New Delhi, April 2
Three Cardinals from India are preparing to go to the Vatican City to elect a successor to Pope John Paul II while praying for his miraculous recovery.
Pope John Paul II, head of more than a billion Catholics in the world, has had the longest Papal reign spanning 26 years. His predecessor Pope John Paul I had died suddenly after a short reign of 31 days.
The spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India Dr Babu Joseph, told The Tribune here today that the College of Cardinals’ members, Cardinal Varkey from Cochin, Cardinal Ivan Dias from Mumbai and Cardinal Teles Phore from Ranchiare were eligible to cast their vote for the 265th successor to Saint Peter.
He said the College of Cardinals had 117 members from all continents. Members of the College of Cardinals had to be below 80 years of age.
The spokesperson said they were in constant touch with Vatican City officers.
Aware of the irreversible condition of Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals are ready to leave any time, Dr Joseph said, adding that the election of the new Pope takes place 20 days after the demise of the Pope.
He said three Cardinals from India had participated in the election of Pope John Paul II in 1978. Pope John Paul II, the second non Italian Pope, was born in Karol Wojtyla.
The spokesperson explained that the elected Pope could choose a new name he likes.
Despite news about the deteriorating condition of Pope John Paul II, believers belonging to various faiths prayed for his recovery here.
Dr Joseph said they received assurances of prayer from the Islamic and Arab world and Jewish and Hindu communities. Special prayer meetings for the good health of the Pope were held in Sacred Heart Cathedral and Catholic churches in Dwarka, Trilokpuri and Vasant Kunj.
India is home to 18 million Catholics.
