The 12th and – barring unforeseen circumstances – final general congregation of cardinals before the conclave began on Tuesday, May 6, in the morning, in the Synod Hall. With just a few hours to go before the conclave, which will open on May 7 at 4:30 p.m. in the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals were discreet with the press.
Cardinals are beginning to move into their rooms at Santa Marta, and entering into a deeper silence. The hours are ticking.
Faced with even more journalists than the day before, the cardinals were more evasive than on previous days. A large number of police officers, some in plain clothes, were present to escort the cardinals who arrived on foot and keep them away from the swarm of cameras. Some were discreetly escorted through the colonnades of St. Peter's Basilica to avoid interaction with the press.
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.
“The Church needs a holy successor who can help the world rediscover Christ and promote the Gospel,” the bishop of Stockholm told I.MEDIA, pointing to the importance of "promoting peace."
“I'm a little tired, but I'm fine,” assured the 75-year-old Carmelite, who is himself on many lists of papabili.
Cardinals soon to be cut off from the world
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.
