First Congregation of the College of Cardinals

(Vatican Radio) The Cardinals of the Church are meeting today in the first of the General Congregations which occur to prepare for the Conclave. The Cardinals are pictured here arriving at the Paul VI Hall. The General Congregations include the participation of not only the Cardinal-electors, who are under 80 and can vote in the Conclave, but also Cardinals who are over 80 years of age. The second General Congregation will be this afternoon. It was announced a few days ago that not all of the Cardinal-electors have arrived in Rome, and their presence is necessary for the start of the Conclave.