More relaxed, smiling George checks in to papal 'hotel' Comforts of suite, supply of chocolate will keep him going

VATICAN CITY -- Chicago's Cardinal Francis George was smiling andseemed relaxed as he ducked into a chauffeur-driven sedan Sundayafternoon for the short ride from the seminary where he's beenstaying for two weeks to the special hotel within the walls ofVatican City where he will stay for the duration of the conclave toelect Pope John Paul II's successor.

"Thank you for your prayers," George said before his car sped awayfrom the Pontifical North American College to the Domus SanctaeMarthae, the 130-room "hotel" built by John Paul II expressly tohouse the 115 voting cardinals during the conclave.

George, 68, lucked out when the cardinals drew numbered Ping-Pong-type balls to see who would get one of the 106 two-room suites at theDomus and who would be stuck with a single room. Chicago's RomanCatholic cardinal-archbishop has a suite, his spokeswoman ColleenDolan said.

He also has a bag full of dark Italian chocolate -- his favorite -- Dolan procured for him to keep his spirits up during what could bea long conclave. "Is it enough to last six weeks?" George kiddedDolan when she gave him the chocolate Saturday night, she said.

The cardinal's mood has improved in recent days, said Dolan, whohas seen George every day and dined with him on several occasions.

"His sense of humor is back," she said. "For a while there, he wasso somber."

"Talking about this process, he had originally used the expressionthat it was 'daunting.' As the week went by and he developed his ownprocess . . . his comfort level seemed to be much greater."

Dolan said she had the impression that other cardinals wereseeking out George for his keen analytical abilities.

"He has the ability to cut through information and ideas and seethe essence of situations quickly," she said. "I'm sure he seesthings other people don't see. That's his gift to this conclave."