“We are in harmony among us, there is no problem in the conclave. All bishops are fineall the cardinals are fine, ”said Cardinal Sursudanés Stephen Mulla, 61, in the Plaza de San Pedro, after trying to avoid the journalist at the exit of the Classroom Paul VI of the Vatican, where the sloping ones meet.
The Argentine Vicente Bokalic Iglic was also very concise, who when asked about his preparation to enter the Sistine Chapel next Wednesday, just replied: “On the way.”
At the exit of the eighth congregation this Friday, after Thursday, May 1, they did not meet, Some of those over 80 who will not participate in the vote briefly agreed to speak with the media.
Among them, Colombian cardinal Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal, who at 83 will not enter the Sistine, but commented that the environment in the general congregations that are held these days in the Vatican is excellent, in addition to confirming that they have talked about the role of women in the church.
“They are the vast majority of the Church, they are our future, We want them so much and they are so beautiful. Pope Francis took some very important steps that will be followed, surely, I think. It is logic, and they will give a lot of benefit to the Church, ”he said.
On the profile of the next Pope, Jiménez said that he will be a pontificate “more of continuity than anything else”, and confirmed that, although he will not participate in the vote, that is the trend he would prefer. “The Church cultivates continuity. The Church is not from jumps,” he said.
Jiménez Carvajal also stressed the importance of unity: “Christ wanted the Church to always be one and said: ‘Rehend a lot to make the church one and have no divisions.’ The divisions weaken us. Unity makes us strong. ”
Regarding the possible candidates, the Colombian cardinal stressed that the variety of names is a good symptom: “How good there are enough names, because that means there may be many people who could help do a very good task to the new Pope.”
On the nationality of the next pontiff or the profile of the candidates, not even the non -elector cardinals dare to make conjectures: “I would not know how to tell you. I have never heard a word on this issue,” insisted the purple Colombian.
The Salvadoran Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez also answered questions from the journalists, who reiterated his prognosis that the conclave will be brief and will last between two and three days.
“It is impressive to see the periphery in the Sistine Chapel: there are so many nationalities inside. All the suffering of the people of the periphery is present within the conclave. It is something we have never lived before and that can give us very interesting surprises,” said the cardinal, who will not participate in the election for being 82 years.
To read more: conclave: how the secret election of the next Pope is celebrated and from what date
The conclave will be the most international to date, with 133 cardinals on behalf of 70 different countries of the five continents.
When asked about the possibility that an Italian Pope is chosen, he replied simply: “Everything is possible. God is the god of surprises. In fact, Francisco was a surprise. He came from the end of the world.” EFE