#cardinals

We finally have a date for the beginning of the Conclave, as everyone knows. It will be on this Tuesday, March 12^th. I have to say that there was a lot of joy here in central Rome yesterday when the cardinals announced the day on which they will begin to choose the pope. I also notice that here among religious communities and seminarians the prayers have intensified, particularly as we all ask God to prepare the cardinals for this gigantic responsibility.

This weekend will be special for this group of chosen men. They have some breaks and a couple of reunions before locking themselves up in the Vatican and in the Sistine Chapel. These are the days right before the big meeting starts. The interesting part, and what’s so unique about this weekend, is that right now the cardinals have in their minds and in their hearts all the essential information that they received this week in the pre-conclave meetings. This week they have discussed the delicate issues in our Church. They have also become aware of the needs of faithful Catholics from places that they hadn’t heard of. Above all, they exchanged profound ideas about the profile that the next pope should have in order to lead our Church closer to its Celestial Home and its Creator.

This weekend and Monday are the days in which our cardinals will think of a man to pick and will think about the future of the Church. They know that on Tuesday they will begin to have a crucial role in the Body of Christ. As faithful of the Church we are called to spend today, tomorrow, and Monday in constant prayer for the men in red. We are called to pray that no worldly desire or interest distracts them from the right choice. Fasting is totally recommended. As the cardinals spend the next three days with so much in their heads, let us begin to ask God to send his Holy Spirit over each one of them. 

Here are some pictures taken today of the Vatican in Sede Vacante (w/o pope) and getting ready for the Conclave: click here to see pictures.