“I hope they all return from the conclave, even if some return, passing through the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, because, of course, we are a bit provincial in every way,” stated António Estêvão Fernandes, expressing his thoughts on the potential of one of the four Portuguese cardinal electors being chosen as the new Pope.
For the first time in history, Portugal has four cardinal electors — Manuel Clemente, António Marto, Tolentino de Mendonça, and Américo Aguiar. Three of them are staying at the Portuguese Pontifical College, a Catholic Church establishment that acts as the national religious hierarchy’s headquarters near the Vatican.
“Hosting three cardinal electors was not difficult because the exceptional nature of the situation is understood, and the house prepared calmly to receive the cardinals participating in the conclave, especially as they are already regular visitors” of the college, explained the 42-year-old Madeiran priest.
Among the four cardinals, the only resident of Rome is Tolentino de Mendonça, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, a Roman Curia position to which he was appointed by Francis, who passed away on April 21.
“After the conclave, they should return here to then wait for the pontificate’s inaugural Mass,” explained António Estêvão Fernandes.
In the meantime, the three Portuguese cardinals lead a “normal life,” disrupted by the general congregations and meetings of both elector and non-elector cardinals preceding the conclave, which begins next Wednesday.
“We have meals together, coffee, and the Eucharist together,” with a “close, normal, friendly contact, very healthy but also of mutual respect,” explained the rector, describing the interaction between the cardinals and the 32 students of the college, from diverse countries such as Portugal, Chile, Brazil, South Korea, Angola, and India.
Admitting a “natural excitement” among some knowing that they have in-house “three cardinals who will have the responsibility of providing the successor of Peter to the Church,” the rector emphasizes that no one tries to influence the best candidate.
“We leave that to the cardinals’ discernment with what is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,” said the rector, while praising the profile of the Portuguese electors.
“I believe that any of those there can serve the Church well,” and “each in their own style can contribute to the path of the Church in the future,” he added.
The conclave begins on Wednesday, May 7, and it will be the responsibility of the 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80 to choose Francis’s successor. Each day, four ballots will be conducted, and the future Pope must secure at least two-thirds of the votes counted.
