All but four of the 135 cardinals who are eligible to enter the conclave May 7 to vote for a new pope had arrived in Rome by May 2, according to the Vatican press office.
Centuries of experience dealing with the death, or occasional resignation, of a pope has left the Catholic Church with thorough instructions detailing who has responsibility for planning the funeral, preparing for the election of a new pope and taking care of essential business in the meantime.
During the consistory at the Vatican, the pope announced the date for the canonizations will be Oct. 20 for everyone except Blessed Carlo Acutis, whose canonization date is yet to be determined.
Centuries later, standing on the rooftop of the convent where Sweden's first saint spent her final days in Rome, Sweden's first cardinal reflected on the Aug. 27 consistory that saw the creation of 20 new cardinals of the Catholic Church.
Christian humility implies placing one's desire to maintain appearances or selfish interests aside and instead putting the well-being of others first, said Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of San Diego.
For many people in Rome, Pope Francis' decision to schedule a consistory to create new cardinals in August was more surprising than the men he chose to receive the red hat.
With the need to reduce costs and make sure employees are not laid off, Pope Francis has approved pay cuts for cardinals, clergy, religious and upper management officials who work in the Roman Curia and other Vatican entities.
"None of us must feel 'superior' to anyone. None of us should look down at others from above. The only time we can look at a person in this way is when we are helping them to stand up," Pope Francis said during a ceremony in which he elevated 14 bishops and archbishops from 11 different nations to the College of Cardinals June 28.
Cardinals are not called to be "princes" of the church, but to serve the people of God and tackle the sins of the world, Pope Francis told five new cardinals.
