Fr. Federico Lombardi had announced that the Cardinals are voting and therefore in the process of deciding the date of the start of the Conclave, most likely in an additional afternoon session, the Eighth General Congregation, on Friday late afternoon today.

The Cardinals had decided in the Sixth General Congregation meeting last evening (Thursday) that there would be two General Congregation sessions today (Friday) in the morning (Seventh) and the afternoon (Eighth), when the Cardinals likely will vote on the date of the start of the Conclave.

The news of the date of the Conclave, if there is any decision reached by today, will be released shortly at Friday evening, 8 March 2013 after 7 pm.