Cardinal Sodano Invites Cardinals to Rome to Prepare for the Conclave

Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI yesterday February 28 2013, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, today March 1 2013 wrote to all cardinals inviting them to the first General Congregation. This first general congregation will begin on Monday March 4 at the Synod of Bishops. 

This Congregation in line with the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis is to be held prior to the commencement 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.” Withing this General Congregation, the Sacred College of Cardinals will choose a date for entrance into  the conclave.

Find a copy of the letter below 

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns: Matters Arising

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns: Matters Arising - By Uwakwe Chibuike MFC

Pope Benedict addressing the Cardinals on his resignation

Following the Pope’s announcement on Monday February 11 2013 that he will retire from the Papacy come February 28 2013, divergent views on the Pope’s resignation have rocked the media. According to the English translation of his speech, the 85 years old Pope said “I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry”. He continued that “In order to govern the ship of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me”.

Therefore, the aging Pontiff who has governed the Church for almost eight years declared thus: “For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is”.

Some people do not see the Pope’s resignation as a surprise because he had hinted in a book of interviews in 2010 that he might resign if he felt he was no longer able to carry out his duties. But according to the Pope’s official spokesman Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Pope’s decision to resign has left Church officials “incredulous” even though it was in full compliance with Church law. He however revealed that after his resignation, the former Pope Benedict XVI will move to a summer residence near Rome. After that, he will live in a former monastery within the Vatican territory.