Some 148 prelates are already in Rome, including 110 electors. The conclave date is "a theme that is open," said Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi. "The congregation of cardinals is still determining how long it will need to make adequate preparations for a decision as important as a conclave," he added. Tomorrow the prelates will conduct a prayer in Saint Peter's Basilica.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - After general congregation meetings, the cardinals of the Church sent a telegram to Benedict XVI signed by Card Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals. In it, they expressed their gratitude to him for his "brilliant" ministry.

"The Cardinal Fathers," read the telegram, "gathered at the Vatican for the General Congregations in view of the next Conclave, send you their devoted greetings and express their renewed gratitude for all your brilliant petrine ministry and for your example of generous pastoral care for the good of the Church and of the world. With their gratitude, they hope to represent the recognition of the entire Church for your tireless work in the vineyard of the Lord. In conclusion, the members of the College of Cardinals trust in your prayers for them, as well as for the whole Church."

The decision to send a telegram was made during today's third general congregation of cardinals.

Fr Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, said that at present 148 cardinals are already in Rome, including 110 cardinal electors. Five who have not yet arrived are in touch with the College of Cardinals.

The conclave date is "a theme that is open," Fr Lombardi explained. "The congregation of cardinals is still determining how long it will need to make adequate preparations for a decision as important as a conclave. They don't want to rush things," he added.

During today's third general congregation, Number 37 of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis was read, with the changes introduced by Benedict XVI in his recent Motu Proprio, regarding the beginning date of the Conclave. According to the latter, it is not necessary for all the electors to be present for the conclave to start, so long as everyone is given enough time to arrive.

In today's meeting, 11 prelates addressed the gathering bringing the total number of cardinals who have already spoken to the assembly to 33, from all five continents. Their intervention followed the order of registration.

Issues mentioned include the activities of the Holy See, the various dicasteries and their relationship to the episcopates, the renewal of the Church in light of the Second Vatican Council, the New Evangelisation, the Church and new cultures. During their address, dicastery heads informed those present about the activities of their respective departments.

Fr Lombardi noted that participants are free to express themselves within the assembly. No time restrictions have been imposed on speakers. However, the cardinals decided that next general congregations would be held only in the morning because they want time for themselves to prepare for talks, interaction, exchanges of information or opinion with others.

The prelates also agreed to meet tomorrow afternoon for a prayer led by the dean of cardinals. They urge the entire Church to pray and live in prayer this time of preparation for such an important decision as the election of a pope.

Meanwhile, work has begun this afternoon in the Sistine Chapel to prepare for the Conclave. It is therefore now closed to the public.

Two stoves will be installed, one to burn ballots and the other to burn material to create different coloured smoke to let the public know if a pope was selected or not.

Finally, Fr Lombardi said that as of yesterday, 4,432 journalists had requested temporary accreditation just for the election of the pontiff.

They join some 600 reporters, photographers and videographers already accredited to the Vatican on a permanent basis. This brings the total number of journalists to more than 5,000 from 65 nations working in 24 different languages. (FP)

 

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