(By Fr. Jomon Thattamattam SVD)
The Pope’s election compared to any other election in the world has so many specialities. One who is raised to the post of Pope will have three designations. First he will be the predecessor of St Peter the apostle. He will be the head of the Catholic Church, which has a membership of 113.5 crore Catholics all over the world. He will be the Archbishop of Rome. He will be the Head of the Vatican state. (It can be said that there is no other election as curiously watched by all the five continents). It is very interesting as well as full of procedures. Through an apostolic decree called (Universi Dominici Gregis) Blessed Pope John Paul II, on 22nd February, 1996, had modified the election of the Pope or the Head of the Church. Accordingly, the election of the present Pope, Benedict XVI was conducted.
In the past, only after the death of a Pope, does the election procedure for a new pope is conducted. But this time it is a different case as his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has resigned and is alive until the election of the next pope. In the absence of a Pope, there will be a cardinal of Kamerlenko rank, who will be the administrator of the Church, till a new Pope takes charge. He will be leading the election process of the new Pope. He will be assisted by three cardinals, who will be elected every third day. In order to find out the new Pope there will be a ‘conclave’ of the cardinals. (Cardinal = prince of the church) In the past, it was held fifteen days after the demise of the Pope. It was precisely to await the arrival of all the cardinals from different parts of the world. The maximum period extended was twenty days. Before they enter the Conclave Hall, the cardinals had to make an oath, promising that they will very strictly follow the election procedures and keep the confidentiality of this election process. If anybody breaks this oath, he will be dismissed from the post of cardinal and collegiality of the cardinals.
After the oath, till the election of the new Pope they will have no contact with the world outside. So strict is the rule of the Catholic Church during these days that cardinals stay in Saint Martha’s Hostel adjoined to the Cistine Chapel. (Two years ago this author had the privilege of visiting this Cistine Chapel in Rome.)
Right to vote: Cardinals, who have not completed eighty years of ages on the day of Pope’s death or last day in the office, have the right to vote. This was implemented in 1975 during the reign of Pope Paul VI. The maximum numbers of cardinals who have the right to vote are limited to 120. The college of cardinals set apart certain days only for prayer prior to the election of the Pope . This is precisely to know the will of God, to elect the right cardinal to lead the church in the right direction as Pope.
The ‘Kamerlenko’ cardinal, assisted by other three elected cardinals then start the election process of the new Pope in a very prayerful atmosphere. There is absolutely no discussion or canvassing for the election of the Pope. Once the assigned time for prayer is completed the cardinals who have gathered in the Cistine Chapel Hall will be given the ballot papers.
Eligio Insemu Pontificam: In the ballot paper in Latin it will be written, “Eligio Insemu Pontificam……….” (This means I choose…………….. as the Pope) Each cardinal after writing the name of the would-be Pope the cardinals secretly, fold the ballot paper. Thereafter each cardinal raises the ballot paper, holds it high, and approaches the altar, the place where the catholic Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and offer Holy Mass. There will be cardinals who are selected as returning officers; at the altar they stand with covered Jars. In front of the alter, the voting cardinals declares publicly that Jesus as my eternal judge and semi witness I have voted to the person whom I felt to be elected before God, as the Head of the church .
Thereafter, they put the ballot paper in a plate and put into the jar. Subsequently, one by one bow before the altar of God and return to their respective seats. After having completed these processes by all the cardinals, the returning officers shake the jar, turn by turn and mix the ballot paper. The next step is to count the ballot papers and to declare the result. Simultaneously, the returning officers open the ballot paper and record the votes each Cardinal received. Every name which came on the ballot paper is read twice loudly by each returning officer and recorded on special papers. The last returning officer after having read similarly stitches together with needle and thread. The needle is poked on the top of the Latin word ‘ELIGIO’. After having completed the counting of votes, the cardinal who gets two third majorities is declared pope.
After each process of counting of the votes the ballot papers are burnt. After every counting of votes, when the process is completed and no pope is elected the ballot papers are burnt with straw. To this effect there is a special chimney inside the chapel. Its smoke pipe is open to the outside world, so that everybody can see. Along with straw and some special chemicals when the ballot papers are burnt the black smoke comes out. Its sign that pope is not elected yet. It continues till white smoke comes out in a similar manner. The white smoke is a happy sign that the new pope is elected and the church bells at Vatican also will be rung simultaneously.
Till the two third majority is not reached, this process will continue for three days. On the first day it will be in the afternoon. The rest of the day after prayer, it will be done thrice a day. Similarly, when the pope is not elected after seven rounds, the election process will be given a break or holiday. On the fourth day, again, the cardinals will fully immerse in total silent prayer and meditation, to know the will of God. On the fifth day the election process commences again. In this way, even after thirty rounds of election process, if no cardinal gets two thirds majority, the one who gets simple majority will be elected and declared the new pope.
As soon as the new pope is elected, the junior cardinal brings the secretary of the College of Cardinals and master of papal Liturgical celebrations to the hall. Thereafter, on behalf of all the cardinals the Dean asks the consent of the newly elected pope. As soon as, he gives his consent the Dean officially asks him, by which name he would like to be known as pope. [E.g.: The outgoing pope’s name was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, but he took the name of Pope Benedict XVI]. As soon as he gives his new name, he no more remains a cardinal, but automatically becomes the pope. Immediately, all the cardinals declare their fidelity and loyalty to the new pope and to the Catholic Church. Thereafter, he is dressed in the official Dress of the pope, that is –‘White Vestments and Tiara’.
The senior most Cardinal among the Cardinals in the hall comes to the Vatican balcony and informs the faithful and the world, ‘Hebemus Papum’ (it means we have received a pope). Following this, the new pope comes to the papal balcony and gives his official message and blessing to the faithful and to the world.
(The writer is Director, SVD House, Seppa, Arunachal Pradesh)