The last of the 115 cardinals who will elect the new pope has arrived in Rome. Vietnamese Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man joined his colleagues in closed-door discussions at the Vatican. His presence means a date can now be set for the conclave to choose a successor to Benedict XVI as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Benedict stepped down last month after nearly eight years in office, becoming the first pontiff to do so in 600 years.
Since Monday the elector cardinals have been holding preparatory meetings and prayers known as “general congregations” before the conclave begins. The discussions are held under an oath of secrecy, but Italian newspapers have published what they say are leaked details of the debate on problems faced by the church. Reform of the Vatican’s bureaucracy – known as the Curia – and the Vatican bank have both been on the agenda, the reports say.
On seperate messages tweeted on Twitter, Cardinal Napier and Cardinal Mahoney indicate the possibility of a conclave date set soon. Also they indicate what is being discussed between the Cardinals in their Congregations.