CV NEWS FEED // The Vatican press office announced that the cardinals currently present in Rome held a 90-minute general congregation Wednesday afternoon, most likely to discuss matters related to the funeral of Pope Francis, which is scheduled for Saturday.
At 5 p.m. Rome time, 103 cardinals gathered in the new Synod Hall, concluding their session at 6:30 p.m. The next general congregation is scheduled for Thursday at 9 a.m. local time, in the same location.
CatholicVote briefly spoke with Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, the 82-year-old archbishop emeritus of Mexico City, who emphasized that the details of the proceedings remain strictly confidential. He noted, however, that the discussions thus far have been “mostly procedural,” as many cardinals from around the world have yet to arrive in Rome.
The current College of Cardinals comprises 252 members, including a record 135 electors.
All cardinals, including non-electors, are called to participate in the congregations. However, several are expected to be absent due to health or other personal circumstances.
Among the notable absences is Cardinal Vinko Puljić, archbishop emeritus of Sarajevo, who, despite being a cardinal elector, recently disclosed in an interview with Herceg-Bosna Television that he will not be traveling to Rome for the conclave due to poor health.
Created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II at the age of 49 — then the youngest in the world — Cardinal Puljić was a close ally of both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
Another possible absence is that of Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, 91, a vocal critic of the current agreement between China and the Holy See.
Though willing to participate in the general congregations, Cardinal Zen has not yet been granted permission to travel by the Chinese government.
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