Prayer reflects on conclave as “a deeply spiritual moment of discernment”

In a reflection, Rev. Dr Andrzej Choromanski, from the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, explained that the word “conclave,” from Latin cum clave, or “with a key,” reminds us of the prayerful enclosure where the cardinals listen not for their own opinions, but for the whisper of the Spirit.

“The election of a pope is not a political act, nor is it merely administrative,” said Choromanski. “It is, when properly understood, a deeply spiritual moment of discernment, when the church seeks a shepherd after the heart of Christ.”

That is why our prayer matters, continued Choromanski. “Not just the prayer of Catholics, but the prayer of all Christians,” he said. “Because although we remain divided—and we must be honest about that division—the pope is called to be a sign of unity for the whole church.”

Even when the pope’s role is not recognized or accepted by all, his actions, his voice, and his witness affect the whole Christian family, noted Choromanski.

“Let us pray together, then, not only for the outcome of the conclave, but for its meaning to be recognized across the Christian world,” he said. “May the new pope be a shepherd according to Jesus’ heart. May his ministry of unity and strengthening in faith be a gift to all Christians. And may the church recover, in God’s time and grace, the full visible unity for which Jesus himself so fervently prayed: ‘That they may all be one.’ ”

The papal conclave to elect the 267th pope will begin on 7 May.

Reflection for an Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Conclave by Mons. Andrzej Choromanski