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VATICAN CITY // The upcoming papal conclave cannot be expected to be too brief because cardinals need to keep getting to know each other, according to Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church.
Speaking to journalists as he was entering the synodal hall May 5 for the morning general congregation ahead of the conclave, Cardinal Sako explained that the process requires time, not undue haste, as the cardinals must vote only for candidates they know well.
“It will not be a short conclave of two, three days,” Cardinal Sako said, emphasizing the importance of careful discernment and familiarity among the electors. “We cannot vote for people we do not know.”
He explained that the selection of a new pope “is not to be rushed but should focus on choosing a leader who embodies unity and integrity for the Church.”
Cardinal Sako noted the “very fraternal atmosphere and a spirit of responsibility” among the cardinals as they prepare for the vote. He expressed hope that the new pope could be chosen within three to four days, but stressed that “the important thing is to have a good pope,” rather than simply a quick result.
Historically, recent conclaves have been brief: the elections of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Pope Francis in 2013 each took only two days, while the 1978 conclave that elected Pope John Paul II lasted three days. Currently, the minimum quorum for election is 89 votes.
Who is Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako?
Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako has served as the patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldean Catholic Church since 2013 and was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018. Born in Zakho, Iraq, in 1948, Cardinal Sako has been a prominent leader for Iraqi Christians, guiding his community through periods of intense conflict, including the aftermath of the US-led invasion and the rise of extremist violence.
Cardinal Sako is highly educated, holding doctorates in Eastern patrology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome and in history from the Sorbonne in Paris. He has been recognized for his advocacy for peace, interreligious dialogue, and the rights of Christians in Iraq. Fluent in several languages, Cardinal Sako has also served as rector of the Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad and as Archbishop of Kirkuk before becoming the patriarch.
