Cardinals meet again at the Vatican for the final talks before entering the conclave

Catholic cardinals gathered Monday at the Vatican for their tenth general congregation ahead of the conclave to elect a new pope. The closed-door meetings allow cardinals to exchange views on the challenges facing the Church before entering the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday for the papal vote.

The 133 cardinals are engaging in near-daily discussions while sequestered at a Vatican residence, where they remain isolated from external communication during the conclave.

Although a few names, including Cardinals Pietro Parolin and Luis Antonio Tagle, are frequently mentioned, no clear frontrunner has emerged.Some participants say their preferences are still evolving, and speeches delivered during this final round of meetings could be influential. The new pope will lead the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church through its next chapter.