(written on Monday, March 11th)
A historical week has started. For those of us here in Rome this one will be the second unforgettable week in the last years. The first one, which was also historical, was Benedict XVI's last week as a pope. This time, by the end of this week we will have a new pope. In the Sistine Chapel everything is by now ready for the beginning of the Conclave. Yesterday all the electing cardinals celebrated Mass in their respective Roman Basilicas that are entitled to each one of them. The Basilica where I live, the Basilica of St. Boniface and St. Alexis, is entitled to the Cardinal of Rio de Janeiro and we had his visit yesterday. Today the college of cardinals will have the last pre-conclave meeting.
A historical week has started. For those of us here in Rome this one will be the second unforgettable week in the last years. The first one, which was also historical, was Benedict XVI's last week as a pope. This time, by the end of this week we will have a new pope. In the Sistine Chapel everything is by now ready for the beginning of the Conclave. Yesterday all the electing cardinals celebrated Mass in their respective Roman Basilicas that are entitled to each one of them. The Basilica where I live, the Basilica of St. Boniface and St. Alexis, is entitled to the Cardinal of Rio de Janeiro and we had his visit yesterday. Today the college of cardinals will have the last pre-conclave meeting.
It's incredible to think that exactly a month ago Benedict XVI gave the official announcement of his resignation. Precisely the way he left the papacy is what makes this conclave so historical and unique. This time is the first time in many centuries that the Church has to do an election of a new pope while the last man who was pope is still alive. Not only is Ratzinger still among us but his teaching before leaving the papacy, particularly in his last messages, is present to all of us. He has left a legacy that was certainly inspired by the Holy Spirit and based only on the Word of God. His actions announce the need to be servants as Jesus who came to serve and not to be served. Ratzinger's words reminded us that the Church is led by Christ alone and that only Christ can save us. On a practical level, Ratzinger left a secret investigation on the Vatican's scandals for the next pope to see and face.
Our hopes, for now, is that the cardinals have open ears and open hearts so that they listen to what God has taught the Church through Benedict XVI. This time the cardinals had more time than usual to think of the right man and they also had clear indications from the last pope on the right kind of leader that the Church needs in this particular moment. Our prayer right now should be that they are humble and that they are docile to the inspirations that they receive from the Holy Spirit as individuals and as the college of cardinals.
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