This conclave could be a short one – Diepresse.com
The number of pope election participants is given by the Vatican as 133. The controversial Cardinal Becciu – he was convicted under criminal law – withdrew on his own initiative and saves the church further. The cardinals were fixed for the first details of the start of the conclusion.
Vatican City/Vienna. 135 cardinals under the age of 80 from all over the world are entitled to take part in the choice of the next head of the Catholic Church, which had 1.4 billion members. At least two of them canceled a participation for health reasons, which was officially confirmed by the Vatican on Tuesday. According to previous media reports, it is likely to be the emeritus archbishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal Vinko Puljić (79), and the Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares (79).
Cardinal Angelo Becciu was never on the list of 135. The church is spared a dispute over the canon law of receded cardinals for the time being. The judicial Italian cardinal said on Tuesday that he waived the choice of a new Pope, as he was “the well -being of the church on the heart”. Before that, he had repeatedly sounded through to insist on his supposed right to choose the Pope.
Most of the cardinals have already traveled to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis last Saturday. The actual conclave begins on May 7th. Until then, the church dignitaries have time to discuss the future desired course of the Vatican in preliminary talks or weigh candidates.
Last complics lasted two days
This is also a reason why some cardinals believe that the conclave could not take too long. Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez from El Salvador said in front of journalists on Tuesday: « Two or three days, that’s the feeling that we have in the room. » However, 82-year-olds are no longer allowed to coordinate Chavez himself.
Similarly, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad. He expects a similarly short pope as the one when Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis in March 2013. At that time, the conclave lasted two days, as did 2005.
Determined expiry of a concrete start
The sixth general congregation of the cardinals took place on Tuesday, in which preparations for the conclave were made. 183 cardinals, including the emeritus Viennese archbishop, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, took part in the General Congregation, which dealt with the challenges of the World Church, among other things. The cardinals thanked for the great sympathy of the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, as Bruni reported.
The Vatican has now announced details about the time of time of the compliance on Wednesday next week. According to this, the cardinals in the morning (10 a.m.) come together to the « Pro Elendo Romano Pontifice » trade fair (for the election of the Roman Pope) in St. Peter’s Basilica. This is celebrated by the dean of the Cardinal College, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. In the afternoon (4:15 p.m.), the cardinals entitled to vote can be found in the Cappella Paolina in the Apostolic Palace. From there, the move into the Sistine chapel takes place at 4:30 p.m.
The Vatican did not give any further details at first. Traditionally, however, the cardinals have to promise after the solemn move under oath to observe the election regulations of the conclave and to maintain absolute confidentiality about the choice. The master of ceremonies then calls on the call « Extra Omnes » (all beyond) all non-voters to leave the chapel.
Election possible on the first evening
The path for the first ballot is then free on the first day. The further rhythm then consists of two electoral groups in the morning and two electoral courses in the afternoon. To choose from, the new Pope needs a two -thirds majority. There is no time limit for the conclave. (APA/Reuters)
