Conclave Approaches: Cardinals Deliberate in Two Sessions

Today, Monday, even two general congregations of the cardinals are planned to prepare the conclave - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

So far, the cardinals had only met once a day. The fact that two sessions are planned for Monday is seen by insiders as a signal that the cardinals consider further discussions about the profile of Pope Francis's successor necessary.

Final preparations for the conclave are being made in the Vatican

In the Vatican, final preparations for the conclave to elect the next pope were made on Monday. The staff supporting the cardinals during the conclave swears secrecy on Monday afternoon. The ceremony involves, among others, doctors, table service, and the cleaning crew. Those who do not adhere to the confidentiality obligation face excommunication, it was announced from the Vatican.

The conclave will become a major media event. TV cameras have been positioned by Vatican Television CTV on the roof of the Sistine and Pauline Chapels as well as on St. Peter's Basilica. Media representatives from all over the world have accredited themselves with the Vatican; media in two dozen languages are registered in total.

On Wednesday morning, the cardinals move into the Santa Marta guesthouse, where they will stay during the conclave. The electoral assembly begins on Wednesday afternoon. Before the 133 electors enter the Sistine Chapel at around 4:30 PM, a special mass for a good papal election ("Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice") is scheduled at 10 AM. The papal electors vote during the conclave in the Sistine Chapel behind closed doors.

Nine-Day Mourning Period for Francis Comes to an End

In St. Peter's Basilica, a final funeral mass for Pope Francis was celebrated on Sunday afternoon. The service marked the end of the nine-day mourning period in the Vatican for the deceased Pontiff. French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti praised Francis' "intense pastoral life" in his sermon.

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, after having attended the Easter Mass in the Vatican and given the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing the day before. The following Saturday, Francis was laid to rest in the presence of heads of state and government from around the world. On this day, the traditional mourning period known as "Novendiale" began.

At the conclave in the Sistine Chapel, 133 cardinals eligible to vote are participating. When a new pope is elected, white smoke rises, and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica ring. Mamberti will then announce from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in his role as Cardinal Protodeacon: "Habemus Papam" ("We have a Pope"). Subsequently, the new pope will appear on the balcony and give the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing ("To the City and the World") for the first time.

The new pope must "be a shepherd and a credible person and Christian, regardless of his geographical origin," emphasized the emeritus Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, on Sunday in an interview with APA in Rome. "It is important that the new pope is attentive to the needs and joys of the people, that he feels a deep love for God and the people. People can sense whether he speaks empty words or truly lives the faith," said the Cardinal, who is participating in the General Congregations on Monday. Schönborn, already 80 years old, is not participating in the conclave due to age.

(APA/Red)

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