On the first day of Sede Vacante, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, has sent out a letter summoning the cardinals to the first General Congregation, which will begin on Monday, March 4th at the Synod of Bishops Hall. A second General Congregation will take place in the afternoon.

In conformity with the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, the General Congregations are held prior to the beginning of the conclave. The constitution states that “all cardinals who are not legitimately impeded must attend the General Congregations, once they have been informed of the vacancy of the Apostolic See.”

Citing no. 19 of the Apostolic Constitution, Cardinal Sodano stated that as Dean of the College of Cardinals, he is performing his duty to communicate officially to "the news of the vacancy of the Apostolic See due to the resignation presented by Pope Benedict XVI, and effective since yesterday evening, February 28, at 8:00 pm in Rome.”

The Dean of the College of Cardinals went on to inform the Cardinals of the date, place and time of the first congregation on Monday.

“The General Congregations will then continue regularly, until the complete number of Cardinal electors has been reached and the College of Cardinals then decides the date of entrance into Conclave of those Cardinal electors as prescribed by the recent Motu Proprio of this past 22 February concerning some changes to the rules regarding the election of the Roman Pontiff,” the letter continued.

During a press briefing today, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, said that there is no information yet as to how many cardinals are present in Rome at the moment because many are still arriving. Fr. Lombardi also stated that it is highly unlikely that a date on the start of the conclave will be announced after Monday’s meetings.



full text of Cardinal Sodano's letter

Lord Cardinal,

Analogously to what is prescribed by the Apostolic Constitution "Universi dominici gregis" of February 22, 1996 at no. 19, for the case of death of the Sovereign Pontiff, I perform my duty to communicate officially to Your Eminence the news of the vacancy of the Apostolic See due to the resignation presented by Pope Benedict XVI, and effective since yesterday evening, February 28, at 8:00 pm in Rome.

In communicating the foregoing, I fulfill my duty to convoke Your Eminence to the first of the General Congregations of the College of Cardinals, to be held Monday, March 4 at 9:30 am in Paul VI Hall, in the room of the Synod of Bishops.

The General Congregations will then continue regularly, until the complete number of Cardinal electors has been reached and the College of Cardinals then decides the date of entrance into Conclave of those Cardinal electors as prescribed by the recent Motu Proprio of this past 22 February concerning some changes to the rules regarding the election of the Roman Pontiff.

For my part I am pleased to take this opportunity to extend my fraternal greetings.


Cordially in Domino,

+ Angelo Card. Sodano

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/cardinal-sodano-s-letter-to-cardinals

Journey mercies to every one of them traveling!

striktlymi: Journey mercies to every one of them traveling!

amen

when will the eletion begin?

IKO1:
when will the eletion begin?

they haven't even set d date for the conclave. The congregation begins on monday, when d complete number of cardinal elector have arrived rome then they will set the date for conclave.

Ubenedictus: they haven't even set d date for the conclave. The congregation begins on monday, when d complete number of cardinal elector have arrived rome then they will set the date for conclave.

tank u my dear may God continu to give more wisdom to defend the mother church

IKO1:
tank u my dear may God continu to give more wisdom to defend the mother church

amen and you too.

this particular election is too high profile and too much in the public eye [a bit more than previous elections].

i think the cardinals may be under some pressure at this time.

tpia@:
this particular election is too high profile and too much in the public eye [a bit more than previous elections].

i think the cardinals may be under some pressure at this time.

inasmuch nobody is forcing anybody down the cardinals throat, d pressure is just ok.

frosbel:
There is ONLY one Church and ONE Head , The Body of Christ and the Lord Jesus who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as it's HEAD.

amen!!

Can I throw my hat in the ring to be elected Pope too?

Heehehe, proof that christians don't need atheists to derail christian threads..

Enjoy yourselves, thou confused children and followers of one christ.

Mother church ko, foster church ni...

Jesus I know .. please who is the pope again

Kamsy10: Don't mind them, Mother church my FOOT.

There is ONLY one Church and ONE Head , The Body of Christ and the Lord Jesus who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as it's HEAD.

[b][/b]
catholic church remains the mother church with Christ as her head. A bitter truth you just have to live with.
Glory to Jesus!!

Honor to Mary

As they re coming together I pray God shud give dem wisdom n strenght and remove gay spirit among dem IJN

Kamsy10: Don't mind them, Mother church my FOOT.

There is ONLY one Church and ONE Head , The Body of Christ and the Lord Jesus who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as it's HEAD.

[b][/b]





catholic church remains the mother church with Christ as her head. A bitter truth you just have to live with.
Let the will of God be done in this election.
Glory to Jesus!!

Honour to Mary my brother

words

Kamsy10:

No matter how you feel about it. It doesn't change the fact the it is the mother church.
People like me that didn't grow up in Lagos, Abuja or Portharcourt would not have bn priviledged to hear the gospel at all cos your new millenium pastor is only planting his church all over the cities and outside the nigeria for obvious reasons. Little do I wonder why private jets are a huge necessity in the midst of poverty stricken masses that feed on less than 2dollars a day.
There will be so many surprises on the last day. That's one thing am sure of

amen

Kamsy10: Don't mind them, Mother church my FOOT.

There is ONLY one Church and ONE Head , The Body of Christ and the Lord Jesus who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as it's HEAD.

[b][/b]





catholic church remains the mother church with Christ as her head. A bitter truth you just have to live with.
Let the will of God be done in this election.
Glory to Jesus!!

wich time catholic become anglican wey dey gay.

my friend shawap there b4 i conc u

chibaba1m: As they re coming together I pray God shud give dem wisdom n strenght and remove gay spirit among dem IJN