Conclave to begin next week

At the time of writing, the Vatican's Press Office has not yet issued official word, but ZENIT, the online 'zine which is usually quite accurate is already reporting that the Cardinals have decided (probably as of their second meeting today) that the Conclave to elect the next Successor of Peter will begin on Tuesday of next week, March 12.

Apparently, a Mass pro eligendo Romano Pontifice (literally a Mass for the election of the Roman Pontiff) will be celebrated on Tuesday morning in the Vatican Basilica, and afterward, the Cardinal electors will enter the Conclave.

Rev. Frederico Lombardi, SJ

The surprise announcement of Pope Benedict's intention to renounce the Petrine Office, and all of the subsequent activity which has taken place in the Vatican in these past weeks has certainly put the spotlight on the little sovereign State of Vatican City.  Onlookers throughout the world have been privileged to get glimpses of the lives of some of those who have been involved in this transition.  In a way which is not often made public, many are able to understand and appreciate the fact that those who live and work in the Vatican are human, and that the relationships that are cultivated there (as anywhere else in the world) are strengthened by trust and by gestures of kindness and generosity.

In a gesture which was aplauded by the journalists gathered at this afternoon's Press conference, Father Frederico Lombardi, SJ, the official spokesman for the Vatican Press Office began the meeting by presenting a bouquet of flowers to one of the female journalists present while greeting all women who were present at the Press conference on the occasion of International Women's Day.

More details about the upcoming Conclave will be published as they become available.