Chicago Cardinal Preparing for Papal Conclave

Southern Illinoisan
February 11, 2013

http://thesouthern.com/news/local/state-and-regional/chicago-cardinal-preparing-for-papal-conclave/article_11fa13fe-749d-11e2-ae3d-0019bb2963f4.html

VATICAN CITY — With a few words in Latin, Pope Benedict VXI did Monday what no pope has done in more than half a millennium, announcing his re… Read more

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago plans on attending his second papal conclave next month.

Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he would resign Feb. 28, becoming the first pope in 600 years to step down. Cardinal George talked to reporters Monday about the expected March conclave to replace the pontiff. George previously attended the conclave in 2005 that elected Benedict after Pope John Paul II died.

George says he feels more experienced now and would spend more time asking questions and getting impressions of his fellow cardinals. The Roman Catholic Church elects a new pope from among its cardinals. George says he would make better use of his time before voting begins.

The 75-year-old George is the spiritual leader of more than 2 million Roman Catholics in the Chicago area.