Cardinals need to do due spiritual diligence after Francis disaster

The General Congregations preceding the conclave are displaying a new tone, different from that of twelve years ago. In 2013, the cardinals elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio after a brief, direct, and well-structured speech that captured the audience and became the catalyst for his election. The famous anecdote of the "outgoing Church" spread around the world and, almost immediately, consolidated decisive support.

But with the passage of time, and after twelve years of pontificate, the College of Cardinals has learned a bitter lesson: a brilliant intervention does not guarantee balanced governance. It's not just about attractive ideas or accurate diagnoses. The weight of the Chair of Peter is borne by a specific person, with their character, their psychology, their way of exercising authority and relating to the Curia, the bishops, and the faithful.

Without entering into personal judgments, it is undeniable that Francis's pontificate has been marked by tensions, unpredictable decisions, and an often opaque and personalistic approach. The Church has experienced moments of confusion, doctrinal ambiguity, and reforms that have overwhelmed the usual channels. We have seen this in the appointments, in the public interventions, in the priorities set from Rome. A form of government that many have perceived as unpredictable, centralizing, and difficult to fit within the Church's tradition.

Therefore, today, in these General congregations, the Cardinals are adopting a different attitude. They are not looking for the most brilliant speaker, the author of the phrase that will draw applause or headlines. They are seeking to get to know people. They want to make sure they do not elect someone whose psychology is unsuitable for the weight of the Petrine ministry. They do not want another pontificate marked by instability.

The Cardinals converse, ask questions, and observe each other. It's no longer enough to speak well: they must demonstrate balance, serenity, and a capacity for governance. That's why they look each other in the eye. Recent experience has inoculated them against easy enthusiasm. The Church needs clarity, but also inner solidity and predictability.

The Holy Spirit blows where it wills, but people must do their part. This conclave, more than ever, will also be an examination of souls and temperaments. Let us pray that the choice will be wise, for the good of the entire Church.

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