Notes on the Papal Conclave and Election Process

Introduction

• Discussion on the conclave and the election process of the Pope.
• Purpose: To provide a general overview of how a Pope is elected, especially focusing on the conclave.

Vacancy of the Papacy

• Period of vacant seat: Occurs when the Pope dies or resigns.
• The College of Cardinals manages ordinary administration during this time.
• Cardinal De Cano summons cardinal electors under 80 to Rome for the conclave.

History of the Conclave

• Established in the 10th century.
• Rules of election have changed over time; latest from John Paul II (Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, 1996).
• Cardinal dean announces the start of the conclave by declaring "extra homelness futuro tutti" to indicate that outsiders must leave.

Voting Process

• Majority Requirement: A cardinal must receive a 2/3 majority of votes to be elected.
  • Example: With 150 cardinals, at least 100 votes are needed.
  • If not divisible by three (e.g., 101 cardinals), need 2/3 + 1; 68 votes in this case.
• After 34 votes without a majority, only the top two candidates are considered in subsequent votes.
• Recent examples of election speed:
  • Pope Francis: elected after 5 ballots.
  • Pope Benedict XV: elected after 4 ballots.

Voting Procedure

• Ballots are provided with the inscription "Eligo Insum Ponteficem".
• After voting, ballots are folded and placed in a plate.
• Scrutineers count the votes and announce results.
• Generally, four votes are held per day (two in the morning, two in the afternoon).

Smoke Signals

• Black Smoke: Indicates no election.
• White Smoke: Indicates a new Pope has been elected.
  • The stove is cylindrical, about 1 m high.
  • Black smoke is produced by burning just ballots; white smoke needs damp straw as well.
  • A modern smoke mechanism is used to enhance visibility of smoke signals.

Announcement and Acceptance

• If a candidate receives required votes:
  • The dean asks in Latin if they accept the election and what pontifical name they choose.
  • The new Pope dons pontifical robes in the Room of Tears (Sistine Chapel sacristy).
  • Public Announcement: Cardinal protodeacon announces "Abemus Papam" from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.
  • The new pontiff addresses the crowd gathered.

Eligibility to Become Pope

• Requirements:
  1. Must be a celibate and baptized male.
  2. Not necessarily a priest or cardinal, anyone meeting the requirements can theoretically be elected.
  3. In practice, candidates are usually cardinals.
• Last layman elected was Pope Leo VII in 1963.

Conclave Dynamics

• Cardinals often form factions based on political ideas or geographical origin.
• Outside influence is prohibited; the conclave is closed.
• Historically, sovereigns of Catholic countries had veto rights until the 20th century.
• Modern concerns include potential surveillance technologies; security checks are implemented.

Conclusion

• Overview of the conclave and election process aimed to clarify the complexities involved.
• Invitation for further questions in comments for the next video.