Conclave to begin on Tue 2013 March 12th

The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals held on Friday evening has decided that the Conclave will begin on Tuesday, 12 March 2013, the Vatican’s Press Office has said. A “pro eligendo Romano Pontifice” Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica in the morning. In the afternoon the cardinals will enter into the Conclave.
There were 18 interventions during Friday morning’s congregation, bringing the total number of interventions so far to over a hundred, with some of the cardinals having spoken more than once. 

The general themes of Friday’s interventions touched upon issues such as inter-religious dialogue, the current culture, bioethics, justice in the world and the importance of preaching Christianity and the love and mercy of God. Only one General Congregation is scheduled for Saturday, with Sunday left free for cardinals to visit and pray at their titular churches. 

After Pope Benedict XVI stepped down on Feb. 28, the Catholic Church is in “Sede Vacante” or “Empty See”, until his successor is elected. Currently, the body of cardinals worldwide, known as the College of Cardinals stands at 207, of whom 117 are below 80 years of age and hence are eligible to vote for a new Pope. Two of the cardinal electors had earlier declared they would not participate in the upcoming conclave, which the College of Cardinals accepted on Friday. Hence only 115 cardinals will vote for the new Pope.