This Word Means: Conclave

WHO IS THE POPE?

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the visible head of the Catholic Church, which regards Jesus Christ as its invisible head. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, and his office is called the Papacy. The papacy oversees the Holy See, the central governing body of the Church and Vatican City, which enjoys formal diplomatic relations with other nations.

AND WHAT IS THE CONCLAVE?

It is the secret electoral process to determine the next pope.

According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, over 180 cardinals arrived in Rome and took part in the first of the daily congregational meetings on Monday morning, of which 100 were cardinal electors.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?

Only cardinals aged under 80 years are eligible to vote, making 135 such cardinals eligible. At least one cardinal has confirmed he will not be attending the conclave.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CONCLAVE?

On May 7, the cardinal electors from all over the world will participate in the Mass Pro Eligendo Papa, a solemn Eucharistic ceremony where they will take the oath of secrecy. The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, who presides over this ceremony, will proclaim “extra, omnes” (“Those who are extra, leave”).

After this, eligible cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican to participate in the papal conclave. They will be disconnected from all outside information to ensure the process is free from any influence, in a process comparable to jury duty in the US.

The cardinals will vote in several rounds to elect the new pope until a single candidate enjoys a two-thirds majority. For each round that does not yield a pope, the cardinals will release black smoke from the chapel; upon the election of a new pope, white smoke will be emitted.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A NEW POPE IS ELECTED?

Once a candidate with a two-thirds majority is elected, the Dean, currently Cardinal Giovanni Batista Re, will ask him if he accepts the outcome, and to choose a name. Popes have traditionally chosen names that honour a saint or a predecessor.

The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations functions as a notary in the presence of two Ceremonial Officers to draft the acceptance document and record the chosen name. This official record is the starting point for the newly elected Pope to assert his supreme authority over the Church.

All the Cardinal electors pay homage and pledge their obedience to the new pope, giving thanks to God.

A representative from the College of Cardinals will stand on the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica and announce “Habemus papam” (Latin for “We have a pope”) to the gathered crowd of faithful. The new pope, dressed in a white cassock, will then deliver his first address to the public from the balcony.