The cardinals gathered in the Vatican preparing for the Papal election have not yet voted on a date for the beginning of the conclave. The Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said Wednesday after the fourth so-called General Congregation. The meeting was attended by a total of 153 cardinals, including 113 of the 115 Cardinal electors.
Four newly arrived contributed Cardinals took their oath The preparation for the Pope at the Vatican cardinals gathered voted yet on a date for the beginning of the conclave. The Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said Wednesday after the fourth so-called General Congregation. The meeting was attended by a total of 153 cardinals, including 113 of the approved 115 for Election.
Four newly arrived contributed Cardinals took their oath on Wednesday morning to observe the electoral law and secrecy. They were Mainz Cardinal Karl Lehmann (76), the Egyptian Antonios Naguib (77), John Tong Hon (73) from Hong Kong and the former Archbishop of Munich, Friedrich Wetter (85). Not yet arrived on Wednesday at noon were the Warsaw Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz (63) and his Vietnamese counterpart, Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man (79). Nycz would arrive in the afternoon, Pham Thursday only.
In eighteen five-minute speechesm the Cardinals discussed on Wednesday morning, according to Lombardi's statement, the situation of the Church in today's world and about the desired new evangelization. In addition, the participants had discussed the relationship of the Vatican Curia with the local churches. Finally, they talked on the profile and characteristics, which the new pope should have.
In the afternoon, the Cardinals gathered for a prayer meeting in the Vatican Basilica. On Thursday again for two conferences are planned, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon.
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How Cardinal Lehmann celebrates Mass- on an unspeakable pile of bricks in the fine Cathedral of Mainz.
