Vatican City, Apr 6, 2005 / 22:00 pm
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.