Jakarta (ANTARA) - Archbishop of Jakarta Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo announced he will participate in the upcoming papal conclave to elect the new Pope and plans to depart for the Vatican on May 4, 2025.

"I will depart on May 4 to participate in the conclave," the cardinal stated at the Jakarta Cathedral on Thursday.

Suharyo said he had received information that cardinals have begun arriving at the Vatican. He added that those already there attend a daily meeting at 9 a.m. to prepare for the conclave.

The conclave will be held on May 6, 2025, 15 days after Pope Francis's death.

"Nonetheless, the cardinals will decide whether to start the Conclave on May 6 or if they need more time to prepare it," the Jakarta Archbishop said.

Archbishop of Bandung Monsignor Antonius Subianto Bunjamin will represent the Indonesian Conference of Churches (KWI) at the late Pope's funeral on Saturday (April 26).

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Cathedral held a Requiem Mass on Thursday for the passing of Pope Francis, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio for Indonesia, Monsignor Piero Pioppo.

The conclave to select the new Pope will take place in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. It will be conducted in complete secrecy, and participating cardinals will be "quarantined" from the outside world until a new Pope is chosen.

The cardinals will stay at Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Holy See's guest house, and will be barred from accessing outside information, including through cell phones or other devices.

Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible for the upcoming conclave, meaning only 135 of the current 252 cardinals can take part in the process.



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