Cardinals: Pray for us
2005-04-11 22:49
Vatican City - Roman Catholic cardinals meeting in Rome on Monday to prepare their secret conclave to elect a new pope asked for the prayers of the faithful to help them in reaching the right decision.
The cardinals, who have imposed a total news blackout on their discussions, have called on "the people of God to accompany us with fervent prayers for the Holy Spirit to assist the cardinal electors", said the Vatican spokesperson.
The 115 cardinals under the age of 80 were expected to enter the secret conclave in the Sistine chapel on the afternoon of April 18.
The 134 cardinals present in Rome, including those over 80 not allowed to vote, began their seventh preparatory meeting by turning to a discussion of the concrete problems facing the Church.
Earlier meetings were devoted to routine administrative problems.
- AFP