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The conclave begins in Rome on Wednesday. With the exception of two cardinals, all those eligible to vote have already arrived to prepare for the papal election. They will be accommodated in single rooms and must hand in all electronic devices, such as cell phones.
The windows in the room are sealed, and the shutters are closed. There is no internet or telephone reception, said Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki from Cologne, who is taking part in a papal election for the second time. “We are then really cut off from the outside world and can concentrate fully on the election of the new pope.” Such isolation is “certainly challenging” but ensures that the election “can take place without influences and distractions – that is the point of these rules.”
Each cardinal has “his view of the world and the Church”. One hundred thirteen cardinals will decide on the successor to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. Most of them met on Saturday to prepare for the election. Two of the papal electors have not yet arrived in Rome. Among other things, the role of the Curia and cooperation with other churches were discussed at the meeting on Saturday. Two further general congregations are planned for Monday and one for Tuesday.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the renovation work in the Santa Marta guest house, where the cardinals are staying during the conclave, is expected to be completed on Monday. The rooms are currently being renovated. The papal electors will arrive between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
The conclave will begin on Wednesday after a 4:30 p.m. Mass in the Sistine Chapel.
- source: krone.at/picture: Image by Yolanda Coervers from Pixabay
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