Vatican: Conclave set to start early next week, says Father Lombardi

Vatican: Conclave set to start early next week, says Father Lombardi
di Stella Prudente
1 Minuto di Lettura
Venerdì 8 Marzo 2013, 14:00 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 10 Febbraio, 04:29
VATICAN CITY - The conclave to elect the next pope will probably start early next week, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Friday. If you ask when the conclave will start, I say at the start of next week, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, Lombardi told reporters. I don't think the cardinals will decide to start Saturday or Sunday.



The Cardinals should set the crucial date today, by 7 pm: «It is expected in the afternoon, the vote on the date for conclave» Lombardi said. And it’s official, the cardinal electors who’ll enter the Sistina Chapel to vote are 115 (the two thirds necessary for electing the Pontiff are 77). In fact, the College of Cardinals ratified this morning the absence of two cardinals: the archbishop emeritus of Jakarta Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadjae, will not be present in Rome for health reasons, and the Scottish cardinal Keith O'Brien, overwhelmed by the sex abuses scandals involving some young priests.



The Cardinals will hold another General Congregation tomorrow morning, while Sunday they’ll probably celebrate Mass in their ritual churches in Rome. This morning, Father Lombardi has walked through the Petriano Gate carrying in his hands a rose and mimosas for the women working as translators at the congregations. That was intented to celebrate Women’s Day, on this 8 March.
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