{"id":36214,"date":"2025-05-05T07:42:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T07:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exciting-knuth.178-32-140-152.plesk.page\/?p=36214"},"modified":"2025-05-05T07:45:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T07:45:19","slug":"election-of-the-266th-successor-of-saint-peter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.donbosco.press\/en\/good-press\/election-of-the-266th-successor-of-saint-peter\/","title":{"rendered":"Election of the 266th Successor of Saint Peter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every death or resignation of a Pontiff opens one of the most delicate phases in the life of the Catholic Church: the election of the Successor of Saint Peter. Although the last conclave dates back to March 2013, when Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, understanding how a Pope is elected remains essential to grasp the functioning of a millennia-old institution that influences over 1.3 billion faithful and \u2014 indirectly \u2014 global geopolitics.

<\/em>
1. The Vacant See<\/strong>
Everything begins with the vacant see<\/strong>, that is, the period between the death (or resignation) of the reigning Pontiff and the election of the new one. The apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis<\/em>, promulgated by John Paul II on February 22, 1996, and updated by Benedict XVI in 2007 and 2013, establishes detailed procedures.

Verification of the vacancy
<\/em>In case of death: the Cardinal Camerlengo \u2014 currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell \u2014 officially confirms the death, closes and seals the papal apartment, and notifies the Dean of the College of Cardinals.
In case of resignation: the vacant see begins at the time indicated in the resignation act, as happened at 8:00 PM on February 28, 2013, for Benedict XVI.

Ordinary administration
<\/em>During the vacant see, the Camerlengo manages the material assets of the Holy See but cannot perform acts reserved exclusively for the Pontiff (such as episcopal appointments, doctrinal decisions, etc.).

General and particular congregations
<\/em>All cardinals \u2014 electors and non-electors \u2014 present in Rome gather in the Synod Hall to discuss urgent matters. The \u201cparticular\u201d congregations include the Camerlengo and three cardinals drawn by lot in rotation; the \u201cgeneral\u201d congregations summon the entire College of Cardinals and are used, among other things, to set the start date of the conclave.


2. Who can elect and who can be elected
<\/strong>The electors
<\/em>Since Paul VI\u2019s motu proprio Ingravescentem aetatem<\/em> (1970), only cardinals who have not reached the age of 80 before the start of the vacant see have the right to vote.<\/strong> The maximum number of electors is set at 120, but this can be temporarily exceeded due to closely spaced consistories.
Electors must:
– be present in Rome by the start of the conclave (except for serious reasons);
– take an oath of secrecy;
– stay at the Domus Sanctae Marthae<\/em>, the residence established by John Paul II to ensure dignity and discretion.
The enclosure is not a medieval whim: it aims to protect the cardinals\u2019 freedom of conscience and shield the Church from undue interference. Breaking the secrecy results in automatic excommunication.


Those eligible
<\/em>In theory, any baptized male<\/strong> can be elected Pope, since the Petrine office is of divine right. However, from the Middle Ages to today, the Pope has always been chosen from among the cardinals. If a non-cardinal or even a layman were chosen, he would have to be immediately ordained a bishop.


3. The conclave: etymology, logistics, and symbolism<\/strong>
The term \u201cconclave\u201d comes from the Latin cum clave<\/em>, \u201cwith key\u201d: the cardinals are \u201clocked in\u201d until the election to avoid external pressures. The enclosure is guaranteed by several rules:
– Allowed places: Sistine Chapel (voting), Domus Sanctae Marthae<\/em> (lodging), a reserved path between the two buildings.
– Communication ban: electronic devices are collected, signal jammers used, anti-spy controls<\/em> in place.
– Secrecy is also ensured by an oath that includes spiritual sanctions (automatic<\/em> excommunication) and canonical penalties.


4. Typical agenda of the conclave
<\/strong>1. \u201cPro eligendo Pontifice<\/em>\u201d Mass in St. Peter\u2019s Basilica on the morning of the entry into the conclave.
2. Procession in the Sistine Chapel reciting the Veni Creator Spiritus<\/em>.
3. Individual oath of the cardinals, pronounced before the Gospel book.
4. Extra omnes!<\/em> (\u201cEveryone out!\u201d): the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations dismisses those not entitled to stay.
5. First (optional) vote on the afternoon of the entry day.
6. Two daily votes (morning and afternoon) followed by the scrutiny (counting).



5. Voting procedure
<\/strong>Each round follows four steps:
5.1. Praescrutinium<\/em><\/strong>. Distribution and filling out in Latin of the ballot \u201cEligo in Summum Pontificem<\/em>…\u201d.
5.2. Scrutinium<\/em><\/strong>. Each cardinal, carrying the folded ballot, says: \u201cTestor Christum Dominum…\u201d<\/em>. He deposits the ballot in the urn.
5.3. Post-scrutinium<\/em><\/strong>. Three scrutators<\/em> drawn by lot count the ballots, read aloud each name, record it, and perforate the ballot with needle and thread.
5.4. Burning<\/strong>. Ballots and notes are burned in a special stove; the colour of the smoke indicates the result.
To be elected, a qualified majority is required, that is, two-thirds of valid votes.



6. The smoke: black waiting, white joy
<\/strong>Since 2005, to make the signal unmistakable to the faithful in St. Peter\u2019s Square, a chemical reagent is added:
– Black smoke (fumata nera): no one elected.
– White smoke (fumata bianca): Pope elected; bells also ring.
After the white smoke, it takes another 30 minutes to an hour before the new Pope is announced by the Cardinal Deacon in St. Peter\u2019s Square. Shortly after (5 to 15 minutes), the new Pope appears to give the Urbi et Orbi<\/em> blessing.


7. \u201cAcceptasne electionem?\u201d<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 Acceptance and pontifical name<\/strong>
When someone reaches the required threshold, the Dean of the College of Cardinals (or the oldest by order and legal seniority if the Dean is the elected) asks: \u201cAcceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?\u201d<\/em> (Do you accept the canonically made election as Supreme Pontiff?). If the elected consents \u2014 Accepto!<\/em> \u2014 he is asked: \u201cQuo nomine vis vocari<\/em>?\u201d (By what name do you wish to be called?). Taking the name is an act full of theological and pastoral meanings: it recalls models (Francis of Assisi) or reform intentions (John XXIII).

8. Immediately following rites
<\/strong>8.1 Vesting<\/em>.
8.2 Entry into the Chapel of Tears<\/em>, where the new Pope can recollect himself.
8.3 Obedientia<\/em>: the electing cardinals file past for the first act of obedience.
8.4 Announcement to the world<\/em>: the Protodeacon appears on the central balcony with the famous \u201cAnnuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus Papam!\u201d<\/em>
8.5 First \u201cUrbi et Orbi\u201d blessing<\/em> of the new Pontiff.

From that moment, he takes possession of the office and formally begins his pontificate, while the coronation with the pallium and the Fisherman\u2019s ring takes place at the inauguration Mass (usually the following Sunday).


9. Some historical aspects and development of the norms
<\/strong>1st<\/sup>\u20133rd<\/sup> centuries: Acclamation by clergy and Roman people. In the absence of stable norms, imperial influence was strong.
1059 \u2013 In nomine Domini<\/em>. College of Cardinals. Nicholas II limits lay intervention; official birth of the conclave.
1274 \u2013 Ubi Periculum<\/em>. Mandatory enclosure. Gregory X reduces political manoeuvres, introduces seclusion.
1621\u20131622 \u2013 Gregory XV. Systematic secret ballot. Improvement of ballots; two-thirds requirement.
1970 \u2013 Paul VI. Age limit of 80 years. Reduces electorate, favouring quicker decisions.
1996 \u2013 John Paul II. Universi Dominici Gregis<\/em>. Modern codification of the process, introduces Domus Sanctae Marthae<\/em>.


10. Some concrete data of this Conclave
<\/strong>Living cardinals: 252 (average age: 78.0 years).
Voting cardinals: 134 (135). Cardinal Antonio Ca\u00f1izares Llovera, Archbishop Emeritus of Valencia, Spain, and Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi, Kenya, have announced that they will not be able to participate in the conclave.
Of the 135 voting cardinals, 108 (80%) were appointed by Pope Francis. 22 (16%) were appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. The remaining 5 (4%) were appointed by Pope Saint John Paul II.
Of the 135 voting cardinals, 25 participated as electors in the 2013 Conclave.
Average age of the 134 participating cardinal electors: 70.3 years.
Average years of service as cardinal of the 134 participating cardinal electors: 7.1 years.
Average length of a papacy: about 7.5 years.


Start of the Conclave: May 7, Sistine Chapel.
Voting cardinals in the Conclave: 134. Number of votes required for election is two-thirds, i.e., 89 votes.

Voting schedule: 4 votes per day (2 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon).
After 3 full days (to be defined), voting is suspended for a full day (\u201cto allow a prayer pause, informal discussion among electors, and a brief spiritual exhortation\u201d).
Then follow 7 more ballots and another pause up to a full day.
Then 7 more ballots and another pause up to a full day.
Then 7 more ballots and then a pause to evaluate how to proceed.


11. Unwritten \u201cinternal\u201d dynamics<\/strong>
Despite the strict legal framework, the choice of the Pope is a spiritual but also a human process influenced by:
– Profiles of candidates (\u201cpapabili\u201d): geographic origin, pastoral experience, doctrinal competence.
– Ecclesial currents: curial or pastoral, reformist or conservative, liturgical sensitivities.
– Global agenda : ecumenical relations, inter-religious dialogue, social crises (migrants, climate change).
– Languages and personal networks: cardinals tend to gather by region (the \u201cLatin American\u201d group, \u201cAfrican\u201d group, etc.) and meet informally during meals or \u201cwalks\u201d in the Vatican gardens.


A spiritual and institutional event together
<\/strong>The election of a Pope is not a technical step comparable to a corporate assembly. Despite the human dimension, it is a spiritual act essentially guided by the Holy Spirit.
<\/strong>The care of minute rules \u2014 from sealing the Sistine doors to burning the ballots \u2014 shows how the Church has transformed its long historical experience into a system now perceived as stable and solemn.
Knowing how a Pope is chosen, therefore, is not just curiosity: it is understanding the dynamic between authority, collegiality, and tradition that supports the oldest religious institution still operating worldwide. And, in an age of dizzying changes, that \u201clittle smoke\u201d rising from the roof of the Sistine Chapel continues to remind us that centuries-old decisions can still speak to the hearts of billions, inside and outside the Church.
May this knowledge of the data and procedures help us to pray more deeply, as one should pray before every important decision that affects our life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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