The
Conclave
with engravings by Bernard Picart, 1724
During the period between Popes, the Apostolic See is deemed vacant "Sedes Apostolica vacante". The Papal Tiara is replaced with the Pavillion or umbrella in the coat of arms.
The 'Conclave' of Cardinals began in the XIII century after an excessively long papal election. Over the years, certain modifications have been made. The latest norms were issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996, in a document called Universi Dominici Gregis. explanation
After
the death of the Pope, the Cardinals make their way to Rome. Before the papal
funeral, the Cardinals hold several "Congregations"
or meetings, at which they decide various matters pertaining to the funeral
and ensuing conclave. On Monday, April 4, 2005, the Cardinals held their first
Congregation, at which they decided to hold Pope John Paul II's Funeral on
Friday, April 8. On Tuesday, April 5, they read the late Pope's will and decided
to publish it in its entirety. They also decided that the Conclave to elect
the new Pope would begin on Monday, April 18.
On
the first day of the Conclave, Mass of the Holy Spirit is celebrated. The
Cardinals pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the election of a new
Supreme Pontiff, Bishop of Rome. Formerly celebrated by one Cardinal, today
all of the Cardinals concelebrate the Mass. On April 18, 2005, this Mass was
celebrated publically, in St. Peter's Basilica.
The
Cardinals enter into the Conclave to elect a new Pope. Formerly, they were
locked into the Sistine Chapel and bricked-up environs, where tiny makeshift
rooms were set-up for each Cardinal. New regulations allow for the Cardinals
to live at the new St. Martha House, in the Vatican. From there, each morning,
they proceed to the Sistine Chapel for Holy Mass and for voting. At the beginning
of the Conclave, the Dean of the College of Cardinals calls each Cardinal
to swear an oath and presides over the election. Then, the Master of Papal
Ceremonies gives the order: "Extra omnes", and all those not taking
part in the Conclave must leave the Sistine Chapel.
Twice
daily, the Cardinals vote for a new Pope, two ballots in the morning and two
in the afternoon. On each ballot slip, Each Cardinal must write his name and
the name of the Cardinal that he believes worthy of election. After each vote,
the ballots are burned in a stove. If no Pope has been elected, nothing is
added to the burning ballots and dark smoke subsequently exits the chimney
above the Sistine Chapel. When a candidate is elected, straw or chemicals
are added, producing white smoke. Often it is difficult to determine the colour
of the smoke. As a consequence, the new regulations have added the ringing
of St. Peter's bells, upon the election of a new pope.
August 6, 1623— After receiving a majority,
Cardinal Maffeo Barberini (Centre Left) asks the Cardinal Dean (Right) to
re-count the ballots. He took the name Pope Urban VIII (1623-1644).
A
two thirds plus one majority is required for election. If no candidate receives
the required two thirds majority within the first 12 to 13 days of voting,
current
rules allow the Cardinals to switch to a simpler system in which the Cardinal
who receives at least 51% of the votes will be declared elected. After he
receives the required majority, the candidate is asked whether or not he accepts.
If he does accept (accipeo), he is then asked by what name he chooses to be
known, as Pope. He is then taken to the adjacent Room of Tears, where three
sizes of white cassocks, a white skull-cap, the deep red papal mozetta, papal
stole and five sizes of red shoes await. He is vested in the papal clothes
that best fits him.
