AMERICA/PERÚ - On Monday 18 April as the conclave opens in the Vatican, Peruvian Catholics in Lima will start uninterrupted prayers to ask God to enlighten and assist the college of Cardinals called to elect the successor of Pope John Paul II

Lima (Fides Service) - Aware of the power of prayer and in view of the great responsibility of the College of Cardinals, on Monday 18 April as the conclave opens with Mass in St Peter’s in Rome, Catholics in Lima the capital of Peru will start uninterrupted prayer to ask God to enlighten and assist the Cardinals as they pray and vote for a new Vicar of Christ on earth. The prayers will begin at 7pm local time with Mass in Lima’s cathedral attended by delegates of more than 100 parishes, movements, fraternities, religious communities in the archdiocese of Lima. With the same intention special Masses will be offered in every parish and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Rosary, a prayer so dear to the heart of the late Pope John Paul II. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 15/4/2005; righe 9, parole 125)