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Quotation |
Before
Papal Election / While See is Vacant
Also See:
Papal Conclave (Topic Page)
Note:
Items herein are for reference purposes only. Note that items are not necessarily current and
may be subject to change. |
"Can. 359 When the Apostolic See is vacant, the
college of cardinals possesses only that power in the Church which is
attributed to it in special law." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"Can. 335 When
the Roman See is vacant or
entirely impeded, nothing is to be altered in the governance of the
universal Church; the special laws issued for these circumstances,
however, are to be observed." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"Can. 340 If the Apostolic See should become
vacant during the celebration of the Council, it is by virtue of the law
itself suspended until the new Supreme Pontiff either orders it to
continue or dissolves it." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"If
the
office of Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church or that of Major
Penitentiary should happen to be vacant when the pope dies or should
fall vacant before his successor is elected, the Sacred College of
Cardinals should, as soon as possible, elect a cardinal (or cardinals)
to fill the office (offices) until the election of a new pontiff."
(Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"We decree that in every city and in other places
as well, at least in the more important ones, as soon as news of the
pope's death arrives and again after his solemn funeral rites have been
celebrated humble and persevering prayers should be offered to God that
he would enlighten the minds of the electors and bring them into an
agreement which will result in a quick, unanimous and fruitful election,
such as the salvation of souls and the good of the whole Catholic world
require." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, laws
issued by the Roman Pontiffs can in no way be corrected or modified, nor
can anything be added or subtracted, nor a dispensation be given even
from a part of them, especially with regard to the procedures governing
the election of the Supreme Pontiff. Indeed, should anything be done or
even attempted against this prescription, by my supreme authority I
declare it null and void." (Pope John Paul II)
"While the Apostolic See is vacant, the
government of the Church is in the hands of the Sacred College of
Cardinals but only for ordinary business and other matters that cannot
be postponed and for the preparations required for the election of a new
Pontiff. In making such preparations, the College is bound by the
provisions of this constitution and by the limitations it imposes.
During the period in question, therefore, the Sacred College has no
authority or jurisdiction in questions that were reserved to the Supreme
Pontiff while he was alive; decisions in all such matters must be left
solely to the future Pontiff." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the
College of Cardinals has no power or jurisdiction in matters which
pertain to the Supreme Pontiff during his lifetime or in the exercise of
his office; such matters are to be reserved completely and exclusively
to the future Pope... During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the
government of the Church is entrusted to the College of Cardinals solely
for the dispatch of ordinary business and of matters which cannot be
postponed, and for the preparation of everything necessary for the
election of the new Pope." (Pope John Paul II)
"If the Apostolic See should become vacant during
the celebration of an Ecumenical Council or of a Synod of Bishops being
held in Rome or in any other place in the world, the election of the new
Pope is to be carried out solely and exclusively by the Cardinal
electors indicated in No. 33, and not by the Council or the Synod of
Bishops. For this reason I declare null and void acts which would in any
way temerariously presume to modify the regulations concerning the
election or the college of electors. Moreover, in confirmation of the
provisions of Canons 340 and 347 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law and of
Canon 53 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches in this regard, a
Council or Synod of Bishops, at whatever point they have reached, must
be considered immediately suspended ipso iure, once notification is
received of the vacancy of the Apostolic See. Therefore without any
delay all meetings, congregations or sessions must be interrupted, and
the preparation of any decrees or canons, together with the promulgation
of those already confirmed, must be suspended, under pain of nullity of
the same. Neither the Council nor the Synod can continue for any reason,
even though it be most serious or worthy of special mention, until the
new Pope, canonically elected, orders their resumption or
continuation." (Pope John Paul II)
"All the officials and staff, clerical or lay, of
the conclave, as well as all the conclavists, if there are any, are to
take an oath, in Latin or some other language; it is to be administered
by the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, once he has made sure that
each of them clearly understands the importance of the oath and the
meaning of the formula. One or two days before entering into the
conclave, in the presence of the secretary of the conclave and the
master of pontifical ceremonies, who have been delegated for the purpose
by the Camerlengo (in whose presence they themselves had earlier taken
the oath), the officials and others are to pronounce the following
formula in the national language suitable for them: 'I, ..., promise and
swear that I will preserve an inviolate secrecy concerning each and
every action taken and decree passed in the meetings of the cardinals
with regard to the election of the new pontiff, and concerning
everything done in the conclave or place of election that directly or
indirectly has to do with the balloting, and concerning everything that
I shall in any way come to know. Neither directly nor indirectly, by
gesture or word or writing or in any other way, shall I violate this
secrecy. I also promise and swear that in the conclave I shall not use
any kind of transmitter or receiver or any photographic equipment - this
under pain of automatic excommunication reserved in a very special way
to the Apostolic See, if I violate this precept. I shall preserve this
secrecy with scrupulous care even after the election of the new pontiff,
unless he grants me special permission and explicit authorization. I
likewise promise and swear that I shall in no way aid in or favor any
interference, protest or other action by which civil authorities of any
order or rank or any groups of persons or any individuals try to take a
hand in the election of the pontiff. So help me God and these holy
Gospels of God which I touch with my hand.'" (Pope Paul VI, 1975) "In conformity with the provisions of No. 52, the
Cardinal Dean or the Cardinal who has precedence by order and seniority,
will read aloud the following formula of the oath: We, the Cardinal
electors present in this election of the Supreme Pontiff promise, pledge
and swear, as individuals and as a group, to observe faithfully and
scrupulously the prescriptions contained in the Apostolic Constitution
of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, Universi Dominici Gregis, published
on 22 February 1996. We likewise promise, pledge and swear that
whichever of us by divine disposition is elected Roman Pontiff will
commit himself faithfully to carrying out the munus Petrinum of Pastor
of the Universal Church and will not fail to affirm and defend
strenuously the spiritual and temporal rights and the liberty of the
Holy See. In a particular way, we promise and swear to observe with the
greatest fidelity and with all persons, clerical or lay, secrecy
regarding everything that in any way relates to the election of the
Roman Pontiff and regarding what occurs in the place of the election,
directly or indirectly related to the results of the voting; we promise
and swear not to break this secret in any way, either during or after
the election of the new Pontiff, unless explicit authorization is
granted by the same Pontiff; and never to lend support or favour to any
interference, opposition or any other form of intervention, whereby
secular authorities of whatever order and degree or any group of people
or individuals might wish to intervene in the election of the Roman
Pontiff. Each of the Cardinal electors, according to the order of
precedence, will then take the oath according to the following formula:
And I, N. Cardinal N., do so promise, pledge and swear. Placing his hand
on the Gospels, he will add: So help me God and these Holy Gospels which
I touch with my hand." (Pope John Paul II)
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Papal Election
/ Conclave
Also See:
Papal Conclave (Topic Page)
Note:
Items herein are for reference purposes only. Note that items are not necessarily current and
may be subject to change. |
"The ballot should be rectangular in shape,
longer than it is wide; at the upper center should appear the words
(printed, if possible): Eligo in Summum Pontificem (I choose as Supreme
Pontiff), with room below for writing a name; thus, the ballot is so
arranged that it can be folded in two" (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"I therefore decree that for the valid election
of the Roman Pontiff two thirds of the votes are required, calculated on
the basis of the total number of electors present. Should it be
impossible to divide the number of Cardinals present into three equal
parts, for the validity of the election of the Supreme Pontiff one
additional vote is required." (Pope John Paul II)
"Conclave means the carefully determined place, a
kind of sacred retreat, where, after asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten
them, the cardinal electors choose the Supreme Pontiff, and where the
cardinals and other officials and staff, together with the conclavists,
if there be any, remain day and night until the election is complete,
and do not communicate with persons and things outside, in accordance
with the [applicable] modalities and norms." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"[I]n view of the sacredness of the act of election
and thus the need for it to be carried out in an appropriate setting
where, on the one hand, liturgical actions can be readily combined with
juridical formalities, and where, on the other, the electors can more
easily dispose themselves to accept the interior movements of the Holy
Spirit, I decree that the election will continue to take place in the
Sistine Chapel, where everything is conducive to an awareness of the
presence of God, in whose sight each person will one day be
judged." (Pope John Paul II)
"The Conclave for the election of the Supreme
Pontiff shall take place within the territory of Vatican City, in
determined areas and buildings, closed to unauthorized persons in such a
way as to ensure suitable accommodation for the Cardinal electors and
all those legitimately called to cooperate in the orderly functioning of
the election. By the time fixed for the beginning of the election of the
Supreme Pontiff, all the Cardinal electors must have been assigned and
must have taken up suitable lodging in the Domus Sanctae Marthae,
recently built in Vatican City." (Pope John Paul II)
"While it is indeed a doctrine of faith that the
power of the Supreme Pontiff derives directly from Christ, whose earthly
Vicar he is, it is also certain that this supreme power in the Church is
granted to him 'by means of lawful election accepted by him, together
with episcopal consecration'. A most serious duty is thus incumbent upon
the body responsible for this election. Consequently the norms which
regulate its activity need to be very precise and clear, so that the
election itself will take place in a most worthy manner, as befits the
office of utmost responsibility which the person elected will have to
assume, by divine mandate, at the moment of his assent." (Pope John
Paul II)
"For the whole duration of the election, the
Cardinal electors are required to refrain from written correspondence
and from all conversations, including those by telephone or radio, with
persons who have not been duly admitted to the buildings set aside for
their use...The Cardinal electors are likewise to refrain from receiving
or sending messages of any kind outside Vatican City; naturally it is
prohibited for any person legitimately present in Vatican City to
deliver such messages. It is specifically prohibited to the Cardinal
electors, for the entire duration of the election, to receive newspapers
or periodicals of any sort, to listen to the radio or to watch
television." (Pope John Paul II)
"We also decree that no letters or writings of
any kind, even printed, are to be sent either to those in the conclave,
including the cardinal electors, or especially from the conclave to
persons outside, unless they have in each and every case been carefully
examined by the secretary of the conclave and the prelate assigned to
guard the conclave. The only exception to this rule is the
correspondence between the Tribunal of the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary
and the Cardinal Major Penitentiary who is in the conclave; such
correspondence is to be free and unhindered, and the letters, bearing
the seal of office, are not subject to examination and inspection. We
also explicitly forbid the sending of newspapers and periodicals into or
out of the conclave." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"The Scrutineers add up all the votes that each
individual has received, and if no one has obtained two thirds of the
votes on that ballot, the Pope has not been elected; if however it turns
out that someone has obtained two thirds of the votes, the canonically
valid election of the Roman Pontiff has taken place. In either case,
that is, whether the election has occurred or not, the Revisers must
proceed to check both the ballots and the notes made by the Scrutineers,
in order to make sure that these latter have performed their task
exactly and faithfully. Immediately after the checking has taken place,
and before the Cardinal electors leave the Sistine Chapel, all the
ballots are to be burnt by the Scrutineers, with the assistance of the
Secretary of the Conclave and the Masters of Ceremonies who in the
meantime have been summoned by the junior Cardinal Deacon. If however a
second vote is to take place immediately, the ballots from the first
vote will be burned only at the end, together with those from the second
vote." (Pope John Paul II)
"The third and last stage is the postscrutinial
stage. It includes (1) the counting of the total votes for each
candidate, (2) the verification of the votes, (3) the burning of the
ballots. The examiners count up the votes each candidate has received.
If no one receives two thirds of the votes plus one, no Pope is elected
on that ballot. If someone does receive two thirds plus one, there has
been a canonically valid election of a Roman Pontiff. Whether or not
there has been an election, the controllers must inspect both the
ballots and the listing of the votes by the examiners, so as to
determine whether the latter have faithfully and accurately carried out
their duties. Immediately after this verification and before the
cardinal electors leave the room, all the ballots are to be burned by
the examiners with the help of the secretary of the conclave and the
masters of ceremonies, whom the junior cardinal deacon has meanwhile
summoned for the purpose. If however, a second balloting is to take
place immediately, the first set of the ballots is to be burned at the
end, that is, along with the second set of ballots." (Pope Paul VI,
1975)
"After a careful examination, the conclave is
locked from the outside and the inside by the prefect of the pontifical
household, the special delegate of the pontifical commission for Vatican
City, and the prefect of the Papal Swiss Guards, in the presence of the
dean of the clerical prelates of the Reverend Apostolic Chamber, as well
as of the secretary-chancellor of the latter (who is deputed for the
purpose by Cardinal Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church) and the masters
of ceremonies and the architects. The keys are entrusted to the special
delegate of the pontifical commission for Vatican City...Separate
records are made of the exterior and interior lockings. One is drawn up
by the master of pontifical ceremonies and signed by the secretary of
the conclave and the master of pontifical ceremonies himself (acting as
notary), with two masters of ceremonies as witnesses. The other record
is drawn up by one of the clerical prelates of the Reverend Apostolic
Chamber, who is deputed for this by the Cardinal Camerlengo of the Holy
Roman Church; this is done in the office of the special delegate of the
pontifical commission for Vatican City, and signed by the prefect of the
pontifical household, the special delegate himself, and the prefect of
the Papal Swiss Guards." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"The Shepherd of the Lord's whole flock is the
Bishop of the Church of Rome, where the Blessed Apostle Peter, by
sovereign disposition of divine Providence, offered to Christ the
supreme witness of martyrdom by the shedding of his blood. It is
therefore understandable that the lawful apostolic succession in this
See, with which 'because of its great pre-eminence every Church must
agree', has always been the object of particular attention. Precisely
for this reason, down the centuries the Supreme Pontiffs have deemed it
their special duty, as well as their specific right, to establish
fitting norms to regulate the orderly election of their Successor. Thus,
also in more recent times, my Predecessors Saint Pius X Pius XI Pius XII
John XXIII and lastly Paul VI each with the intention of responding to
the needs of the particular historical moment, issued wise and
appropriate regulations in order to ensure the suitable preparation and
orderly gathering of the electors charged, at the vacancy of the
Apostolic See, with the important and weighty duty of electing the Roman
Pontiff. If I too now turn to this matter, it is certainly not because
of any lack of esteem for those norms, for which I have great respect
and which I intend for the most part to confirm, at least with regard to
their substance and the basic principles which inspired them."
(Pope John Paul II)
"The third and ordinary method or form for
electing a Roman Pontiff is by casting ballots. Here We fully confirm
the rule determined long ago and subsequently observed with scrupulous
care, that a two-thirds majority is required for the valid election of a
Roman Pontiff. We also wish to keep in force the norm established by Our
predecessor Pius XII, that the majority must always be two-thirds plus
one.. Balloting involves three stages. The first, or prescrutinial,
stage includes: (1) the preparation and distribution of ballots; this is
done by the masters of ceremonies who are to give at least two or three
ballots to each cardinal elector; (2) the choice by lot (with all the
cardinal electors participating) of three examiners (scrutatores), three
deputies to take care of the votes cast by the sick (infirmarii), and
three controllers (recognitores); the lots are to be drawn by the
lowest-ranking cardinal deacon who shall pull in order the names of the
nine who are to be assigned these various duties; (3) the writing of the
ballots, which is to be done secretly by each cardinal elector; he shall
write down the name of his choice, making his handwriting unrecognizable
as far as possible; he must not write more than one name on a ballot or
his vote is nullified; (4) the folding of the ballot in half, so that it
is reduced in width to about an inch." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"Finally, I have deemed it necessary to revise
the form of the election itself in the light of the present-day needs of
the Church and the usages of modern society. I have thus considered it
fitting not to retain election by acclamation quasi ex inspiratione,
judging that it is no longer an apt means of interpreting the thought of
an electoral college so great in number and so diverse in origin. It
also appeared necessary to eliminate election per compromissum, not only
because of the difficulty of the procedure, evident from the unwieldy
accumulation of rules issued in the past, but also because by its very
nature it tends to lessen the responsibility of the individual electors
who, in this case, would not be required to express their choice
personally. After careful reflection I have therefore decided that the
only form by which the electors can manifest their vote in the election
of the Roman Pontiff is by secret ballot, in accordance with the rules
set forth... This form offers the greatest guarantee of clarity,
straightforwardness, simplicity, openness and, above all, an effective
and fruitful participation on the part of the Cardinals who,
individually and as a group, are called to make up the assembly which
elects the Successor of Peter. With these intentions, I promulgate the
present Apostolic Constitution containing the norms which, when the
Roman See becomes vacant, are to be strictly followed by the Cardinals
whose right and duty it is to elect the Successor of Peter, the visible
Head of the whole Church and the Servant of the servants of God."
(Pope John Paul II)
"If the cardinal electors cannot agree on the
person to be elected, then, after they have cast their votes in vain for
three days according to the prescribed manner..., one day is to be
allowed to pass without voting. The purpose is that the electors may pray
to God and converse freely among themselves and that the senior cardinal
deacon may deliver a short spiritual exhortation. The balloting is then
begun anew, following the same method. If no election occurs, seven
ballotings are to be conducted. Then there is to be another interruption
for prayer, discussion and an exhortation by the senior cardinal priest.
Seven more ballotings, according to the prescribed manner, are then to
be conducted if seven are needed. If these fail to produce an election,
prayers are once more offered to God, the electors are to discuss the
matter and the senior cardinal bishop is to deliver an exhortation to
the electors. At this point, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church is
to consult with the electors on procedure. The usual plan requiring two
thirds of the votes plus one for a successful balloting is not to be
abandoned unless the cardinal electors unanimously, without any
dissenting voice, agree to another plan. This other plan may be the
method of compromise (cf. no. 64) which requires only an absolute
majority plus one or else a vote in which there are only two candidates,
namely, the two who received the most votes in the immediately preceding
balloting." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"After all the ballots of the Cardinal electors
have been placed in the receptacle, the first Scrutineer shakes it
several times in order to mix them, and immediately afterwards the last
Scrutineer proceeds to count them, picking them out of the urn in full
view and placing them in another empty receptacle previously prepared
for this purpose. If the number of ballots does not correspond to the
number of electors, the ballots must all be burned and a second vote
taken at once; if however their number does correspond to the number of
electors, the opening of the ballots then takes place in the following
manner. The Scrutineers sit at a table placed in front of the altar. The
first of them takes a ballot, unfolds it, notes the name of the person
chosen and passes the ballot to the second Scrutineer, who in his turn
notes the name of the person chosen and passes the ballot to the third,
who reads it out in a loud and clear voice, so that all the electors
present can record the vote on a sheet of paper prepared for that
purpose. He himself writes down the name read from the ballot. If during
the opening of the ballots the Scrutineers should discover two ballots
folded in such a way that they appear to have been completed by one
elector, if these ballots bear the same name they are counted as one
vote; if however they bear two different names, neither vote will be
valid; however, in neither of the two cases is the voting session
annulled. When all the ballots have been opened, the Scrutineers add up
the sum of the votes obtained by the different names and write them down
on a separate sheet of paper. The last Scrutineer, as he reads out the
individual ballots, pierces each one with a needle through the word
Eligo and places it on a thread, so that the ballots can be more
securely preserved. After the names have been read out, the ends of the
thread are tied in a knot, and the ballots thus joined together are
placed in a receptacle or on one side of the table. There then follows
the third and last phase, also known as the post-scrutiny, which
comprises: 1) the counting of the votes; 2) the checking of the same; 3)
the burning of the ballots." (Pope John Paul II)
"In the event that the Cardinal electors find it
difficult to agree on the person to be elected, after balloting has been
carried out for three days in the form described...without result,
voting is to be suspended for a maximum of one day in order to allow a
pause for prayer, informal discussion among the voters, and a brief
spiritual exhortation given by the senior Cardinal in the Order of
Deacons. Voting is then resumed in the usual manner, and after seven
ballots, if the election has not taken place, there is another pause for
prayer, discussion and an exhortation given by the senior Cardinal in
the Order of Priests. Another series of seven ballots is then held and,
if there has still been no election, this is followed by a further pause
for prayer, discussion and an exhortation given by the senior Cardinal
in the Order of Bishops. Voting is then resumed in the usual manner and,
unless the election occurs, it is to continue for seven ballots. If the
balloting [still] does not result in an election..., the Cardinal
electors shall be invited by the Camerlengo to express an opinion about
the manner of proceeding. The election will then proceed in accordance
with what the absolute majority of the electors decides. Nevertheless,
there can be no waiving of the requirement that a valid election takes
place only by an absolute majority of the votes or else by voting only
on the two names which in the ballot immediately preceding have received
the greatest number of votes; also in this second case only an absolute
majority is required. Should the election take place in a way other than
that prescribed in the present Constitution, or should the conditions
laid down here not be observed, the election is for this very reason
null and void, without any need for a declaration on the matter;
consequently, it confers no right on the one elected." (Pope John
Paul II)
"Should the election begin on the afternoon of
the first day, only one ballot is to be held; then, on the following
days, if no one was elected on the first ballot, two ballots shall be
held in the morning and two in the afternoon... The voting process is
carried out in three phases. The first phase, which can be called the
pre-scrutiny, comprises: 1) the preparation and distribution of the
ballot papers by the Masters of Ceremonies, who give at least two or
three to each Cardinal elector; 2) the drawing by lot, from among all
the Cardinal electors, of three Scrutineers, of three persons charged
with collecting the votes of the sick, called for the sake of brevity
Infirmarii, and of three Revisers; this drawing is carried out in public
by the junior Cardinal Deacon, who draws out nine names, one after
another, of those who shall carry out these tasks; 3) if, in the drawing
of lots for the Scrutineers, Infirmarii and Revisers, there should come
out the names of Cardinal electors who because of infirmity or other
reasons are unable to carry out these tasks, the names of others who are
not impeded are to be drawn in their place. The first three drawn will
act as Scrutineers, the second three as Infirmarii and the last three as
Revisers. For this phase of the voting process the following norms must
be observed: 1) the ballot paper must be rectangular in shape and must
bear in the upper half, in print if possible, the words Eligo in Summum
Pontificem; on the lower half there must be a space left for writing the
name of the person chosen; thus the ballot is made in such a way that it
can be folded in two; 2) the completion of the ballot must be done in
secret by each Cardinal elector, who will write down legibly, as far as
possible in handwriting that cannot be identified as his, the name of
the person he chooses, taking care not to write other names as well,
since this would make the ballot null; he will then fold the ballot
twice; 3) during the voting, the Cardinal electors are to remain alone
in the Sistine Chapel; therefore, immediately after the distribution of
the ballots and before the electors begin to write, the Secretary of the
College of Cardinals, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations and
the Masters of Ceremonies must leave the Chapel. After they have left,
the junior Cardinal Deacon shall close the door, opening and closing it
again each time this is necessary, as for example when the Infirmarii go
to collect the votes of the sick and when they return to the Chapel. The
second phase, the scrutiny proper, comprises: 1) the placing of the
ballots in the appropriate receptacle; 2) the mixing and counting of the
ballots; 3) the opening of the votes. Each Cardinal elector, in order of
precedence, having completed and folded his ballot, holds it up so that
it can be seen and carries it to the altar, at which the Scrutineers
stand and upon which there is placed a receptacle, covered by a plate,
for receiving the ballots. Having reached the altar, the Cardinal
elector says aloud the words of the following oath: I call as my witness
Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one
who before God I think should be elected. He then places the ballot on
the plate, with which he drops it into the receptacle. Having done this,
he bows to the altar and returns to his place. If any of the Cardinal
electors present in the Chapel is unable to go to the altar because of
infirmity, the last of the Scrutineers goes to him. The infirm elector,
having pronounced the above oath, hands the folded ballot to the
Scrutineer, who carries it in full view to the altar and omitting the
oath, places it on the plate, with which he drops it into the
receptacle." (Pope John Paul II) "Therefore
[the holy general synod of Basel] renews
the constitutions about the election of Roman pontiffs which sacred
councils and supreme pontiffs have issued and it adds to them some
further salutary norms. It decrees that whenever the apostolic see falls
vacant, all the cardinals of the holy Roman church who are present in
the place where the election of the supreme pontiff is to be held, shall
meet together on the tenth day after the see becomes vacant in some
chapel or place near the conclave. From there they shall process behind
a cross, two by two, devoutly singing the Veni Creator Spiritus, and
enter the place of the conclave, each taking with him not more than two
necessary attendants. In view of the ceremonies, two clerics may also be
admitted, at least one of whom shall be a notary. The chamberlain
together with the deputies for the custody of the conclave shall ensure
that nobody, apart from the aforesaid persons, enters the conclave.
After the cardinals have entered and the doors have been closed, the
chamberlain shall enter with the deputies and carefully examine the
cells of all the cardinals. He shall remove any food and edibles found
there, except medicines of the sick and infirm. He shall ensure a
careful guard whenever he leaves and closes the door, and each day he
shall closely inspect the food being brought in for the cardinals and
allow only what seems necessary for moderate refreshment, without
prejudice to the decrees passed in the fourth and seventh sessions of
this sacred council. On the next day all the cardinals, in the presence
of all those in the conclave, shall hear a mass of the Holy Spirit and
receive the Eucharist. Before the voting begins, they shall swear before
the holy gospels in these words: I, N., cardinal of..., swear and
promise to almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and to blessed
Peter, prince of the apostles, that I shall elect as pontiff the person
who I think will be beneficial to the universal church in both spiritual
and temporal matters and suitable for so great a dignity; I shall not
give my vote to anyone who I have reason to think is directly or
indirectly aiming at getting himself elected, by his promising or giving
some temporal thing or by asking in person or through another or in any
other way whatsoever; and I shall not make obeisance to anyone elected
as pontiff before he takes the oath prescribed by this council of Basel;
so help me God, to whom on the day of tremendous judgment I shall have
to give an account of this oath and all my deeds After this each
cardinal shall submit a ballot-card, on which he shall nominate a
maximum of three persons. If he nominates more than one person, the
second and third persons shall be from outside the college of cardinals.
There shall not be more than one ballot on any day and it shall be held
immediately after the mass. When the ballot-cards have been read, they
shall be burnt straightaway unless two-thirds of the votes are for the
same person. No approach shall be made to anyone until six ballots have
been completed. During this time let the cardinals reflect and seriously
ponder how much merit or loss to themselves, how much fruit or damage to
the Christian people, how much good or evil, they will be causing by
their choice of a pontiff. There is nothing, indeed, by which they can
more merit the grace or the wrath of our Lord Jesus Christ than when
they are setting his vicar over his sheep, which he loved so much as to
suffer the torments of the cross and to die for them." (Council of
Basel) "The second stage is that of the balloting
proper. It comprises (1) the placing of the ballots in an urn, (2) the
mixing and counting of the ballots and (3) the announcement of the vote.
After writing and folding his ballot, each Cardinal elector, in order of
precedence, shall raise his hand so that he may be seen and take his
ballot to the altar where the examiners are stationed and on which
stands an urn, covered with a dish, ready to receive the ballots. At the
altar the cardinal elector is to kneel, pray for a moment, rise and in a
loud voice swear: 'I call Christ the Lord, my judge, to witness that I
am voting for the one whom, in the Lord, I think should be elected.'
Then he puts the ballot on the plate and slides it into the urn;
whereupon he bows to the altar and returns to his place. If a cardinal
elector present in the chapel is hindered by weakness from going to the
altar, the last-chosen examiner goes to him. The elector, having taken
the oath, gives the folded ballot to the examiner who carries it so that
all can see it, takes it to the altar and, without any prayer or oath,
puts it on the dish and slides it into the urn... After all the cardinal
electors have placed their ballots in the urn, the first examiner shakes
it several times to mix up the ballots, then the third examiner
immediately counts them, drawing them one by one from the urn and
placing them in an empty receptacle set there for the purpose. If the
number of ballots does not correspond to the number of electors, they
are all to be burned and a second balloting is to be begun. If the
number of ballots is correct, the results of the balloting are made
known in the following manner. The examiners sit at a table in front of
the altar. The first examiner takes a ballot, opens it and, having seen
the name written on it, hands it to the second examiner, who in turn
sees the name and hands the ballot to the third examiner. The latter
reads the name aloud in a clear voice so that all the electors present
can record the vote on a sheet of paper ready for the purpose. The third
examiner also records the name he has read from the ballot. If, in
making the results of the voting known, the examiners find two ballots
so folded in together that they appear to have been put into the urn by
the same person, the two votes are to be regarded as one if they are for
the same person. Neither is valid if they are for different persons. In
any case, the balloting as a whole is not invalidated. Once the ballots
have been made public, the examiners total up the votes received by each
candidate and record them on a separate page. The third examiner, as he
reads each ballot, puts a threaded needle through it at the word eligo,
as a way of carefully preserving each in turn. Once all the names have
been read, the ends of the thread are knotted together and the ballots
thus tied in a bunch are placed in an empty urn or at one side of the
table." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
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/ Papal Legates | Rome
/ Italy / The Vatican | Papal
Duties / Concerns | Vatican
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After
a Papal Election
Also See:
The Pope (Topic Page)
Note:
Items herein are for reference purposes only. Note that items are not necessarily current and
may be subject to change. |
"Finally, the new pontiff is to be crowned by the
senior cardinal deacon. Within a suitable period, he is also to take
possession, in the prescribed manner, of the Patriarchal Archbasilica of
the Lateran." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"After the solemn ceremony of the inauguration of
the Pontificate and within an appropriate time, the Pope will take
possession of the Patriarchal Archbasilica of the Lateran, according to
the prescribed ritual." (Pope John Paul II)
"We decree that immediately
after the new Supreme Pontiff has been elected and has given his assent,
and after he has been ordained a bishop if need be the conclave is ended
as far as its canonical effects are concerned. Therefore We decree that
the newly elected Supreme Pontiff may now be approached by the
substitute secretary of state (papal secretary), the secretary of the
council for the public affairs of the Church, the prefect of the
pontifical household, and others who must consult with the new pope on
immediately pressing matters." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"Once the formalities have been observed in
accordance with the Order of Sacred Rites for a Conclave, the cardinal
electors come forward in their proper order to offer homage and
obedience to the newly elected Supreme Pontiff. When this has been done,
thanks are given to God. The senior cardinal deacon tells the waiting
people of the new pope, and the latter immediately gives the Apostolic
Blessing Urbi et Orbi (to the City [of Rome] and the World). If the
newly elected pope lacks the episcopal character, homage and obedience
is offered to him, but the people are told of the election only after he
has been ordained a bishop." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"Can. 332 §1 The Roman Pontiff acquires full and
supreme power in the Church when, together with episcopal consecration,
he has been lawfully elected and has accepted the election. Accordingly,
if he already has the episcopal character, he receives this power from
the moment he accepts election to the supreme pontificate. If he does
not have the episcopal character, he is immediately to be ordained
Bishop. §2 Should it happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns from his
office, it is required for validity that the resignation be freely made
and properly manifested, but it is not necessary that it be accepted by
anyone." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
"After a canonically valid election, the junior
cardinal deacon summons into the conclave assembly hall the secretary of
the conclave, the master of pontifical ceremonies and the masters of
ceremonies. The cardinal dean or the cardinal senior in order and age,
acting in the name of the whole electoral college, asks the consent of
the person elected, in these words: 'Do you accept your canonical
election as Supreme Pontiff?' As soon as the person elected declares his
consent, he is asked: 'What name do you wish to bear?' Then the master
of pontifical ceremonies, acting as notary, with two masters of
ceremonies as witnesses, makes a record of the new pope's acceptance and
his choice of name. After his acceptance, the person elected, if he be a
bishop, is straightway bishop of Rome, true pope, and head of the
episcopal college. He possesses and can exercise full and supreme power
over the universal Church. If, however, the elected person does not
possess the episcopal character, he is to be immediately ordained a
bishop." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"Since the Roman pontiff exercises such great
power among mortals, it is right that he be bound all the more by the
incontrovertible bonds of the faith and by the rites that are to be
observed regarding the church's sacraments. We therefore decree and
ordain, in order that the fullness of the faith may shine in a future
Roman pontiff with singular splendour from the earliest moments of his
becoming pope, that henceforth whoever is to be elected Roman pontiff
shall make the following confession and profession in public, in front
of his electors, before his election is published. In the name of the
holy and undivided Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. In the
year of our Lord's nativity one thousand etc., I, N., elected pope, with
both heart and mouth confess and profess to almighty God, whose church I
undertake with his assistance to govern, and to blessed Peter, prince of
the apostles, that as long as I am in this fragile life I will firmly
believe and hold the Catholic faith, according to the traditions of the
apostles, of the general councils and of other holy fathers, especially
of the eight holy universal councils - namely the first at Nicaea, the
second at Constantinople, the third at Ephesus, the fourth at Chalcedon,
the fifth and sixth at Constantinople, the seventh at Nicaea and the
eighth at Constantinople - as well as of the general councils at the
Lateran, Lyons and Vienne, and I will preserve this faith unchanged to
the last dot and will confirm, defend and preach it to the point of
death and the shedding of my blood, and likewise I will follow and
observe in every way the rite handed down of the ecclesiastical
sacraments of the Catholic Church... This my profession and
confession...I have signed
below with my own hand. I sincerely offer it on this altar to you,
almighty God..." (Council of Constance, Profession to
be made by the Pope)
"When the election has canonically taken place,
the junior Cardinal Deacon summons into the hall of election the
Secretary of the College of Cardinals and the Master of Papal Liturgical
Celebrations. The Cardinal Dean, or the Cardinal who is first in order
and seniority, in the name of the whole College of electors, then asks
the consent of the one elected in the following words: Do you accept
your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff? And, as soon as he has
received the consent, he asks him: By what name do you wish to be
called? Then the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, acting as
notary and having as witnesses two Masters of Ceremonies, who are to be
summoned at that moment, draws up a document certifying acceptance by
the new Pope and the name taken by him. After his acceptance, the person
elected, if he has already received episcopal ordination, is immediately
Bishop of the Church of Rome, true Pope and Head of the College of
Bishops. He thus acquires and can exercise full and supreme power over
the universal Church. If the person elected is not already a Bishop, he
shall immediately be ordained Bishop. When the other formalities
provided for in the Ordo Rituum Conclavis have been carried out, the
Cardinal electors approach the newly-elected Pope in the prescribed
manner, in order to make an act of homage and obedience. An act of
thanksgiving to God is then made, after which the senior Cardinal Deacon
announces to the waiting people that the election has taken place and
proclaims the name of the new Pope, who immediately thereafter imparts
the Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi from the balcony of the Vatican
Basilica." (Pope John Paul II) "The holy synod decrees that the person elected
as pope is obliged to express his consent to the election in the manner
stated below. It is fitting that this consent should be made to the
cardinals, if the person elected is present in the curia, or to one of
the cardinals or someone mandated by them if he is not present there, in
the presence of a notary and at least ten persons. After he has been
informed of the election, he is bound to act within a day of the demand.
If he does not do so, his election is annulled and the cardinals must
proceed in the Lord's name to another election. But if he expresses his
consent, as stated above, the cardinals shall straightaway make due
obeisance to him as supreme pontiff. Once the obeisance has been made by
the cardinals, nobody has any right to challenge his pontificate...[Form
of consent:] 'In the name of the holy and undivided Trinity, Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. I, N., elected pope, with both heart and mouth confess
and profess to almighty God, whose church I undertake with his
assistance to govern, and to blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, that
as long as I am in this fragile life I will firmly believe and hold the
catholic faith, according to the tradition of the apostles, of general
councils and of other holy fathers, especially of the eight holy
universal councils - namely the first at Nicaea, the second at
Constantinople, the third which was the first at Ephesus, the fourth at
Chalcedon, the fifth and sixth at Constantinople, the seventh at Nicaea
and the eighth at Constantinople - as well as of the general councils at
the Lateran, Lyons, Vienne, Constance and Basel, and to preserve intact
this faith unchanged to the last dot, and to defend and preach it to the
point of death and the shedding of my blood, and likewise to follow and
observe in every way the rite handed down of the ecclesiastical
sacraments of the church. I promise also to labor faithfully for the defense
of the Catholic faith, the extirpation of heresies and errors,
the reform of morals and the peace of the Christian people. I swear also
to continue with the holding of general councils and the confirmation of
elections in accordance with the decrees of the holy council of Basel. I
have signed this profession with my own hand; I offer it on the altar
with a sincere mind to you almighty God, to whom on the day of
tremendous judgment I shall have to give an account of this and all my
deeds; and I will repeat it at the first public consistory.' So that
this salutary institution may not fade from the supreme pontiff's memory
with the passage of time, every year on the anniversary of his election
or of his coronation, the first cardinal present shall, during mass,
publicly and in a loud voice address the supreme pontiff thus: Most holy
father, may your holiness heed and carefully ponder the promise which
you made to God on the day of your election. He shall then read out the
promise and shall continue as follows: May your holiness, therefore, for
the honor of God, for the salvation of your soul and for the good of
the universal church, strive to observe to your utmost all these things
in good faith and without guile or fraud. Recall whose place it is that
you hold on earth, namely of him who laid down his life for his sheep,
who thrice asked the blessed Peter if he loved him, before he entrusted
his sheep to him, and who, as the just judge whom nothing secret
escapes, will exact from you an account of everything to the very last
farthing. Remember what blessed Peter and his successors as pontiffs
did: they thought only of the honor of God, the spread of the faith,
the public good of the church and the salvation and benefit of the
faithful; finally, imitating their master and Lord they did not hesitate
to lay down their lives for the sheep entrusted to them. Do not lay up
for yourself or your kinsfolk treasures on earth, where moth and rust
consume and where thieves and robbers break in, but lay up for yourself
treasure in heaven. Do not be an accepter of persons or of blood-ties or
of homeland or of nation. All people are children of God and have been
equally entrusted to your care and safe-keeping. Say after the example
of Christ: Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my
brother and sister and mother. In distributing dignities and benefices
put before yourself neither the flesh nor gifts nor anything temporal at
all, but solely God and the virtues and merits of people. Exercise
ecclesiastical discipline in correcting faults, mindful of what grace
Phinehas merited and what punishment Eli, the one for avenging injuries
to God, the other for pretending not to know them. Defend, help and
support the poor and needy. Show a fatherly charity to all. After the
solemnities of his coronation, and each year after the anniversary of
his election, the supreme pontiff shall carefully discuss with his
brethren, for at least eight consecutive days, how he shall carry out
his solemn promises to God. In the first place, therefore, he should
examine where in the world the Christian religion is being persecuted by
Turks, Saracens, Tartars and other infidels; where heresy or schism or
any form of superstition flourishes, in which provinces there has been a
decline in morals and observance of the divine precepts and in the right
way of living, in both ecclesiastical and secular matters, where
ecclesiastical liberty is infringed; among which kings, princes and
peoples enmity, wars and fears of war are rife; and like a dutiful
father he should strive with his brethren carefully to provide
remedies." (Council of Basel)
Also
See: The
Church Rests on St. Peter | Infallibility
| Laws
of Previous Pontiffs Do Not Become Obsolete if Not Expressly Confirmed
by Successors | No
Authority Not Emanating From the Holy See / Christ | Obedience
/ Disobedience / Assent | The
Papacy is Indestructible / Perpetual | Papal
Duties / Concerns | Papal
Primacy / Supremacy | Papal
Solicitude | Popes
as Preservers of Tradition / Against New Doctrines | Prayers
For the Pope | Preservation
of Truth / Unity | Rome
/ Italy / The Vatican | Those
Who Wander From the Apostolic See Wander From the Church | The
Visible Church | Vatican
Facts
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Misc.
Also See:
Papal Conclave (Topic Page)
Note:
Items herein are for reference purposes only. Note that items are not necessarily current and
may be subject to change. |
"Confirming therefore the norm of the current
Code of Canon Law (cf. Canon 349), which reflects the millennial
practice of the Church, I once more affirm that the College of electors
of the Supreme Pontiff is composed solely of the Cardinals of Holy Roman
Church." (Pope John Paul II)
"We also confirm the prescriptions of Our
predecessors which command that no one, even a cardinal, may, during the
Roman Pontiff's lifetime and without having consulted him, enter into
consultations about his successor or promise a vote or make decisions
regarding it in secret meetings." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"Confirming the prescriptions of my Predecessors,
I likewise forbid anyone, even if he is a Cardinal, during the Pope's
lifetime and without having consulted him, to make plans concerning the
election of his successor, or to promise votes, or to make decisions in
this regard in private gatherings." (Pope John Paul II)
"We ask him who shall be elected not to be
frightened by the seriousness of the office into refusing it when he is
called to it but to bow humbly to the divine will and plan. For God who
lays the burden on him also supports him so that he can carry the
burden. He who is the source of the burden also helps a man to cope with
it. He who bestows the dignity gives the weak man strength lest he
falter before the magnitude of the task." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"When the funeral rites for the deceased Pope
have been celebrated according to the prescribed ritual, and everything
necessary for the regular functioning of the election has been prepared,
on the appointed day - and thus on the fifteenth day after the death of
the Pope or, in conformity with the provisions of No. 37 of the present
Constitution, not later than the twentieth - the Cardinal electors shall
meet in the Basilica of Saint Peter's in the Vatican, or elsewhere,
should circumstances warrant it, in order to take part in a solemn
Eucharistic celebration with the Votive Mass Pro Eligendo Papa. This
celebration should preferably take place at a suitable hour in the
morning, so that in the afternoon the prescriptions of the following...can be carried out. From the Pauline Chapel of
the Apostolic Palace, where they will assemble at a suitable hour in the
afternoon, the Cardinal electors, in choir dress, and invoking the
assistance of the Holy Spirit with the chant of the Veni Creator, will
solemnly process to the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, where
the election will be held... The Sistine Chapel is therefore to remain
an absolutely enclosed area until the conclusion of the election, so
that total secrecy may be ensured with regard to everything said or done
there in any way pertaining, directly or indirectly, to the election of
the Supreme Pontiff." (Pope John Paul II)
"In the same way, I wish to confirm the
provisions made by my Predecessors for the purpose of excluding any
external interference in the election of the Supreme Pontiff. Therefore,
in virtue of holy obedience and under pain of excommunication latae
sententiae, I again forbid each and every Cardinal elector, present and
future, as also the Secretary of the College of Cardinals and all other
persons taking part in the preparation and carrying out of everything
necessary for the election, to accept under any pretext whatsoever, from
any civil authority whatsoever, the task of proposing the veto or the
so-called exclusiva, even under the guise of a simple desire, or to
reveal such either to the entire electoral body assembled together or to
individual electors, in writing or by word of mouth, either directly and
personally or indirectly and through others, both before the election
begins and for its duration. I intend this prohibition to include all
possible forms of interference, opposition and suggestion whereby
secular authorities of whatever order and degree, or any individual or
group, might attempt to exercise influence on the election of the Pope.
The Cardinal electors shall further abstain from any form of pact,
agreement, promise or other commitment of any kind which could oblige
them to give or deny their vote to a person or persons. If this were in
fact done, even under oath, I decree that such a commitment shall be
null and void and that no one shall be bound to observe it; and I hereby
impose the penalty of excommunication latae sententiae upon those who
violate this prohibition. It is not my intention however to forbid,
during the period in which the See is vacant, the exchange of views
concerning the election. I likewise forbid the Cardinals before the
election to enter into any stipulations, committing themselves of common
accord to a certain course of action should one of them be elevated to
the Pontificate. These promises too, should any in fact be made, even
under oath, I also declare null and void." (Pope John Paul II)
"We also confirm the decrees which Our
predecessors issued with a view to excluding all external intervention
in the election of the Supreme Pontiff. Therefore, again in virtue of
holy obedience and under pain of automatic excommunication We forbid the
cardinal electors, all and singly, present and future, as well as the
secretary of the conclave and all other participants in the conclave to
accept from any civil authority whosoever and under any pretext the
commission to propose a veto or 'exclusion,' even in the form of a
simple wish or to make such a veto known to the whole college assembled
or to individual electors, either in writing or orally, either directly
and in person or indirectly and through others, either before the
conclave or during it. We intend this prohibition to extend to every
form of interference, protest and wish by which secular authorities of
any order or rank or any groups of persons or any individuals may try to
take a hand in the election of a pontiff...The cardinal electors are
also to avoid all pacts, agreements, promises or any other commitments
by which they can be bound to vote or not vote for any individual or
individuals. We decree that any such agreements, even if made under
oath, are null and void and that no one is bound to honor them; and We
now impose an automatic excommunication on those who act against this
prohibition. We do not intend, however, to forbid the electors to
communicate their views on the election to one another while the see is
vacant. We also forbid the cardinals to make concessions before the
election, that is, to enter upon agreements which each party binds
himself to honor should he be elevated to the papacy. Again, We declare
any such promises to be null and void, even if made under oath."
(Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"If it happens - though may it not! - that a
schism arises in the future in such a way that two or more persons claim
to be supreme pontiffs, then the date of the council, if it is more than
a year off, is to be brought forward to one year ahead; calculating this
from the day on which two or more of them publicly assumed the insignia
of their pontificates or on which they began to govern. All prelates and
others who are bound to attend a council shall assemble at the council
without the need for any summons, under pain of the law's sanctions and
of other penalties which may be imposed by the council, and let the
emperor and other kings and princes attend either in person or through
official deputies, as if they had been besought, through the bowels of
the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to put out a common fire. Each of
those claiming to be the Roman pontiff is bound to announce and proclaim
the council as taking place at the end of the year, as mentioned, in the
previously assigned place; he is bound to do this within a month after
the day on which he came to know that one or more other persons had
assumed the insignia of the papacy or was administering the papacy; and
this is under pain of eternal damnation, of the automatic loss of any
rights that he had acquired in the papacy, and of being disqualified
both actively and passively from all dignities. He is also bound to make
the council known by letter to his rival claimant or claimants,
challenging him or them to a judicial process, as well as to all
prelates and princes, insofar as this is possible. He shall go in person
to the place of the council at the appointed time, under pain of the
aforesaid penalties, and shall not depart until the question of the
schism has been fully settled by the council. None of the contenders for
the papacy, moreover shall preside as pope at the council. Indeed, in
order that the church may rejoice more freely and quickly in one
undisputed pastor, all the contenders for the papacy are suspended by
law as soon as the council has begun, on the authority of this holy
synod, from all administration; and let not obedience be given in any
way by anyone to them, or to any one of them until the question has been
settled by the council." (Council of Constance)
"In the first General Congregations provision is
to be made for each Cardinal to have available a copy of this
Constitution and at the same time to have an opportunity to raise
questions about the meaning and the implementation of its norms. The
part of the present Constitution regarding the vacancy of the Apostolic
See should also be read aloud. At the same time the Cardinals present
are to swear an oath to observe the prescriptions contained herein and
to maintain secrecy. This oath, which shall also be taken by Cardinals
who arrive late and subsequently take part in these Congregations, is to
be read aloud by the Cardinal Dean or by whoever else presides over the
College by virtue of No. 9 of this Constitution, in the presence of the
other Cardinals and according to the following formula: We, the
Cardinals of Holy Roman Church, of the Order of Bishops, of Priests and
of Deacons, promise, pledge and swear, as a body and individually, to
observe exactly and faithfully all the norms contained in the Apostolic
Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul
II, and to maintain rigorous secrecy with regard to all matters in any
way related to the election of the Roman Pontiff or those which, by
their very nature, during the vacancy of the Apostolic See, call for the
same secrecy. Next, each Cardinal shall add: And I, N. Cardinal N., so
promise, pledge and swear. And, placing his hand on the Gospels, he will
add: So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I now touch with my
hand." (Pope John Paul II)
"Through this process of gradual change, the most
important role in the election of the Pope has been assigned to the
three major orders of the Roman clergy - bishops, priests and deacons -
who are called the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church. Their primary
role in the election of the Roman Pontiff was set forth in the
well-known decree In nomine Domini which Nicholas II promulgated at the
Roman synod of 1059.At the Third Lateran Council (1179) Alexander III
published the Constitution Licet de evitanda which definitely
established that the election is the prerogative solely of the College
of Cardinals who represent the Roman Church and that all other
participants are to be excluded. All later provisions have had as their
sole purpose to assure the effectiveness of this original manner of
electing the Roman Pontiff or to adapt it to new circumstances. The
tradition of the Roman Church makes it likewise clear that the college
to which is entrusted the duty of electing the Pontiff is permanent and
so constituted that if the Apostolic See happens to be vacant, the
college can continue to act. It cannot be denied that a previously
established body of electors is still required and that this body should
not have so many members that it cannot easily and quickly be assembled
(as becomes necessary at times in periods of difficulty for the Church
and the Supreme Pontificate). It is not permissible, therefore, that the
electors of the pope should themselves be elected or deputed only when
the Apostolic See has become vacant. Guided by these various
considerations, Our recent predecessors have preserved this ancient
manner of election in all its important fundamental aspects and have
safeguarded its exercise. At the same time, however, they have striven
to improve it by adapting it to new conditions. This is what Pius XII
did, for example, when he added a number of Fathers to the College of
Cardinals so that it might be more representative of the various nations
and Churches of the Catholic world. John XXIII had the same end in view
when he increased the number of members in the College and decreed that
they should all receive the rank of bishop. We Ourselves have already
acted in this area by publishing norms for the Sacred College of
Cardinals... We now judge it necessary to revise some points relating to
the election of a Pontiff, so that they may be appropriate in the
present situation and truly contribute to the good of the Church. We
also reassert, however, the principle that, in accordance with
long-standing tradition, the election of the Roman Pontiff is the
prerogative of the Church of Rome as represented by the Sacred College
of Cardinals." (Pope Paul VI, 1975)
"For the praise, glory and
honor of almighty God
and for the peace and unity of the universal church and of the whole Christian
people. The election of the future Roman and supreme pontiff
is soon to be held. We wish that it may be confirmed with greater
authority and by the assent of many persons and that, mindful as we are
of the state of the church, no doubts or scruples may later remain in
people's minds regarding the said election but rather that a secure,
true full and perfect union of the faithful may result from it.
Therefore this most holy general synod of Constance, mindful of the
common good and with the special and express consent and the united wish
of the cardinals of the holy Roman church present at the same synod, and
of the college of cardinals and of all the nations at this present
council, declares, ordains and decrees that, for this time only, at the
election of the Roman and supreme pontiff, there shall be added to the
cardinals six prelates or other honorable churchmen in holy orders,
from each of the nations currently present and named at the same synod,
who are to be chosen by each of the said nations within ten days. This
same holy synod gives power to all these people, insofar as it is
necessary, to elect the Roman pontiff according to the form here laid
down. That is to say, the person is to be regarded as the Roman pontiff
by the universal church without exception who is elected and admitted by
two-thirds of the cardinals present at the conclave and by two-thirds of
those from each nation who are to be and have been added to the
cardinals. Moreover, the election is not valid nor is the person elected
to be regarded as supreme pontiff unless two-thirds of the cardinals
present at the conclave, and two-thirds of those from each nation who
should be and have been added to the same cardinals, agree to elect him
as Roman pontiff. The synod also declares, ordains and decrees that the
votes of any persons cast at the election are null unless, as has been
said, two-thirds of the cardinals, and two-thirds of those from each
nation who should be and have been added to them, agree, directly or by
way of addition, upon one person. This must be added, moreover, that the
prelates and other persons who should be and have been added to the
cardinals for the election, are bound to observe all and singular
apostolic constitutions, even penal ones, which have been promulgated
regarding the election of the Roman pontiff, just as the cardinals
themselves are bound to observe them, and they are bound to their
observance. The said electors, both cardinals and others, are also bound
to swear, before they proceed to the election, that in attending to the
business of the election, they will proceed with pure and sincere minds
- since it is a question of [electing] the vicar of Jesus Christ, the
successor of the blessed Peter, the governor of the universal church and
the leader of the Lord's flock - and that they firmly believe it will
benefit the public good of the universal church if they entirely
prescind from all affection for persons of any particular nation, or
other inordinate affections, as well as from hatred and graces or favors
bestowed, in order that by their ministry a beneficial and
suitable pastor may be provided for the universal church. This same holy
synod, mindful of this notorious vacancy in the Roman church, fixes and
assigns the next ten days for all and singular cardinals of the holy
Roman church, whether present here or absent, and the other electors
mentioned above, to enter into the conclave which is to be held in this
city of Constance, in the commune's principal building which has already
been allocated for this purpose. The synod ordains, declares and decrees
that within these next ten days the aforesaid electors, both cardinals
and others mentioned above, must enter into the conclave for the purpose
of holding the election and of doing and carrying out all the other
matters according as the laws ordain and decree in all things, besides
those mentioned above regarding the cardinals and other electors,
concerning the election of a Roman pontiff. The same holy synod wishes
all these laws to remain in force after the above matters have been
observed. For this time, however, it approves, ordains, establishes and
decrees this particular form and manner of election. The same holy
synod, in order to remove all scruples, makes and declares fit for
actively and passively carrying out all legitimate acts at the same
synod, insofar as this is necessary, all those who are present at the
same synod as well as those who will come and adhere to it, always
saving the other decrees of this same sacred council, and it will supply
for any defects, if perchance any shall occur in the above,
notwithstanding any apostolic constitutions, even those published in
general councils, and other constitutions to the contrary."
(Council of Constance)
"We learn from the past how heavy are the losses
sustained by the Roman church in a long vacancy, how perilous it is; we
see this all too clearly when we wisely consider the crises undergone.
Reason therefore openly challenges us, while we devote ourselves skillfully
to the reform of lesser evils, certainly not to leave without
appropriate remedy those of greater danger. We judge therefore that
everything wisely instituted by our predecessors and especially by Pope
Alexander III of happy memory, for avoiding discord in the election of
the Roman pontiff, should remain altogether intact. We intend in no way
to detract from this legislation, but to supply by the present
constitution what experience has shown to be missing. With the approval
of the sacred council, we decree that if the pope dies in a city where
he was residing with his curia, the cardinals present in that city are
obliged to await the absent cardinals, but for ten days only. When these
days have passed, whether those absent have arrived or not, all are to
assemble in the palace where the pope lived. Each is to be content with
one servant only, clerical or lay, at choice. We allow however those in
evident need to have two, with the same choice. In this palace all are
to live in common in one room, with no partition or curtain. Apart from
free entry to a private room, the conclave is to be completely locked,
so that no one can enter or leave. No one may have access to the
cardinals or permission to talk secretly with them, nor are they
themselves to admit anyone to their presence, except those who, by
consent of all the cardinals present, might be summoned only for the
business of the imminent election. It is not lawful for anyone to send a
messenger or a written message to the cardinals or to any one of them.
Whoever acts otherwise, sending a messenger or a written message, or
speaking secretly to one of the cardinals, is to incur automatic
excommunication. In the conclave some suitable window is to be left open
through which the necessary food may be served conveniently to the
cardinals, but no entry for anyone is to be possible through this way.
If, which God forbid, within three days after the cardinals have entered
the said conclave, the church has not been provided with a shepherd,
they are to be content for the next five days, every day both at dinner
and supper, with one dish only. If these days also pass without the
election of a pope, henceforth only bread, wine and water are to be
served to the cardinals until they do provide a pope. While the election
is in process, the cardinals are to receive nothing from the papal
treasury, nor any other revenue coming from whatever source to the
church while the see is vacant. Everything during this period remains in
the custody of him to whose faithfulness and care the treasury has been
entrusted, to be kept by him for the disposal of the future pope. Those
who have accepted something are obliged from then on to abstain from
receiving any of the revenues due to them until they have made full
restitution of what they have accepted in this way. The cardinals are to
devote their time so carefully to hastening the election as to occupy
themselves with no other business whatever unless perhaps there occurs
such an urgent necessity as the defense of the states of the church or
some part of them, or there be threat of such a great and evident danger
that it seems to each and all the cardinals present, by general consent,
that they should quickly counteract it... we implore the cardinals
through the tender mercy of our God, and we call them to witness through
the sprinkling of his precious blood, that they consider very carefully
what they are about to do. They are electing the vicar of Jesus Christ,
the successor of Peter, the ruler of the universal church, the guide of
the Lord's flock. They are to lay aside all the disorder of private
affection, to be free from any bargain, agreement or pledge; they are
not to consider any promise or understanding, to have no regard for
their mutual advantage or that of their friends. They are not to look
after their own interests or their individual convenience. Without any
constraint on their judgment other than God, they are to seek purely and
freely the public good, with the election alone in mind. They are to use
every endeavor and care that is possible. Their one aim is to provide,
by their service and speedily, what is so useful and necessary for the
whole world, a fitting spouse for the church. Those who act otherwise
are subject to the divine retribution, their fault never to be pardoned
except after severe penance." (Second Council of Lyons)
Also
See: The
Church Rests on St. Peter | Infallibility
| Necessity
of a Teaching Authority | Necessity
of Union With the Roman Pontiff | The
Papacy is Indestructible / Perpetual | Papal
Duties / Concerns | Papal
Primacy / Supremacy | Popes
as Preservers of Tradition / Against New Doctrines | Preservation
of Truth / Unity | Rome
/ Italy / The Vatican | The
Visible Church | Vatican
Facts
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