Pope Francis Succession: Conclave Process Begins Wednesday
Conclave to Elect Successor to Pope Francis Begins Wednesday
Table of Contents
- Conclave to Elect Successor to Pope Francis Begins Wednesday
- Papal Conclave: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Papal Conclave?
- When and where does the Papal Conclave Take Place?
- Who Participates in the Conclave?
- What Preparations Are Made Before the Conclave Begins?
- What is the Election Process?
- How is the Outcome of the Voting Announced?
- What Happens After a Pope is Elected?
- Key Facts Summarized
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to begin the conclave to elect a new pope, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. The proceedings will be held in strict secrecy.
Conclave Preparations
The election process is governed by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, promulgated by pope John Paul II in 1996.
- Cardinals under the age of 80 – the electors, currently numbering 133 due to two absences for health reasons – will reside at the Domus Sanctae Marthae within Vatican City for the duration of the conclave.
- On Monday, May 5, at 5:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m.GMT),all participants in the conclave,both ecclesiastical and lay,will swear an oath of secrecy in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.
- On the morning of Wednesday, May 7, the first day of the conclave, the cardinals will participate in a solemn mass at 10 a.m. in st. Peter’s Basilica. They are scheduled to arrive at 9:15 a.m.in the Chapel of St. Sebastian, near Michelangelo’s Pietà, to don their liturgical vestments.
- In the afternoon, at 4:15 p.m.,the cardinals will convene in the Pauline Chapel. According to the Vatican, cardinals of the Latin Church will wear “a red dress wiht belt, rock, Mosette, pectoral cross with red and gold cord, ring, cap and bar,” while those of the Eastern Churches will wear their own ecclesiastical attire.
- The cardinals will then process into the Sistine Chapel while chanting the Litany of the Saints. The chapel’s isolation will be carefully maintained.
- Following the liturgical song “Veni Creator,” the cardinals will take their oath.
- In accordance with tradition, the master of ceremonies will pronounce the phrase “Extra Omnes” (“All outside”), at which point those not involved in the voting will leave the chapel.
the Election Process
The voting process involves several key steps:
- Three cardinals are chosen by lot to serve as “scrutineers,” three as “infirmarii” (to collect ballots from sick cardinals), and three as “revisers” (to verify the work of the scrutineers).
- seated beneath Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment,” each cardinal receives a rectangular ballot inscribed with the words “Eligo in summum Pontificem” (“I elect as supreme Pontiff”) and a space for the name of their chosen candidate.
- Each elector writes the name of his choice in handwriting that is ”not recognizable” and folds the ballot twice.While theoretically forbidden, voting for oneself is possible.
- Each cardinal proceeds to the altar, holding the ballot aloft, and proclaims aloud in Latin: “I call Christ the Lord as my witness, who will be my judge, that I am electing the one who, before God, I think should be elected.”
- The cardinal then places the ballot on a paten and slides it into the ballot box, bows to the altar, and returns to his place.
- Cardinals who are unable to reach the altar due to health or age may give their ballot to a scrutor, who will deposit it in their place.
- Once all ballots have been collected, a scrutineer shakes the urn to mix the ballots, transfers them to a second container, and then counts them.
- Two scrutineers record the names, while a third reads them aloud, piercing each ballot with a needle through the word “Eligo” and stringing them together. The revisers then verify the accuracy of the scrutineers’ work.
- If no candidate receives two-thirds of the votes, a second ballot is held immediately.
- except for the first day, four ballots are held each day – two in the morning and two in the afternoon – until a pope is elected. After three days without a result, the process is suspended for a maximum of one day for prayer and informal consultation.
- Further rounds of voting are then held until an election occurs.
- After each ballot, the ballots and any notes taken are burned in a stove.
- A chimney, visible from St. Peter’s Square, signals the outcome of the vote. black smoke indicates a failed election,while white smoke,produced by adding chemicals,signals that a pope has been chosen.
- The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica also ring to announce the election.
Acceptance and Declaration
once elected, the new pope is asked two questions by the Cardinal Dean:
- Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?
- What name do you wish to be called?
Upon answering “yes” to the first question, the elected official immediately becomes Pope and Bishop of Rome.
The cardinals then pay homage and pledge their obedience to the new Pope.
The Cardinal Protodeacon announces the election to the world with the words “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”). The new Pope then appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to give his Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world).
Papal Conclave: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Papal Conclave?
A papal conclave is the process by which the College of Cardinals elects a new Pope. The word “conclave” comes from the Latin “cum clave,” meaning ”with a key,” reflecting the seclusion of the cardinals during the election.
When and where does the Papal Conclave Take Place?
Conclaves are held in the Sistine chapel within Vatican City. The provided article states that the conclave begins on Wednesday,May 7th,following the death of the previous Pope. It’s important to note that the specific dates depend on when the previous Pope dies or resigns. the process is governed by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.
Who Participates in the Conclave?
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave. These cardinals, known as electors, reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae within Vatican City for the duration of the conclave.
What Preparations Are Made Before the Conclave Begins?
Several preparations occur before the actual voting begins:
- Oath of Secrecy: All participants in the conclave, both ecclesiastic and lay, swear an oath of secrecy to maintain confidentiality.This occurs in the pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.
- Solemn Mass: Cardinals participate in a solemn mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the morning of the first day.
- Vestments and Procession: Cardinals don thier liturgical vestments and process into the Sistine Chapel, chanting the Litany of the Saints.
- Seclusion: The chapel is carefully isolated to ensure the secrecy of the proceedings.
What is the Election Process?
The election process is a complex series of steps:
- Scrutineers, Infirmarii, and Revisers: Three cardinals are chosen by lot to serve as scrutineers, to count ballots and to collect those from sick cardinals, while another three serve as revisers to verify the scrutineers’ work.
- Balloting: Each cardinal receives a ballot, writes the name of their chosen candidate in handwriting that is “not recognizable,” and folds it twice.
- Oath and Casting the Ballot: Each cardinal proclaims aloud in Latin: “I call Christ the Lord as my witness, who will be my judge, that I am electing the one who, before God, I think should be elected.” The ballot is then placed on a paten and slid into the ballot box.
- Ballot Counting: The ballots are collected, mixed, and counted by scrutineers.
- Verification: The scrutineers record the names, then a third reads them aloud while the revisers verify accuracy, piercing each ballot with a needle.
- Subsequent Ballots: If no candidate receives two-thirds of the votes, a second ballot is held instantly. Up to four ballots are held per day.
- Suspension and Further Voting: After three days without a result, the process is suspended for prayer and consultation. Further rounds of voting continue until a new pope is elected.
- Burning the Ballots: After each ballot, the ballots and any notes taken are burned.
How is the Outcome of the Voting Announced?
The outcome of the vote is signaled by smoke and the ringing of the bells of St.Peter’s Basilica.
What does Black Smoke and White Smoke Signify?
Black smoke indicates that a Pope has not been elected. White smoke signals that a Pope has been chosen.This smoke is produced by adding chemicals to the ballots after they are burned in a stove.
How Else do we announce the Election?
The bells of st. Peter’s Basilica are also rung to announce the election.
What Happens After a Pope is Elected?
After the election, the new Pope goes through a formal procedure.
- Questions by the Cardinal Dean: The Cardinal Dean asks the newly elected Pope two questions:
- Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?
- What name do you wish to be called?
- Acceptance of the Papacy: Upon answering “yes” to the first question,the elected official immediately becomes Pope and Bishop of Rome.
- Homage and Obedience: The cardinals then pay homage and pledge their obedience to the new Pope.
- “Habemus Papam”: The Cardinal Protodeacon announces the election to the world with the words “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”).
- Apostolic Blessing: The new Pope then appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to give his Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world).
Key Facts Summarized
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| location | Sistine Chapel, Vatican City |
| Participants | Cardinals under 80 years old (electors) |
| Voting Process | Secret ballots, multiple rounds, two-thirds majority needed |
| Outcome Signal | White or black smoke from the chimney and the bells |
| Declaration | “Habemus Papam” and the Apostolic Blessing |