VATICAN CITY
Vatican Insider
At a press briefing this morning, Fr. Federico Lombardi provided some updates and clarified a few things. The start date for the Conclave has not yet been decided
Alessandro Speciale
Vatican City
“Profound and and positive” is how Vatican spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi described Pope Benedict XVI’s spirit in these, his last days as Pope. Benedict XVI sees this period as a time for “deep reflection and common spiritual searching, inviting the Church to adopt this outlook too during this time.” Fr. Lombardi was keen to stress this in light of fresh news claiming that dossiers and a poisonous atmosphere in the Vatican are what prompted the Pope to resign.
The director of the Vatican Press Office said he did not wish to “comment, deny or confirm what is being said on the subject.” Today, major Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, leaked what it claims is the content of the report – on the findings of the Vatileaks investigation – which Cardinals Julian Herranz, Salvatore De Giorgi and Josef Tomko delivered to the Pope a few months ago. “The Commission did its job, delivering the report directly to the Holy Father who had asked for it,” Fr. Lombardi said. “We should not be influenced by all the inferences, fantasies and opinions that are expressed on this issue and don’t expect the three cardinals to give interviews either, because they have agreed not to respond to questions or hand out information on this subject.”
In a press conference this morning, the Vatican spokesman stressed the impossibility of knowing the exact date of the start of the Conclave. “Whether a motu proprio issued or not, it is the cardinals who will decide on the start date for the Conclave, in a General Congregation which will meet during the sede vacante period.” “No one – the Jesuit spokesman underlined – no matter how authoritative a position they hold, can say for the time being when the Conclave will start.”
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