As cardinals met for their first ‘general congregation’ meeting, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago dismissed media speculation that a date has been set for the start of the conclave to elect a new pope.
Yesterday, before the cardinals met, media were reporting March 11 to be the conclave’s start, however George told CBS Chicago that it is still not clear when the conclave will begin.
Saying, while his personal preference is to be back in Chicago for Holy Week, “Someone quoted St. Thomas of Aquinas, where he said you should very slow in deliberation, and then very quick in decision making,” he said.
In another blow to a definite March 11 conclave date, Vatican Spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi revealed yesterday that 12 Cardinal electors have still to arrive in Rome.
Lombardi said many of those still absent are expected to arrive Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning at the latest.
Those yet to arrive are: Cardinals Naguib, Rai, Meisner, Rouco Varela, Pham, Grocholweski, Sarr, Nycz, Woelki, Duka, Lehmann and Tong.
Traditionally the conclave to elect a new pope is held between 15 and 20 days after a pope dies, however just days before he resigned, Pope Benedict XVI left the possibility of bringing the conclave forward to the College of Cardinals, however in order for this to happen, all voting cardinals need to be present.
As the cardinals in Rome gathered for their first general congregation meeting, Lombardi described the early stages of the meeting as prayerful, functional and constructive.
“The congregation was positive, serene and promising of an intense discussion of needs of church in days to come”, he said.
Sources