A rare and pointed challenge has emerged from within the College of Cardinals just hours before the scheduled opening of the General Congregations at the Vatican. Cardinal Joseph Zen, the outspoken bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, has publicly questioned the decision to begin the meetings at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, calling into question both the logistics and the underlying respect for the global diversity—and age—of the College’s membership.
In a statement issued Monday afternoon for immediate release, Zen criticized the scheduling as inconsiderate, especially for elderly cardinals traveling from distant parts of the world—the so-called “peripheries” of the Church.
EXCLUSIVE: Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong is challenging the decision—communicated to the Cardinals in a letter earlier today—to hold the first meeting of the General Congregations of the College of Cardinals tomorrow morning (Tuesday, April 22) at 9am at the Vatican.
His… pic.twitter.com/8FTbp18VO7
— Diane Montagna (@dianemontagna) April 21, 2025
“Cardinal Zen would like to know why the first session of the General Congregations has to start so early. How are the old men from the peripheries supposed to arrive on time?” the statement reads.
Zen also expressed concern over what he perceives as a mixed message in the official communication from Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. The letter, which gently reminded cardinals that attendance was not obligatory, seemed to Zen to raise a deeper issue about whether attendance is merely optional, or whether cardinals have an actual right to be present.
“There is the kind word reminding them that they are not obliged to attend, but do they have the right to do so — yes or no?” Zen asked pointedly.
The General Congregations are a critical preparatory phase ahead of major Church events—most notably a conclave to elect a new pope. While such a conclave has not yet been officially announced, the urgency and high profile of the meetings have led many to speculate about significant developments in the Church’s near future.
Honestly feels like they are rigging the vote. They knew Pope Francis was dying and have been talking among themselves already.
There’s simply no need for this rush. You can’t expect elderly men to fly to the other side of the globe and be alert and ready tomorrow morning https://t.co/fKYsbdZmgZ
— HabitualLinestepper (@HabitualLinest) April 21, 2025
Zen’s question—“Do we have the right to attend?”—is not rhetorical. It is a demand for procedural clarity and respect for a College of Cardinals that is increasingly diverse, dispersed, and aging.
With tomorrow’s session looming, Cardinal Zen’s challenge throws a spotlight on a much more serious question: How seriously is the Vatican willing to take its promise of global representation, when decisions in Rome may still leave the global Church standing at the gates?
