Cardinals arrive for pre-conclave talks
- 11 years ago
(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)
Nearly 150 Cardinals arrived at the Vatican on Wednesday (March 6) for the third day of preliminary meetings, known as "general congregations", to sketch a profile for the next pope following the shock abdication of Pope Benedict last month.
Under Church law they have until March 20 to start a conclave to choose a new pope from among 115 of them who are under the age of 80, but they can decide to start it earlier.
While many observers had expected the conclave to begin as early as the past Sunday (March 3), there have been increasing indications that the cardinals may need more time to ponder who among them might be best to lead a church beset by crises.
Nearly 150 Cardinals arrived at the Vatican on Wednesday (March 6) for the third day of preliminary meetings, known as "general congregations", to sketch a profile for the next pope following the shock abdication of Pope Benedict last month.
Under Church law they have until March 20 to start a conclave to choose a new pope from among 115 of them who are under the age of 80, but they can decide to start it earlier.
While many observers had expected the conclave to begin as early as the past Sunday (March 3), there have been increasing indications that the cardinals may need more time to ponder who among them might be best to lead a church beset by crises.