American cardinals receive sendoff before conclave

ROME (WHDH) -- Before they were sequestered in the Sistine Chapel, the American cardinals staying at the North American College received a big sendoff.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley walked slowly to the bus that took him to Vatican City. He appeared to pause to take in the moment.

“He’s ready to go in and he’s ready to be part of this very momentous event which is a very important event in the life of the church,” said Terry Donilon, Archdiocese of Boston.

The North American College has been base for the group of Americans. As the cardinals said goodbye, seminarians who study at the college lined the street to show their support.

“I was right by that tree and as the car came by. All the cardinals looked out and they waved at us and they gave us their blessing. It was just an incredible moment,” said Nathan Ricci, seminarian from Providence, Rhode Island.

“We thought it would be a fun thing to do for the cardinals on the way to St. Pete’s. And you never know, one of them might not come back. One of them might be moving on to a new ministry,” said one man.

Now, thoughts turn to the conclave. Could the next pope be on that bus?

“There’s more than one American cardinals that could come out in white on the balcony of St. Peter’s a few days from now. It’s just an interesting experience to know that you saw them the last public moment when they were wearing red,” said Scot Landry, Archdiocese of Boston.