General congregations: Five more cardinal electors swear oath

(Vatican Radio) On Monday evening the College of Cardinals gathered in the New Synod Hall for the second general congregation in preparation for Conclave. They were joined by five more Cardinal electors who swore the oath before the College, bringing the number yet to arrive in Rome to 8. They were Lebanese cardinal Bechara Rai Patriarch of the Maronite Church, German cardinals Woelki of Berlin and Meissner of Cologne, cardinal Duka of Prague and Senegalese cardinal Sarr of Dakar.
On Monday the first of two meditations was held as according to the Apostolic Constitution governing papal transitions. It was led by preacher to the papal household Capuchin Friar Raniero Cantalamessa. This was followed by nine interventions by individual cardinals
Moreover it was also decided that from Tuesday onwards, the general congregations will take place only in the mornings on Tuesday and Wednesday. There will be no second evening session.