On the morning of Tuesday, April 22, following the death of Pope Francis, the first General Congregation of the College of Cardinals was held. It began at 9:00 a.m. and lasted until approximately 10:30 a.m. Some sixty Cardinals were present in the New Synod Hall, which began with a moment of prayer for the late Pope Francis.

The Cardinals swore to faithfully observe the norms of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis regarding the vacancy of the Apostolic See and the election of the Roman Pontiff, then sang the Adsumus. Paragraphs 12 and 13 of the Apostolic Constitution were read, and Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell read to the Cardinals the Testament of Francis, which was released yesterday afternoon.

The Second General Congregation on April 23

During this first Congregation, the dates of the transfer and funeral were also decided, as previously announced by the Holy See Press Office. It was also indicated that the second General Congregation will take place tomorrow at 5:00 PM, since in the morning the Cardinals will participate in the transfer of the coffin from Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Mass on Sunday, April 27, in St. Peter’s Square will be presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin and will be the second of the Novendiali: it is a funeral Mass. The Novendiali Masses will be celebrated daily at 5:00 p.m.

Cardinals Assisting the Camerlengo Elected

Also, this morning, the three Cardinals of the Commission that assists the Camerlengo in ordinary decisions were chosen by lot: Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Stanislaw Rylko, and Fabio Baggio, one from each order that makes up the College of Cardinals: bishops, priests, and deacons. The Cardinals of this Commission are drawn by lot every three days.

In addition, for tonight, at 7:30 p.m., the recitation of the Holy Rosary by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square has been announced on the Secretary of State’s X account.