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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