Election of A Pope: A Mystery that Remains Misunderstood...

The Conclave is one of the most misunderstood ancient rituals of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the gathering of all the cardinals in the world to elect a new pope. The gathering is an ancient ritual practiced by Catholicism faithfuls from over thousands of years ago. The gathering is called the Sacred College of Cardinals headed by the Dean of Cardinals.

The conclave only happens after the death of the Pope which leaves the Holy See vacant. The Holy See which is the Vatican City has to choose another successor of Peter to lead Catholicism. Immediately after the death of the Pope this ancient tradition of gathering will take place as all the cardinals in the world will gather in St. Sistine Chapel for the conclave. The Cardinal Camerlengo assumes charge of the papal household, verifies by a judicial act the death of the supreme pontiff. In the presence of the household he strikes the forehead of the dead pope three times with a silver mallet, calling him by his baptismal name. The fisherman's ring the symbol of Papacy and the papal seals are then broken. A notary draws up the act which is the legal evidence of the pope's death.

The obsequies last nine days. Meanwhile the cardinals have been notified of the impending election. During the aforesaid nine days, and until the election of a successor, all cardinals appear with uncovered rochets, just as all have canopies over their seats at the conclave, to show that the supreme authority is in the hands of the whole College. The cardinal camerlengo is assisted by the heads of the three cardinalitial orders, known as the "Capita Ordinum". The cardinals will lock themselves in the St. Sistine Chapel where the ceilings was elegantly painted by Michelangelo himself “The Creation”. During the conclave no cardinal is allowed to leave the Sistine Chapel while the conclave is still on going and must swore in secrecy to whatever they will be doing inside.

Penalty for breaking any secrecy is automatic excommunication. During the 2005 conclave there were 122 candidates for the election. Among them were three major candidates who plays vital role in the Holy Church namely +Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Prime Minister of the Vatican City, +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals, Bishop of Ostia, Defender of Holy Doctrines and prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrines of Faith and +Francis Cardinal Arinze Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments and the Archbishop of Villetri-Segni, Nigeria. One of the three has succeeded as the Bishop of Rome.
The former Bishop of Ostia +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as Bishop of Rome. Ro be elected as Pope one candidate must garner two thirds of the population. Once a cardinal has been elected the Dean would ask the Pope elect if he accepts the Papacy. If he does he will be sent to the Room of Tears. Termed room of tears because inside the pope will may cry or burst his feelings toward God to the burden given unto him and accept his role as Servant of the servants of God.

Until now no one can tell if the pope really speaks to Jesus Christ inside the room of tears no one except the cardinals present inside who pledges their secrecy to the Holy Church. After the Pope elect has sworn his loyalty it will also be the time for the cardinals to line up and swear their loyalty to the new Holy Father. Outside Vatican the faithful awaits and will be informed by the chapel’s chimney. Black smoke for unsuccessful election and white smoke if the College has already chosen a candidate to be the Bishop of Rome which is the Pope. The College is presided by The Dean of Cardinals or the Bishop of Ostia formerly His eminence +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger now His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

All are equally sworn to secrecy and also not to hinder the election. After the conclave certain honorary distinctions and pecuniary emoluments are awarded to the conclavists. As the Papal Election continues for days the public waiting outside will always be informed of a new pope is selected thru smoke signals as is tradition. Once a pope is selected the famous chimney of St. Sistine will emit white smoke and bells of the Vatican will be rang to verify the white smoke. a cardinal will emerge to the crowd waiting outside the Holy See and announce the name of the newly elected pope. Saying “Anuncio Bovis Gaudium Manum” which means I announce to you a Great Joy! And the famous latin words will once again be spoken “HABEMUS PAPAM”

We Have a Pope! The newly elected Pope’s Baptismal name will be announced first followed by his Family name then his new chosen name. The new Pope will then appear to the Public for the first time. At this point he will carry the burden of being the Shepherd and the fisherman of Christ. Several titles are being named for the Pope like The Fisherman when he will wear his fisherman’s ring as the symbol of papacy, the Vicar of Christ, The Successor of Peter and the Bishop of Rome and the Supreme Pontiff. After this historical moment the coronation will take place few days after the conclave where traditionally the Pope elect will wear the Papal Tiara or the Triple crown as a symbol of his Divinity and authority as the Vicar of Christ and the Successor of Peter. As the Pope wears this crown he is said to be a Divine being and renders himself infallible, he is given the right of infallibility from the moment he is crowned until his death.

Pope John XIII in all his splendor wearing the triple crown during his coronation. Being the pope cannot be equaled by any royalty. A pope is entitled to a life of prayer and burden to tend to the flock of Christ. The acceptance of this divine role is both a burden and a privilege. The pope is the only one who can say mass in the high altars of the Four Major Basilicas in Rome. The St. John Lateran also called the Lateran Basilica, is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. It is the only one called an "archbasilica". Its full official names are "Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran", "Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour and of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist at the Lateran", "Cathedral of Rome". St. Peter’s Basilica also called the Vatican Basilica, is a major pilgrimage site, being built over the burial place of Saint Peter. Perhaps the largest church in the world, it is used for most of the chief religious ceremonies in which the Popes participate. Its official name is "Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican. It is also where the Throne of Peter or the Cathedra Petri. Elegantly crafted and placed in the Holy see with four golden pillars around it.

The 3rd basilica is the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls also known as the Ostian Basilica, because situated on the road that led to Ostia, is built over the burial place of Paul the Apostle. Its official name is "Papal Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls" the 4th is The St. Mary Major, also called the Liberian basilica, because the original building (not the present one) was attributed to Pope Liberius, is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary , whence its name of Saint Mary Major, i.e. the Greater. Its official name is "Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Article by: Edward "Paka" Occeno