Cardinals 'aware of what awaits them' for the upcoming vote
Pope Benedict gives last Angelus to over 100,000 on Sunday
25 February, 10:40
(ANSA) - Vatican City, February 25 - The cardinals voting
in the conclave to elect the next pope are "are aware of what
awaits them, and certainly seasoned enough" to make decisions
without being influenced by "what someone writes on a blog,"
Senior Vatican Communications Adviser Greg Burke said on Monday.In the days leading up to Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, attention is increasingly focusing on the cardinals who will elect his successor.
"First let's see who will be elected and then we can talk," Burke said.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, the head of the Irish Church, Cardinal Sean Brady, and former Los Angeles archbishop Cardinal Roger Mahony have all faced calls not to attend. Benedict's eight years as pope will end on February 28 after his surprise announcement February 11 that he would be stepping down due to his failing health.
The pope gave his last Angelus address on Sunday to a crowd of over 100,000 from his window facing St Peter's square. At his address, the 85-year-old pontiff was met with calls of "Viva il Papa!" or "Long live the pope!".
"The Lord is calling me to climb the mountain, to dedicate myself to prayer and meditation," the German-born pontiff said in Italian.
"But this does not mean I am abandoning the Church. If God asks this of me, it is because I can continue to serve (the Church) with the same dedication and the same love I have shown so far...in keeping with my age and strength," he said.
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