[REFLECTION] The election of a pope is not a political contest

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'Let us accompany the electors with our prayers, not our preferences. Let us fast from speculation and feast on hope.'

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, the bishop of Kalookan, published this reflection on Facebook on Friday, April 25, after flying to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral and the upcoming conclave. Rappler is republishing this with his permission.

Dear fellow Catholics,

Let us remember that the election of a pope is not a political contest but a spiritual discernment. While it is natural to have hopes or preferences for certain personalities, we are ultimately invited to trust in the work of the Holy Spirit and the solemn responsibility entrusted to the College of Cardinals. The conclave is a sacred moment, guided not by popularity or strategy, but by prayer, humility, and the collective listening of the Church’s shepherds to God’s will.

Creating or sharing campaign videos, even with good intentions, risks turning a sacred discernment into a worldly spectacle. It may inadvertently pressure or politicize the conscience of the electors, and distract from the silence and prayer needed to truly hear the voice of the Spirit. Films and series about the conclave may be interesting, but let us not forget: they are fictional, deliberately sensationalized to be dramatic, entertaining, and profitable. They are far removed from the reverent and prayerful reality of the actual event.

Instead, let us accompany the electors with our prayers, not our preferences. Let us fast from speculation and feast on hope. Let us encourage one another to deepen our faith, trusting that the Lord— who has not abandoned His Church — will once again raise up a shepherd after His own heart.

Like Christ who is fully divine and fully human, so too is his Body, the Church. We must constantly ensure that its divinity is never eclipsed by the crassness of human power play, or obscured by traditional pomp and regalia that, though part of our history, are not always aligned with the essence and mission of the Church. These, too, require ongoing grounding and renewal, in response to the new pastoral challenges and emerging “signs of the times.”

If we must speak, let us strive to speak words of encouragement, not endorsement. If we must share something online, let it be Scripture, reflections that edify, prayers that nurture faith, strengthen hope, and foster love — love that alone can bring about justice and peace, mercy and compassion, healing and reconciliation in our wounded world.

We found a role model for this in Pope Francis himself. To walk in his memory is to keep alive his spirit.

Above all, let us keep our gaze on Christ, the true Head of the Church, who alone can give us the Pope we need — not the one we think we want. — Rappler.com

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David is the bishop of the Diocese of Kalookan. He is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.