The Cardinal College met for the last time before the conclave. The prelates do not yet have a list of possible favorites: “Not yet, maybe tomorrow”
The Cardinal College brought together the Vatican for the last meeting on Tuesday before the conclave for choosing a new pope, the DPA agency reports.
Cardinals will choose a new Pope Pope: Reuters
All the cardinals in the Catholic Church have the right to participate for the last time in the so-called general congregation of the Cardinal College on Tuesday.
Only the cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote for a new pope and, therefore, have the right to take part in Conclav, an event that begins on Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel and takes place with closed doors, writes Agerpres.
It is expected that 133 eligible cardinals – voters – from all over the world will participate in the conclave. Meanwhile, all the cardinals arrived in Rome.
On Tuesday, a considerable crowd was present in front of the Vatican gates, notes the DPA.
For dozens of journalists, it was one of the last occasions to ask the cardinals about their expectations. However, they seemed very reserved. Many did not move on foot to the Vatican, despite the short distances, but arrived by car. “A moment of peace!', requested one of the cardinals.
Cardinal Virgilio Dermo da Silva, Archbishop of Dili from East Timor, said that the prelates do not yet have a list of possible favorites. “Still no, maybe tomorrow ”said Carmo da Silva when asked if there is a short list of candidates, according to ANSA.
“We listen to the situations of the church in each side of the world.” he said. Asked if he was expecting a long conclave, he replied: “I don't know.”
The pope's choice is followed with great interest throughout the world, even in countries without a large Catholic population. It is estimated that there are 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
The cardinals are totally isolated from the outside world on the duration of the conclave organized to choose a successor of Pope Francis, who died in the Passover, at the age of 88.
A new two -thirds is required to choose a new pope.
There is no time limit. Lately, however, the conclaves have usually ended after two or three days.
Shortly after the choice of the new Pope – indicated by the white smoke that comes out on the basket of the Sixtine Chapel – an official will pronounce the Latin expression “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope“) From the balcony of the Basilica Saint Peter, announcing the name of the new Pontiff.
The new pope then appears for the first time in front of the public.
