Hong Kong’s Cardinal Stephen Chow to join conclave to elect pope’s successor

Hong Kong Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan will join the conclave in which Pope Francis’ successor will be elected, the city’s Catholic diocese has said, but declined to disclose further details.

The secret meeting, where all cardinals under 80 gather at the Sistine Chapel to vote for the new pontiff, normally commences 15 to 20 days after the previous pope’s death.

Francis, the first Latin American pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

In a reply to the Post, the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong confirmed that Chow would take part in the meeting.

“Cardinal Chow will be going to the Vatican for the conclave, yet his itinerary is not supposed to be disclosed,” a spokesman for the Hong Kong Catholic Social Communications Office said.

The first session of general congregations, which help shape the qualities Francis’ successor should have, kicked off on Tuesday.