Cardinals Give No More Interviews As Conclave Decision Nears

By Mary Ann Ahern
NBC Chicago
March 6, 2013

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Cardinals-Give-No-More-Interviews-Conclave-Decision-Nears-195539581.html

“The cardinals have been told to give no more interviews,” the spokesman for Chicago's Cardinal Francis George said Wednesday.

Signs point to the cardinals getting closer to deciding on a conclave date.

Cardinal Francis George planned to brief the press Wednesday morning in Rome about the process to elect the next pope, but that media availability was abruptly canceled 90 minutes before.   

“The cardinals have been told to give no more interviews,” George's spokesman said via email.

Sister Mary Ann Walsh, director of media relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said, "concern was expressed in the General Congregation about leaks of confidential proceedings reported in Italian newspapers. As a precaution, the cardinals have agreed not to do interviews.”

The cardinals are still waiting for two cardinals – from Warsaw and Vietnam – who are expected to arrive by Thursday. The group decided to hold two meetings tomorrow, in the morning and the afternoon, indicating they may be getting closer to setting the date for the conclave.

At Wednesday's press briefing, Rev. Frederico Lombardi said the cardinals will give “some days” notice.    

Those briefing the press suggest their congregation meetings have been helpful and may lead to a shorter conclave.

 “We’re dealing with a journey,” Rev. Thomas Rosica said, noting they're “getting deeper into conversations."