New pope profile clearer as common themes emerge

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

While no date has yet been set for the Conclave to elect the new pope, the profile of who might be pope is becoming more clear according to Vatican Spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi.

At Wednesday’s general congregations meetings, Cardinals’ focussed their attention on common themes and issues they think a new pope will need to take notice of.

Lombadi told media that speakers at Wednesday’s general congregations focussed the meeting’s attention on,

the Church in the world,
the needs of New Evangelisation,
the Vatican and its organisation and
the Vatican’s relations with local churches and bishops.

Discussion on these topics helps to make the new pope’s profile more clear, he said.

Lombardi confirmed that so far there have been at total of 51 interventions, and due to the large number of Cardinals wanting to talk, that Cardinals have been asked to limit their speeches to 5 minutes.

However, Lombardi added, a Cardinal could speak longer should he wish; the microphone would not be switched off.

Suggesting there is considerable interest in setting the agenda for electing the new pope, Lombardi also noted the Cardinals reversing their previous decision to meet only in the mornings and have now decided to meet both mornings and afternoons.

Sources