Mum's the Word: Cardinals Let on Little to Journalists after Benedict Xvi's Last General Audience

Vatican Insider
February 28, 2013

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/conclave-22717/

Mum's the word: Cardinals are not letting on much about upcoming Conclave

There were about seventy cardinals present at St. Peter’s for this morning’s General Audience. Mahony, Pell, Wuerl and Marx were all there but did not issue many comments to the press

Cardinal Roger Mahony seems seraphic despite the accusations against him for covering up sexual crimes in the Church. He was one of the first to appear in the crowd that was pouring out of St. Peter’s Square after Benedict XVI’s last General Audience today. Journalists recognised him, went after him and tried asking him some questions. “God bless you!” the cardinal responded, smiling, and then slipped away.

Seventy out of the 208 cardinals were present in St. Peter’s Square this morning. There were lots of Curia members and some papabili present, but also a number of important absences. The papacy becomes vacant at 8 pm on 28 February and many of the 115 cardinal electors have still not arrived in Rome. Nearer the time of the Conclave, cardinals will stay inside the Vatican, in the Domus Sanctæ Marthæ. Before then, they will be staying in various parts of Rome.

Imposing Australian archbishop, George Pell, gives a few half answers to journalists. Will it be a long Conclave? “Who knows, I doubt it, but I don’t know.” Will it begin before 15 March? “Maybe a bit before, maybe.” There are “obviously” no splits in College of Cardinals. Will the next Pope be Italian? “The best cardinal will be the next Pope!” Will it be you? “No! It is possible an Italian may be chosen…”

Jean-Pierre Ricard from Bordeaux is more cautious. Will the Conclave be brought forward? “The general congregations will begin next Monday but I don’t know what the time schedule will be exactly, I have no specific information.” Is the College divided? “I have just arrived; I don’t have much information on this…”

Washington’s Donald Wuerl appears calm: “It is wonderful to see so many people from all across the world showing the Pope their affection.” Will the Conclave be held before 15 March? “I have no way of knowing this, we’ll just have to wait and see.” One Italian journalist asks him if the next Pope will be Italian. He answers in Italian: “Who knows, all this is in the hands of the Lord.” Will it be a South American? “Divine Providence has no limits…”

Munich’s Reinhard Marx darts through the square, dismissing journalists’ questions with a simple “good day!”

Opus Dei cardinal, Julian Herranz, head of the Vatileaks inquiry commission also hurries through St. Peter’s Square. Journalists run after him and manage to catch up with him: Will any of the cardinals ask him questions about the famous Vatileaks dossier? “No comment, no comment,” he repeats, smiling, and walks on. The Pope spoke of the Gospel as purifying. Is this the line taken by this papacy? Does it offer any indication for the future? “It is the line followed by every Christian. Everyone, all those who are baptised must try every day to be better.”