The shadow of the conclave weighs on Pope Francis since the day of his hospitalization, on February 14, which had its worst epilogue on April 21. The death of Jorge Mario Bergoglio opens the transition from the Church to his successor, who will end with the famous announcement of the Central Lodge of the Basilica of San Pedro:“We have a Pope“
But what happens before these words pronounced by Cardinal Protodiacon, the first of the cardinals of the Order of Deacons, who gives the news to the world at the end of the conclave?
The conclave is a process rooted in the millenary tradition of the Catholic Church, but has also undergone some modifications over the centuries to respond to the demands of modern times. In this way, he has inspired many films that portray personal rivalries and political tensions in the papal elections, more recently the conscónclave thriller, based on the homonymous novel by Robert Harris, who won an Oscar for a better non -original argument.
Why is it called conclave??
Let’s start with the etymology of the word: the first time the conclave is mentioned (From Latin “Cum key“, that is to say,Literally, there is key) To indicate the site and the assembly to which the choice of potatoes is trusted, it is in 1274, although its origin is in an episode a few years before.
In 1270, the inhabitants of Viterb“Closed with the key“) In the atrium of the city’s archiepiscopal palace to force them to decide quickly. However, the measure was not very successful: lasting about three years, this was the longest conclave in the history of the Church. In the end, Gregory X was chosen. In 1274, in the council of Lyão, the Apostolic Constitution was issued.”Where the risk“: This document introduced the mandatory isolation of the cardinal meeting, officially established the conclave and established strict rules that then changed over time.
How the conclave works
Although some rules have been relaxed, the conclave remains a procedure marked by precise times. In fact, it is an event that leads to the election of the new leader of the Catholic Church, but also the new head of state of the Vatican.
Within 15 to 20 days after the death of the Pope, the dean of Cardinal College, Cardinal Giovanni Battista, 91, summons the cardinals to Rome to choose their successor. The period that extends to the choice of a new pontiff is designated as a “vacant thirst”: during this period, the Cardinian University maintains the general supervision of the Church, but cannot make important decisions.
No day when the conclave beginsThe cardinals gather in the Basilica of San Pedro, in the Vatican, for the mass for choosing a Roman pontiffor “for the choice of the pontiff.” The first day is mainly dedicated to prayer, at the end of which the cardinals go in procession to the Sistine Chapel, where the vote is made. The master of the pontifical liturgical celebrations, the Monsignor Diego Giovanni Ravelli, will pronounce “Omnes Extra”, “Out of all.” The rules for the vote and general development of the conclave are contained in the Apostolic Constitution “All the domain of the flock“, published in 1996 by John Paul II and updated by Bento XVI with the Motu on June 11, 2007 and last February 22, 2013.
Once he arrived at the place where Miguel ângelo, the famous new “the final judgment”, the cardinals must make a Latin oath, the official language of the Vatican state, which includes respect for the Apostolic Constitution, the commitment not to reveal what is happening in the meetings of the Conclaves and the commitment to play the role of Pope, if they are elected.
During the conclave, the cardinals cannot have any contact with the outside world and everyone lives in the Santa Marta house, built by order of John Paul II to replace the improvised accommodation in the papal palace that had housed them before. From San Martha, Located near the chapel of Santa Marta, within the city of the Vatican, it was also the residence chosen by Pope Francis for his pontificate. In fact, Bergoglio did not live in the traditional apostolic palace, such as his predecessors, preferring a simpler and closer style of people.
The votes of the conclave
Only the “voters” cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel, that is, those minors of 80, currently 138.
A two -thirds majority is needed to choose a new Pope. Cardinals cannot leave the conclave, except in rare cases, precisely to prevent the electoral process from extending and compromising from the outside.
The cardinals vote secretly, writing the name of the chosen one in a voting report. After each vote, the voting bulletins are burned in a stove, along with an additive that produces a color, and the smoke is released through a chimney that can be seen from the Plaza de San Pedro, where the faithful and the spectators join. If a vote ends without a two -thirds majority, the smoke is black; When you get to a decision, it is white.
After vote 33 or 34, there is a direct and mandatory scrutiny between the two most voted cardinals in the last vote. However, even in this case, a two -thirds majority will always be required. The remaining two cardinals may not actively participate in the vote. If the votes in favor of a candidate reach two thirds of the voters, the choice of the pontiff is canonically valid. At this time, the last of the Cardinal deacons order calls the master of liturgical celebrations and the secretary of Cardinal College. The dean, the vicecán or the first cardinal of the bishops of the cardinals addresses the chosen ones, saying in Latin: “Acebe the choice of you in the highest pontiff?“(Did you accept your canonical choice as a high pontiff?) And, if so, he adds: “What name do you want to be called?? (How do you want to call yourself?), Ask what the newborn will answer with his pontifical name.
White smoke
After acceptance, voting bulletins are burned in a stove, so that the classic white smoke can be seen from the Plaza de San Pedro. At the end of the conclave, the new Pontiff is taken to the “Tears Room”, that is, the sacristy of the Sistine Chapel, to use the papal robes for the first time, with which it will appear in public in the Lodge of the Basilica of San Pedro. The name of the sacristy derives from the fact that the Pontiff explodes in tears of emotion and the weight of the responsibility of the role that he is called to play.
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After prayer for the new pontiff and the tribute of the cardinals, the “Te Deum” is sung, which marks the end of the conclave. The announcement of the election is made by Cardinal Protodiácono, who arises from the Central Lodge of the Basilica of San Pedro and pronounces “Habemus Papam” or “We have the Pope.”
The new Pope, preceded by the processional cross, will give the solemn “Urbi et Orbi” blessing.
