Cardinals' Last Words Before Papal Conclave: Messages of Hope and Leadership**

As the conclave approaches, several cardinal contenders shared their insights during Sunday Mass, offering the faithful glimpses of their perspectives and aspirational papal qualities, while some leading candidates opted for strategic silence instead.**

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of France warmly engaged with children at a church nestled in the Monti district of Rome, while Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary called for prayers for fellow cardinals during his service close to the Colosseum. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo from Congo stood among a diverse group of priests behind the altar of a church in western Rome, each of these cardinals viewed as potential candidates for the papacy, though not among the primary favorites.

These appearances came just days before the conclave is set to commence on Wednesday, marking one of their final chances for public outreach. While their Masses were not explicitly campaign events, the cardinals' homilies and interactions with congregants offered subtle indicators of the proposals they may advocate and the type of leadership they envision for the Church.

Each cardinal possesses a titular church in Rome, where they often preside over Mass when in the city. Last week, for example, Cardinal Aveline and Cardinal Luis Tagle from the Philippines, another prominent papal contender, celebrated Mass at their respective titular churches, with Cardinal Tagle attracting a large Filipino assembly in the Centocelle suburb.

Several lesser-known cardinals also participated in services throughout the city on Sunday, providing Vatican enthusiasts opportunities for photographs and dialogue with these religious figures. Cardinal Ambongo, while delivering his homily at San Gabriele Arcangelo all’Acqua Traversa, expressed the urgent need for the next pope to possess the courage to face contemporary challenges within the Church.

Conversely, the two frontrunners among Italian cardinals, Pietro Parolin and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, opted to abstain from preaching publicly, reminiscent of political candidates who maintain a low profile to avoid mishaps that could undermine their front-runner status. Their silence raises intrigue as the faithful await insights on the likely directions of leadership that may unfold during the conclave.