At the seventh General Congregation held on Wednesday, 180 Cardinals—124 of them electors—gathered to reflect on key matters concerning the Church, with a particular focus on the Holy See’s financial landscape. The session was detailed by Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office.

Opening discussions centered on the Vatican’s economic and fiscal conditions. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, coordinator of the Council for the Economy, outlined current challenges and sustainability-focused reforms aimed at aligning financial structures with ongoing papal reforms. Additional insights were offered by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn—who spoke as head of the IOR Oversight Commission—and Cardinal Fernando Vergez, who addressed administrative updates within Vatican City, including renovation projects. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski also contributed, highlighting the charitable missions of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.

The latter half of the session shifted to theological and pastoral concerns. Fourteen Cardinals offered reflections on topics such as ecclesial identity, the spiritual harm caused by internal polarization, and the need for synodality and collegial governance to foster unity. Vocations, the role of the laity, and the imperative for authenticity in evangelization were also discussed, drawing on the foundational texts Lumen gentium and Gaudium et spes. The meeting concluded at 12:30 PM with the traditional prayer of the Regina Coeli.