On the eve of the Conclave, which will begin on May 7, 2025, to elect Pope Francis’s successor, the College of Cardinals has issued a call to all the Catholic faithful to intensify prayer and spiritually accompany this crucial moment for the Church. In a statement released on April 30, the cardinals emphasize the importance of experiencing this process as an “event of grace and discernment,” trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of the Virgin Mary. They emphasize that the spiritual dimension is essential for the conduct of the Conclave and urge the Catholic community to unite in prayer so that the election of the new pontiff may be the fruit of profound docility to divine will.

As the cardinals prepare to elect Peter’s successor, we the faithful have an active and crucial role to play. History shows us that the prayer of God’s people has marked the course of the Church in decisive moments. This article is not only a guide, but an invitation to join spiritually in this historic event.

🕯️ 1. The Power of Prayer in Conclaves: Lessons from History

Tradition teaches that the Holy Spirit guides the election of the Pope, but also that the prayer of the faithful can influence this supernatural process. Some examples:

• The conclave of 1271 lasted three years due to divisions among the cardinals. Finally, the citizens of Viterbo locked them up and rationed their food until they elected Gregory X. Since then, the conclave has been a closed process.
• Saint Philip Neri, during the conclave of 1559, organized public prayer processions to pray for the end of the schism.

📌 “God acts through human freedom. Our prayers pave the way for his will.”

📿 2. Three powerful prayers for the conclav

🔹 A) “Veni Creator Spiritus” (Come, Creator Spirit)

This hymn is sung at the beginning of the conclave and is perfect for invoking divine light:

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send, Lord, your Spirit
and all things will be created,
and you will renew the face of the earth.”

✝️ Why pray it? Because it is the official prayer of the Church to ask for wisdom in the election of the Pope.

🔹 B) The Prayer of Saint Catherine of Siena

The saint who brought the Pope back to Rome (from exile in Avignon) left us this plea:

“Lord, give your Church a holy Shepherd,
a Pope who does not fear the powerful,
who loves the humble,
and guides us with the power of your truth.”

✝️ Why pray it? Because it unites courage and humility, two key virtues for the next Pontiff.

🔹 C) The Rosary for the Future Pope

Offering a Rosary for the cardinals is a deep-rooted tradition.

• Joyful Mysteries: So that the new Pope may have the joy of evangelizing.
• Sorrowful Mysteries: So that he may endure the trials to come.
• Glorious Mysteries: So that the Church may be reborn under his leadership.

📌 “Pray a rosary each day of the conclave, offering it for a virtue of the future Pope.”

⛪ 3. Other ways to participate spiritually

🔸 A) Fasting: A sacrifice that opens paths

Jesus said that “certain demons are cast out only by prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:29). Fasting purifies our intentions and gives strength to our supplications.

• Ideas: Skip a meal, avoid social media, make a small but constant sacrifice.

🔸 B) Eucharistic Adoration: Wait in silence

Many parishes organize holy hours during the conclave. If you can’t attend, you can make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and offer it for the cardinals.

🔸 C) Offer Holy Mass

Nothing is more powerful than Christ’s sacrifice. You can ask a priest to offer a Mass for this intention or spiritually join the Vatican Masses.

🌍 4. A universal prayer chain

In the 21st century, prayer transcends borders. Some initiatives:

✅ #PrayForThePope on social media.
✅ WhatsApp groups to send prayer intentions.
✅ Spend time in front of the Tabernacle talking to the Lord and praying for the future Pope during the conclave.

🎤 “God listens to his people”

The conclave is a moment of grace. When the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel, millions of Catholics will be united in prayer. And even if we don’t see the immediate result, God always answers.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

🛐 “Will you join this wave of prayer? The future of the Church also depends on you.”

“God writes straight with crooked lines. Our prayer can be the pen that helps draw out his will.”