Day three of preparations

The Fourth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals took place this morning from 9:30am until 12:40pm in the Synod Hall. It began with the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours.

HIs Em., Walter Cardinal Kasper

There were 153 cardinals present. Four additional cardinals who newly arrived were sworn in: Cardinal Antonios Naguib, patriarch emeritus of Alexandria, Egypt; Cardinal Karl Lehmann, bishop of Mainz, Germany; Cardinal John Tong Hon, bishop of Hong Kong, China; and Cardinal Friedrich Wetter, archbishop emeritus of Munich, Germany. As these last three are Cardinal electors, the total number of Cardinal electors now present is 113. There are only two more Cardinal electors who are still expected.

Cardinal Coccopalmerio

In the spirit of fraternity enjoyed by the prelates gathered in Rome, the Cardinal Dean wished a happy birthday to three of the Cardinal fathers present: Cardinal Walter Kasper, who celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday; Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, who celebrates his 75th birthday today; and Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval, C.SS.R., who will celebrate his 77th birthday tomorrow.

Card. Sandoval

During the course of the morning there were 18 speeches given (bringing the total number of addresses given to date to 51), which touched upon issues related to the following areas:

• the Church in the world today and the need for the New Evangelization;
• the Holy See, the Dicasteries, and relations with bishops; and
• the expectations for and a profile of the future Pope.

Speakers were invited to limit their addresses, if possible, to five minutes, with a signal given when the period of five minutes had elapsed in order that each speaker might regulate his time.

It was decided that tomorrow (Thursday), a Congregation will take place at the customary time (9:30am to 12:40pm) and a second Congregation will also be held in the afternoon, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.

The Altar of the Chair, behind the Baldachino in St. Peter's Basilica

The Cardinal Fathers and all those involved with the preparatory Congregations were invited to take part, if possible, in the prayer to be held this afternoon at the Altar of the Cathedra beginning at 5:00pm and presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica.  The moment of prayer will include the recitation of the Rosary, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a short period of adoration, Vespers, and Eucharistic Benediction.