The general congregation of cardinals resumes for a discussion on the future of the Church in view of the Conclave . There are 252 present , including those who will not participate due to age limits or other reasons.
While this morning the firefighters have installed the chimney for smoking on the roof of the Sistina. Inside the chapel, instead, the cast iron stoves have been brought where the cards will be burned, and today the tests begin.
Yesterday afternoon the Novendiali mass was held presided over by the Argentine Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez who recalled, on the May Day celebration dedicated to workers, how Francis reiterated, during his pontificate, the need to guarantee dignified work for all. Then he recalled Bergoglio as a great worker, until the end, even with the little strength he had in recent times.
With a bit of irony, just the kind Bergoglio loved, Fernandez added: " We can't take him as an example, because he never took a few days off . In Buenos Aires, in the summer, if you didn't find a priest you definitely found him. When he was in Argentina he never went out to dinner, to the theater, for a walk or to see a movie, he never took a day off. Instead, we, normal beings, couldn't resist. But his life is an incentive to live our work generously."
Meanwhile, a new development has emerged regarding the manner in which the Cardinal Emeritus of Sarajevo, Vinko Puljic, will participate in the conclave. He assures that he will enter the Sistine Chapel like everyone else and that he will vote there, and not from Casa Santa Marta, as had been said due to his health conditions . "I need help to enter the Sistine Chapel but I think that is not a problem. With help I will enter the Sistine Chapel," the cardinal reiterated.
(Unioneonline/vl)
