(AGI) - Vatican, April 16 - Today the last cardinals' general congregation takes place before the start of the Conclave in which they have to elect the new pontiff. All the cardinals, including those who are not eligible to vote, have been busy conducting a series of meetings during these past two weeks that have focused on the day to day running of the Vatican state and the church, prior to John Paul II's successor being chosen. This is in accordance with the "Universi Dominici Gregis" written by the late Pope himself in 1996. As pointed out in the daily briefings by the Holy See's chief press officer, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, during these past few days the cardinals have been deliberating above all the situation in the world and the church, analysing the most important issues in the congregations and the Roman Curia's Pontiff's Council. Later on in the morning, at the end of the last meeting among the cardinals' collegiate, Navarro-Valls will give another press briefing. From tomorrow evening the cardinals who are voting will have to move into their special accommodation in Saint Martha's House and stay there for the entire duration of the Conclave until the mass that will be said to install the new Pope. (AGI) .
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