- CONCLAVE TO START AFTERNOON OF APRIL 18
- A MILLION PEOPLE VIEW POPE FROM MONDAY TO TUESDAY EVENING
- VATICAN MUSEUMS AND SISTINE CHAPEL CLOSED TO PUBLIC
- YOUNG PEOPLE TO HOLD PRAYER VIGIL FOR JOHN PAUL II APRIL 7
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CONCLAVE TO START AFTERNOON OF APRIL 18
Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin  Navarro-Valls gave a briefing 
early this afternoon on the fourth General Congregation of cardinals 
that was held this morning in the Vatican, during which he announced 
that the conclave to elect the successor of John Paul II will start 
the afternoon of Monday, April 18.
 
He said that "the Fourth General Congregations of Cardinals was held 
this morning in the New Synod Hall in the Vatican,  beginning at 10 a.m.
 
"There were 116 cardinals present, 31 of whom are newly arrived, who 
swore their prescribed oath. The number of  cardinals present in Rome 
at this moment is 122.

"In today's general congregation the cardinals were informed of both 
the official delegations coming from throughout the world for the funeral 
of the Holy Father on Friday morning, and the delegations from diverse 
Christian denominations and from other religions.
 
"The cardinals also considered several particular questions relative 
to the funeral Mass of the Holy Father and the celebrations of the 
'novendiali', (nine official days of mourning with a Mass each day for 
the Holy Father) in particular for the 'cappelle papali' of Saturday, 
April 9, Tuesday, April 12 and Saturday, April 16.
 
"Also taken into consideration was the request made by many parties to 
bring the remains of the Holy Father - on Friday, April 8, following 
the funeral Mass but before burial - to St. John Lateran Basilica to 
allow for veneration by the Roman faithful and others who were unable 
to come to St. Peter's Basilica. After attentively studying the matter 
it was concluded that this hypothesis was not technically possible. 
Therefore, as pre-announced, the burial in the Vatican Grottoes will 
take place immediately after the funeral Mass.
 
"The Will of the Holy Father was read and it was decided to publish 
it in its entirety tomorrow in the original Polish language and in an 
Italian translation.
 
"The date for the start of the conclave was set for Monday, April 18. 
In the morning there will be the votive Mass 'pro eligendo papa' in the 
Vatican Basilica. In early afternoon the cardinals will enter into conclave 
in the Sistine Chapel.

"I can confirm that the Holy Father John Paul II, before his death, did 
not communicate the name of the cardinal reserved 'in pectore' in the 
consistory of October 2003. Therefore, this is no longer a question."
 
Journalists asked if it would be possible for them to see the Sistine 
Chapel before the start of the conclave and Navarro-Valls responded by 
noting that, as there are 3,500 accredited journalists, this would be 
logistically impossible. He said that a video would be shown to them, 
featuring all the sites in the Vatican associated with a conclave.

A MILLION PEOPLE VIEW POPE FROM MONDAY TO TUESDAY EVENING
 According to a communiqué released by the Italian Civil Protection 
Department, and by the local and police authorities of the city of 
Rome, from Monday evening to Tuesday evening, one million people 
passed through St Peter's Basilica to pay their homage to the mortal 
remains of John Paul II. At least 600,000 people are expected today. 
Every hour between 15,000 and 18,000 faithful file in front of the 
Holy Father's body.

VATICAN MUSEUMS AND SISTINE CHAPEL CLOSED TO PUBLIC
According to a communique made public yesterday afternoon, on Friday 
April 8 for the funeral of John Paul II, the Vatican Museums will 
remain closed to the public. From Thursday April 7, to the end of 
the conclave, the Sistine Chapel will also be closed to the public. 
Furthermore, all guided tours of the Vatican Gardens are suspended.
 
YOUNG PEOPLE TO HOLD PRAYER VIGIL FOR JOHN PAUL II APRIL 7
On Thursday April 7 at 9 p.m., the vigil of John Paul II's funeral, 
young people are invited to a prayer vigil at St. John Lateran Basilica, 
the cathedral church of the Holy Father, the bishop of Rome. Following 
the vigil a silent candelight procession, led by the cross of World Youth 
Day, will proceed through the streets of Rome to the Circus Maximus.
 
All young people living in Rome and those who have come from 
throughout the world to pay their final respects to John Paul II  
and attend the funeral are invited. Held on the theme "Be not afraid," 
the vigil will be presided over by Msgr. Giuseppe Betori, secretary 
general of the Italian Episcopal Conference. The prayers for John 
Paul II will commemorate the moments lived with him during World 
Youth Days, a celebration he established 20 years ago.
 
St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Agnese in Piazza Navona will 
remain open until midnight on Thursday for pilgrims who wish to pray 
and to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. That same evening there 
will also be a prayer vigil for young people at St. Agnese.

Source: Vatican Information Service

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