Cardinals with the reins of power during the Conclave

Cardinal Marx begins work in interim global Church leadership

During the Sede Vacante, the cardinals are responsible for the day-to-day business of the Church. The reins of power are held by the Cardinal Treasurer and three assistants – two are chosen by lot, one is appointed: Cardinal Marx. His work in Rome begins now.

Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx has been participating in the interim leadership of the world Catholic Church since today. The Cardinals present in Rome confirmed him as one of three assistants to Cardinal Treasurer Kevin Farrell in governing the Church during the Sede Vacante, due to his role as co-ordinator of the Council for the Economy. According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the General Congregations confirmed Marx as a member of the Special Congregations on Monday. In addition, after three days, two additional members of the Special Congregations were selected by lot: Cardinal Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle and Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti.

During the Sede Vacante, all cardinals present in Rome deliberate in daily General Congregations until the beginning of the Conclave. According to the Sede Vacante regulation, "Universis Dominici gregis," they are responsible for all "more important matters." Unlike the General Congregations, the Special Congregations continue to function during the Conclave. They handle daily operational matters.

Marx appointed as a result of Francis's reform

Cardinal Chamberlain Kevin Farrell presides over the Special Congregations by virtue of his office. Originally, the three other members were randomly selected, with one Cardinal from each class of the cardinals (Cardinal Deacons, Cardinal Priests and Cardinal Bishops) serving in the congregations. With his 2022 Curial reform, "Praedicate Evangelium," Pope Francis decreed that one of the three would always be the Cardinal Co-ordinator of the Economic Council, and only the other two would be randomly selected. Since Cardinal Marx belongs to the class of Cardinal Priests, the remaining members will be randomly selected from the classes of Cardinal Bishops and Deacons.

Cardinal Marx has been the Cardinal Co-ordinator of the Economic Council, established by Francis in 2014, since its establishment. Its task is to "oversee the administrative and financial structures and activities of the Curial institutions and offices, as well as those associated with the Holy See." It consists of eight Cardinals or Bishops and seven lay members, each appointed for a five-year term. In addition to Marx, another German member of the Council, the Düsseldorf lawyer Charlotte Kreuter-Kirchhof, is also a member.

On Sunday, Cardinal Marx presided over a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis in Munich. In his homily, the Munich Archbishop praised Francis's Pontificate as "a great one" that had changed much. He was not afraid of contact, but rather wanted to build bridges and set up a sign of solidarity. His death is a loss for the Church and for many people.

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