Cardinals to surrender communication devices on May 6 before conclave, says David

Cardinal electors will arrive at Santa Martha and surrender their communication devices on Tuesday, May 6, in preparation for the conclave, where the new pope will be chosen.

Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David made the announcement Monday evening on his Facebook page.

“We will be checking in at Santa Martha starting tomorrow, May 6, and surrendering all our communications gadgets to fully dispose ourselves spiritually for the task of identifying the new Pope who will lead the universal Church,” David said.

The conclave will begin on Wednesday, May 7, with a Eucharistic celebration.

“How long before the white smoke comes out? That will be up to the Lord,” David said.

In a Reuters report, Salvadoran Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez confidently predicted that the conclave would be a “maximum three days.”

The Reuters report also noted that the average length of the last 10 conclaves was 3.2 days, and none went on for more than five.

The last two elections, when Pope Benedict (2005) and Pope Francis (2013) emerged, were wrapped up in just two days. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News