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| Pope Francis I |
With the claims of deteriorating health and resignation of the previous pope (Pope Benedict XVI), the suspense and processes following the election of a new pope, a few questions popped up in my head, and I thought I should make a blog of it.
- How do the cardinals that go into the conclave get selected?
- What happens in the conclave?
- After conclave?
- Black smoke, White smoke.
- Can the elected man reject the Papacy seat?
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What is the See of Peter?
- Why does the Pope only wear white?
Each cardinal has the right to take into the conclave, a secretary and a servant. In case of illness, a third conclavist may be allowed, with the agreement of the general congregation. They are all also sworn to secrecy and to not hinder the election.
All true cardinals may enter the conclave but only those who have received deacon's orders have a right to vote unless they have received a special indult from the late/preceeding pope. Cardinals who have been preconized, but not yet elevated to the purple, are entitled by a decision of St. Pius V (1571) both to be present and to vote.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CONCLAVE?
On this first day of the Conclave, only one ballot
is permitted. On the other days of the Conclave, two ballots are
permitted in the morning session and two are permitted in the
afternoon session.
There are three phases to
the election process. They are:1) Pre-Scrutiny
The ballots are prepared and distributed.
2) Scrutiny
The ballots are collected and counted.
Sitting at a table in front of the altar, the 1st Scrutineer
silently reads the name on a ballot, passes it to
the 2nd Scrutineer
who does likewise, and then passes it to the 3rd Scrutineer, who
reads the name
aloud and then writes it down. Each Elector also
writes it down on a sheet provided for this purpose.
The ballot is
then pierced with a needle through the word eligo (I elect)
and placed on a thread for
security.
When all ballots have been read the ends of the thread are tied
in a knot and the ballots are placed in a receptacle on one end of the table.
3) Post-Scrutiny
The ballots are counted, checked and burned.
In the case of difficulty electing, understood as three days of voting without an election, voting is to be suspending for up to, but not exceeding, one full day, to allow prayer and discussion. Voting is then resumed for seven ballots. Such suspensions followed by seven ballots may as necessary until a pope is elected.
No Election
If less than two-thirds of the votes
have been cast for the same person, or less than the majority required by the
special provisions for a deadlocked conclave, an election has not
occurred. If it was the first ballot of the session the Electors
proceed to vote again. After the second ballot the ballots of both
sessions are burned, whether an election occurs or not.
Election
If two-thirds of the votes have been cast for the
same person, or the majority required by the special provisions for
a deadlocked conclave, an election has occurred. The Scrutineers,
with the assistance of the Secretary of the Conclave and the Masters
of Ceremony, who are re-admitted to the Conclave at this point,
proceed to burn the ballots.
AFTER CONCLAVE?
Acceptance
After the junior Cardinal Deacon has re-admitted the Secretary of
the College and the Master of Papal Liturgical Ceremonies, the
Cardinal Dean, or, the Cardinal who is first in order and seniority,
goes to the one elected and asks,
By giving consent, the one elected, provided he holds the episcopal order, immediately becomes the Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff. If the one elected is not present, he would have to be summoned. If not a bishop he would have to be ordained one before proceeding.
The Cardinal Dean then asks,
By what name do you wish to be called?
The Master of Papal Liturgical Ceremonies, with the witness of the two Masters of Ceremonies (who are now summoned), draw up a document certifying the consent of the one elected and the name he has chosen.
Following certain formalities prescribed in the ritual for the Conclave, each Cardinal comes forward in turn and makes an act of homage and obedience to the new Pope. An act of thanksgiving is then made by all present.
Announcement by the Proto-Deacon
Following the vesting of the Pope the senior Cardinal Deacon announces the new Pope from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to those gathered in the Square and listening or watching throughout the world.
BLACK SMOKE, WHITE SMOKE.
While the white smoke signaling a pope has been elected is produced by potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin.
CAN THE ELECTED MAN REJECT THE PAPACY?
The elected cardinal has the right to refuse the election. These three conditions must be met for the man to be declared the new Pontiff
- He has to have episcopal character(he must be ordained a bishop). If he isn't already ordained a Bishop, he is ordained immediately.
- He must be lawfully elected
- He has to accept the election
WHAT IS THE SEE OF PETER/HOLY SEE?
The See of Peter is another name for the papacy, the popes sitting in the seat of St. Peter whom was conferred primacy in the Church according to the Roman Catholic interpretation of St. Matthew 16 : 18-19.
The Vacancy of the Holy See is the period between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of a successor. It is formally referred to as the "The Vacancy of The Apostolic See" (Papal Interregnum). This period is governed by Papal Law and admits no changes to the Church governance or to the spiritual/material patrimony of St. Peter except his successor.
WHY DOES THE POPE WEAR WHITE?
Popes prior to Pope Pius V (1504-1572) wore red, but he chose to wear his white Dominican habit and the tradition is still being followed till today.
Sources
Wikipedia
Catholic Television Network, EWTN
