave doesn't last too long," Cardinal Philippe Barbarin said from the car taking him out of the Vatican.

Asked about where the next pope will come from and whether he will be European, he shot back, “He will be a pope of the whole church."

Although not electors, cardinals over the age of 80, given their experience, still take part in these meetings.

Among them is Cardinal Rosa Chávez of El Salvador, who told Euronews more about the mood among his colleagues as the clock counts down to the start of the 7 May conclave to elect the next pope.

Cardinals attend a mass on the sixth of nine days of mourning for late Pope Francis in the Vatican, 1 May, 2025 (Cardinals attend a mass on the sixth of nine days of mourning for late Pope Francis in the Vatican, 1 May, 2025)

Continuity with Pope Francis' legacy

"There is an atmosphere full of hope, without a doubt today the first names are beginning to be named," Chávez said.

"When we see on the screens cardinals we don't know, we listen to what they have to say and we say, this is interesting, we don't know him, but he seems like a good candidate."

"For me there are five of candidates," Chávez added, "It will be a short conclave of two, three days."

On the relationship with tradition, however, the cardinal makes it clear that breaking with the past and Pope Francis' legacy is not a plausible option.

"The continuation is very clear in the conclave environment," Chávez told Euronews,

"The legacy is so credible that we cannot abandon this treasure. The name and personal style are missing, but the rest does not change."

Among the cardinals, there seems to be a sense of caution. The differences of opinion that will inevitably come out in the next few days and how they find common ground will be crucial for the common interest of the church and the world.

Meetings among the members of the College of Cardinals ahead of the conclave will last throughout the coming week to share opinions and knowledge which will lead to the election of the next head of the Roman Catholic church.