VATICAN CITY (CBS) – The day before the papal conclave begins two Americans reportedly remain as top candidates to become the next pope.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Joe Mathieu reports from The Vatican Download: joemathieumonday.mp3
Boston Archbishop Cardinal Sean O’Malley and Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York continue to be mentioned, even though there’s no clear front-runner for the job.
Photos: WBZ-TV in Rome
O’Malley celebrated Mass Monday morning for the seminarians at the North American College in Rome before joining fellow cardinals in their final day of talks before the conclave.
The cardinals decided not to meet in congregation Monday afternoon.
They will move into the Vatican hotel Tuesday morning, where they will live throughout the conclave. Once it begins, the College of Cardinals will not be seen in public again until a new pope is elected.
About 100 people assisting them – cooks, doctors, nurses and security – will take an oath of secrecy Monday. They will be with the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel for the voting. Thirty doors in the chapel will be sealed Tuesday to keep everyone else out.
Vatican officials say it is possible the cardinals may decide not to vote Tuesday, but if they do, it would be late in the day.
The next pope needs 77 out of 115 votes to be elected.
