General congregations: With all electors present still no date for Conclave
(Vatican Radio) The very first issue on Fr. Federico Lombardi's agenda Thursday during
his daily briefing with international press was to reiterate once again that no date
has yet been set for Conclave. He noted that news reports of St Peter's Basilica
having been booked Monday afternoon next at 5pm, for a Mass for the election of the
Roman Pontiff are unfounded. Fr. Lomabrdi pointed out to press that the Missa pro
eligendo pontifice can be celebrated by any priest during the interregnum, or Vacant
See, as part of the Universal Church's call to prayer during this period.Emer McCarthy
reports Listen:
152 Cardinals
were present for the 5th general congregation that began at 9:30 with prayer. There
were two new arrivals overnight: Cardinal Nycz from Warsaw, Poland, who is an elector;
and Italian Cardinal Coppa, who is not. The Vietnamese Cardinal Pham of Hồ Chí Minh
City is due to arrive in time for Thursday afternoon’s session. His arrival will bring
the number of Cardinal Electors present in Rome to the total 115 men who can vote
in Conclave for the Pope.
On Thursday morning, the particular congregation,
or executive that aids the camerlegno, Cardinal Bertone, and is chosen by lot every
three days, was renewed: The names extracted were Cardinal Rai for the order of bishops,
Cardinal Monsengwo for the order of priests and Cardinal De Paolis for the order of
deacons.
Also Thursday morning the Cardinal-Dean, Angelo Sodano, read the text
of a telegram that the College of Cardinals will send to Venezuela marking death of
President Chavez.
There were 16 interventions, the first three by Cardinals
in charge of the economic affairs of the Holy See; Cardinal Versaldi who is in charge
of economic affairs, Cardinal Calcagno in charge of APSA (administration of the
Holy See’s patrimony) and Cardinal Bertello from the Governatorate of Vatican City
State. Paragraph 171 of the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia Pastor Bonus
demands the College of Cardinals receive a report on the patrimonial and economic
status of the Holy See during the Vacant See.
The remaining 13 interventions
were wide ranging: touching on topics from the Church’s commitment to evangelization,
relations with local bishops, ecumenical dialogue and the Church’s charitable commitment
to the poor. Further discussion concerned the talents, qualities and characteristics
required of the next Pope.
Journalists were once again treated to a brief
film depicting preparation work on the Sistine Chapel. This included workmen blacking
out the windows to the ancient chapel and the installation of the chimney stack through
which the world will first come to know when and if a Pope has been elected.
The
sixth general congregation will continue Thursday evening from 5 to 7 pm.