Conclave to Begin Tuesday March 12th

Cardinal Dolan arrives at the Vatican for meetings March 8th
(AP photo)

After 5 days of meeting, the Cardinals announced yesterday that they will convene the Conclave to choose the next Pope on Tuesday.  The cardinals will begin Tuesday morning with a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica then in the afternoon they will enter the Sistine Chapel to begin balloting. Two thirds majority of the 115 elector cardinals is necessary to elect a pope.  The last election of this kind was in 2005 and took only 2 days to select Pope Benedict XVI.  

Today as we conclude our Novena for the conclave there is a feeling that we cannot let up on the intensity of our prayers.  Pope Benedict knew how important these days of meetings are prior to the conclave and hence said in his final address to the Cardinals before leaving the Vatican February 28th,

“I will continue to be close to you the next few days in prayer that you may be full of the Holy Spirit in the election of the new Pope.  May the Lord show you what He wants from you.  Among you is the next Pope.”

Thank you to all who joined us for this novena for the conclave.  Please continue to offer up rosaries and prayers that the cardinals may be covered with spiritual protection and Divine Guidance through this whole process.