Vatican City, Apr 28 (EFE).- The conclave to elect the next pope will begin on May 7 in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni announced Monday.
The decision was taken on Monday by more than 180 cardinals, including over 100 electors, at the Fifth General Congregation which lasted around two hours.
During the Congregation, the cardinals who had not yet done so took the oath after the opening prayer.
Twenty cardinals spoke during the Congregation, discussing the Church, its relationship with the world, and the characteristics that the new pope should have in the face of these challenges, the spokesperson said.
Among those who spoke were Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, from Germany, Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and Frenchman Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.
On the morning of May 7, the cardinals will gather for the Mass “Pro eligendo pontífice” and in the afternoon they will go to the Sistine Chapel to begin the process of electing the new pope.
At the meeting, the topic was addressed, although no decision was made, regarding the possible participation of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, whom Francis stripped of his cardinal privileges over his involvement in a financial scandal for which he has been convicted.
Becciu claims he has the rights to enter the conclave. EFE
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