Cardinals have last pre-conclave meeting

Among the few who spoke, Swedish Cardinal Anders Arborelius said he was not yet “completely certain” of his choice for the election of the future pope. “We are all thinking about it,” he explained.

“I'm a little tired, but I'm fine,” assured the 75-year-old Carmelite, who is himself on many lists of papabili.

Many cardinals arrived by car, probably with their suitcases so they could settle into their rooms at the Santa Marta residence, made available to them starting this morning. Cardinals have until tomorrow morning to move in.

In recent days, all the usual occupants of the two houses of Saint Martha's – the old and the new – have had to leave the premises, which have been restructured and secured to accommodate the 133 cardinals who will vote for the election of Pope Francis' successor.

Only suite 201 – the apartment of the deceased pontiff – remains unoccupied. It remains sealed until the election of the new pope, who if he chooses will be able to take up residence there in the first days of his pontificate. He will also visit the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, which were also sealed after Francis' death on April 21, and may choose to move there.

Around 100 people, including clergy and lay people, who will be involved in the logistical, security, and spiritual aspects of the conclave, took an oath on the afternoon of May 5 in the Pauline Chapel to guarantee the total secrecy of the deliberations.

The cardinal electors will leave their cell phones turned off at the Santa Marta residence and will not be able to retrieve them until the conclave is over.

Cardinals over the age of 80 remain free to move about, but they will spend these days in spiritual union with the cardinal electors, explained Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, during a press briefing on Monday evening.