Card. Thomas Collins: Before, during and after the Conclave

As the Conclave begins

The world is watching Rome and the Roman Catholic Church, only as it does it the big moments. The attention that was riveted instantly on the papacy when Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement has only intensified over the subsequent weeks. Now it’s in overdrive, as the College of Cardinals enters the Conclave to elect a new pope.

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Inside the conclave

Catholic News Service 

All About Cardinals

Cardinals are the pope’s close advisers in the governance of the Church and are chosen exclusively by him. Aside from their regular duties as archbishops or bishops in charge of dioceses or leaders of the Roman Curia, Cardinals provide advice and counsel to the pope, serve as caretakers of the Church after a pope dies, and above all, gather together in a conclave to choose the next Bishop of Rome.