VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In the week since Pope Francis was entombed at St. Mary Major, cardinals arriving in Rome to take part in the conclave that will decide his successor have been friendly if vague with the press. But as the Wednesday (May 7) start to the conclave draws closer, cardinals who earlier stopped to chat noncommittally to reporters as they came and went from pre-conclave meetings have become more hesitant to talk, even declining to return a greeting.
“Right now, everything is secret,” a rare exception, Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana, told RNS. “It’s the moment for prayers right now.”
The mood in Rome has grown more sober as the number of prelates present nears the full complement of cardinal electors. The Vatican said on Saturday that 177 cardinals in all were present for the day’s meeting, including 127 of the expected 133 cardinals who are younger than 80, eligible to vote in the conclave and healthy enough to come to Rome.
The atmosphere has also grown tense as rumors about a short conclave have waned and the electors have talked less of consensus. In a diverse and relatively new College of Cardinals, some prelates have seemingly become focused on candidates they know well. Meanwhile, the format o …