• Cardinals set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect a new pope.
• Discussions emphasize the need for unity and the direction of the Catholic Church.
• Questions loom over whether convicted cardinal Angelo Becciu will be allowed to vote.
• Many cardinals have little familiarity with each other prior to the conclave.
• The conclave process requires two-thirds majority support for a candidate.

Cardinals have officially set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, delaying the voting by two days to foster better acquaintance among the electors. This decision was made during initial informal meetings following Pope Francis' funeral, where journalists crowded the Vatican gates seeking insights into the election dynamics. Argentine Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi expressed, "There is the hope of unity," indicating a shared sentiment among many cardinals to maintain Francis’ focus on people marginalized and against warfare, though divisions remain within the ranks regarding the church's future direction, according to Latimes and Indiatimes.

The College of Cardinals, which comprises members from diverse regions, may face challenges in reaching consensus due to their limited interactions prior to the conclave. Cardinal Vincent Nichols highlighted that among the 135 voting-age cardinals, many were unfamiliar with each other, which could complicate the voting process that requires a two-thirds majority. He stated, "We've got all week," emphasizing the time available to foster relationships before the conclave starts, according to Huffpost and Africanews.

One significant concern for the upcoming conclave will be the eligibility of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who has faced legal issues and was convicted of finance-related crimes. He is appealing his conviction, and while he insists he should have the right to vote, the Vatican's official statistics deem him a "non-elector." This ambiguity could affect the dynamics within the conclave as they prepare for the voting within the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal Baltazar Porras Cardozo expressed confidence that once the conclave begins, decisions would be swift, typically within "two and three days," according to Latimes and Huffpost.

Cardinal testimonies indicate an ongoing effort towards fostering a cohesive approach, with some reflecting a preference to maintain the church's pastoral focus as laid out by Pope Francis. However, conservative elements within the College of Cardinals appear to be pushing for a return to more traditional doctrines. African cardinal voices, such as John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, have noted a collective stance against some of Francis' progressive initiatives, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ matters, highlighting the complexities presented by geographic and ideological diversity among the cardinals, according to Africanews and Indiatimes.