A Penitent Blogger
Conclave to begin Monday, April 18
"Holy See Press Office Director Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls gave a briefing early this afternoon (Rome time) on the fourth General Congregation of cardinals that was held this morning in the Vatican, during which he announced that the conclave to elect the successor of John Paul II will start the afternoon of Monday, April 18.
"He said that 'the Fourth General Congregations of Cardinals was held this morning in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican, beginning at 10 a.m.
"'There were 116 cardinals present, 31 of whom are newly arrived, who swore their prescribed oath. The number of cardinals present in Rome at this moment is 122 (A Penitent Blogger's note: Cardinals over the age of 79 are allowed to participate in these congregations, although not in the conclave).
"'In today's general congregation, the cardinals were informed of both the official delegations coming from throughout the world for the Holy Father's funeral on Friday morning as well as the delegations from diverse Christian denominations and from other religions.
"'The cardinals also considered several particular questions relative to the funeral Mass of the Holy Father and the celebrations of the novendiali, (nine official days of mourning with a Mass each day for the Holy Father) in particular for the cappelle papali of Saturday, April 9, Tuesday, April 12 and Saturday, April 16.
"'(The novendiali are the nine Masses that are celebrated each day. Why are some called cappelle papali? Because in the rest of the Masses some groups, a diocese, people who work in the Vatican ... are generally invited. The cappelle are more open, less specific, as regards the number of people or groups present.)
"'Also taken into consideration was the request made by many parties to bring the remains of the Holy Father - on Friday, April 8, following the funeral Mass but before burial - to St. John Lateran Basilica to allow for veneration by the Roman faithful and others who were unable to come to St. Peter's Basilica. After attentively studying the matter it was concluded that this idea would not be technically possible. Therefore, as pre-announced, the burial in the Vatican Grottos will take place immediately after the funeral Mass.
"'The Holy Father's Will was read and it was decided to publish it in its entirety tomorrow in the original Polish language and in an Italian translation.
"'The date for the start of the conclave was set for Monday, April 18. In the morning there will be the votive Mass pro eligendo papa in the Vatican Basilica (St. Peter's). In early afternoon the cardinals will enter into conclave in the Sistine Chapel.
"'I can confirm that the Holy Father John Paul II, before his death, did not communicate the name of the cardinal reserved in pectore in the consistory of October 2003. Therefore, this is no longer a question."
"Journalists asked if it would be possible for them to see the Sistine Chapel before the start of the conclave and Dr. Navarro-Valls responded by noting that, as there are 3,500 accredited journalists, this would be logistically impossible. He said that a video would be shown to them, featuring all the sites in the Vatican associated with a conclave."
(Source: Vatican Information Service)
UPDATE: Here is a later Briefing on Conclave procedures.
"He said that 'the Fourth General Congregations of Cardinals was held this morning in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican, beginning at 10 a.m.
"'There were 116 cardinals present, 31 of whom are newly arrived, who swore their prescribed oath. The number of cardinals present in Rome at this moment is 122 (A Penitent Blogger's note: Cardinals over the age of 79 are allowed to participate in these congregations, although not in the conclave).
"'In today's general congregation, the cardinals were informed of both the official delegations coming from throughout the world for the Holy Father's funeral on Friday morning as well as the delegations from diverse Christian denominations and from other religions.
"'The cardinals also considered several particular questions relative to the funeral Mass of the Holy Father and the celebrations of the novendiali, (nine official days of mourning with a Mass each day for the Holy Father) in particular for the cappelle papali of Saturday, April 9, Tuesday, April 12 and Saturday, April 16.
"'(The novendiali are the nine Masses that are celebrated each day. Why are some called cappelle papali? Because in the rest of the Masses some groups, a diocese, people who work in the Vatican ... are generally invited. The cappelle are more open, less specific, as regards the number of people or groups present.)
"'Also taken into consideration was the request made by many parties to bring the remains of the Holy Father - on Friday, April 8, following the funeral Mass but before burial - to St. John Lateran Basilica to allow for veneration by the Roman faithful and others who were unable to come to St. Peter's Basilica. After attentively studying the matter it was concluded that this idea would not be technically possible. Therefore, as pre-announced, the burial in the Vatican Grottos will take place immediately after the funeral Mass.
"'The Holy Father's Will was read and it was decided to publish it in its entirety tomorrow in the original Polish language and in an Italian translation.
"'The date for the start of the conclave was set for Monday, April 18. In the morning there will be the votive Mass pro eligendo papa in the Vatican Basilica (St. Peter's). In early afternoon the cardinals will enter into conclave in the Sistine Chapel.
"'I can confirm that the Holy Father John Paul II, before his death, did not communicate the name of the cardinal reserved in pectore in the consistory of October 2003. Therefore, this is no longer a question."
"Journalists asked if it would be possible for them to see the Sistine Chapel before the start of the conclave and Dr. Navarro-Valls responded by noting that, as there are 3,500 accredited journalists, this would be logistically impossible. He said that a video would be shown to them, featuring all the sites in the Vatican associated with a conclave."
(Source: Vatican Information Service)
UPDATE: Here is a later Briefing on Conclave procedures.
posted by Penitens | 8:26 AM
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