CARDINAL George Pell of Sydney will be the only Australian in the conclave to choose the next pope.
Two other Australian cardinals, Edward Cassidy and Edward Clancy, are over the age of 80 and therefore unable to vote.
Cardinal Cassidy decided not to travel to Rome for the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
He said he made the decision in light of the timeframe for the requiem Mass.
But he was part of the solemn Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on April 5, along with Cardinal Clancy.
Cardinal Cassidy had a close history with the pontiff.
‘I saw him nearly every day for two years,’ the cardinal said.
‘He called me to Rome in 1988 to be a substitute in the Secretariat of State and I worked with him on almost a daily basis both in and out of the country for the next two years.
‘I felt very intimidated by the role, unworthy of the job, but he made me feel at home the very first day by inviting me to lunch.
‘That was the obvious charism of the man, the way he could so easily go out and meet people and make them feel welcome.’
Cardinal Clancy also decided not to travel to Rome.
He said he saw Pope John Paul II frequently during his papacy.
Cardinal Clancy said he would remember the Pope for his quiet strength and his forthright courage.
‘He was respected and admired by all, and he had a great talent in relating to youth,’ Cardinal Clancy said.
