The Church encourages prayer, especially during the election of a new Pope, so that the Cardinals may be divinely assisted in their task 1 2. The Cardinals themselves are also encouraged to pray for divine assistance 3.

The Importance of Prayer

• Prayer is an essential part of Christian life and a means of union with God 4 5 6.
• Prayer is the source of inspiration, energy, and courage in the face of difficulties and obstacles 7.
• Through prayer, the Church expresses the supremacy of God and fulfills the commandment of love 5.
• Prayer helps individuals maintain contact with Christ amid ordinary occupations 7.
• Prayer is a relationship with the Lord that involves personal listening and waiting 8.
• The universal Church should persevere with one heart in prayer, spiritually united with Mary, the Mother of Jesus 2.

Prayer During the Election of a New Pope

• The Church is united in a special way with her Pastors and particularly with the Cardinal electors, asking God to grant a new Pope 2.
• Prayer should be offered that God may enlighten the electors and make them likeminded in their task, so that a speedy, harmonious, and fruitful election may take place 2.
• Those who, by reason of age, no longer enjoy the right to take part in the election of the Supreme Pontiff are encouraged to lead the prayer of the People of God 1.
• The Cardinal electors are exhorted to have before their eyes solely the glory of God and the good of the Church, and having prayed for divine assistance, to give their vote to the person most suited to govern the universal Church 3.
• The Cardinals are asked for complete correspondence with Christ's will through a deeper union with him and truer brotherly charity 9.

The Role of Cardinals

• Cardinals constitute a special college that provides for the election of the Roman Pontiff 10.
• They assist the Roman Pontiff either collegially or individually in the care of the universal Church 10.
• The Cardinals are the first advisors and collaborators of the Pope in governing the universal Church 11.
• The right to elect the Roman Pontiff belongs exclusively to the Cardinals of Holy Roman Church who are under the age of eighty 12.
• The maximum number of Cardinal electors must not exceed one hundred and twenty 12.

Conclusion

Prayer is essential to the Christian life, and the Church encourages all to pray, especially during the election of a new Pope. This ensures that the Cardinals are divinely assisted in their task of choosing the most suitable person to govern the universal Church.