Cardinals Arrive at Vatican Before Papal Conclave
March 11, 2013
by VOA News
Catholic cardinals at the Vatican gathered for their last pre-conclave talks Monday morning before shutting themselves into the Sistine Chapel to elect a successor to Pope Benedict.
The conclave is due to begin Tuesday and will involve all 115 cardinal-electors. They are expected to vote until one man receives at least a two-thirds majority, or 77 votes. Cardinals must be under 80 to vote.
Vatican officials on Monday were preparing for the announcement of the new pontiff. Curtains could be seen hanging on the balcony at the front of St. Peter's Basilica, where the newly elected pope will address crowds for the first time.
The centuries-old tradition of choosing the new leader of the world's Catholics is cloaked in secrecy, and no clear favorite has emerged to take the helm of the troubled Church.
Some reports are speculating that Milan Archbishop Angelo Scola and Brazilian Pedro Odilo Scherer are top contenders. Others are pointing to Cardinal Timothy Dolon of New York and Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston.
Over the past several days the Cardinals have been holding closed-door meetings in Rome to discuss the challenges that the next pope will face and vet possible candidates for the post.
Also under discussion was the series of child sex abuse incidents by priests, which has shaken confidence in the church in recent years.
Pope Benedict shocked the world last month when after eight years in office he became the first Roman Catholic Church leader in 600 years to step down voluntarily.
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