Papal conclave
Overview
The Papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a new Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope. The term 'conclave' originates from the Latin phrase 'cum clave', meaning 'with a key', signifying that the cardinals are locked in until they have chosen a new pope.
History
The history of the papal conclave is intertwined with the history of the papacy itself. The process of electing a new pope has evolved significantly over the centuries, from the informal gathering of bishops in the early Church to the highly structured and secretive process we know today.
Early Church
In the early Christian Church, the Bishop of Rome was chosen by the clergy and the people of Rome. This practice continued until the 11th century when it was formalized by Pope Nicholas II in 1059 with the papal bull 'In Nomine Domini'. The bull restricted the electors to the cardinals, effectively ending the influence of the Roman nobility and the Holy Roman Emperor in papal elections.
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, the process of papal election was often marred by political interference and corruption. The most notorious example of this is the contested election of 1378, which led to the Western Schism, a split within the Catholic Church that lasted for nearly 40 years.
Modern Conclaves
The rules governing modern conclaves were established by Pope Paul VI in 1975 and later amended by Pope John Paul II in 1996. These rules stipulate that a two-thirds majority is required for election, and if no candidate receives this majority after several rounds of voting, a simple majority is sufficient.
Procedure
The procedure of a papal conclave is a complex process that involves several stages, including the death or resignation of the reigning pope, the 'sede vacante' period, the gathering of the cardinals, the conclave itself, and the announcement of the new pope.
Sede Vacante
The period between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of his successor is known as the 'sede vacante', Latin for 'the seat being vacant'. During this time, the governance of the Church is in the hands of the College of Cardinals.
Gathering of the Cardinals
Upon the death or resignation of the Pope, all eligible cardinals are summoned to Rome. They are required to wait for 15 days for all cardinals to arrive, but no longer than 20 days.
Conclave
The conclave begins with a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, followed by a procession into the Sistine Chapel. Each cardinal takes an oath of secrecy, after which the 'extra omnes' order is given, and all individuals not involved in the conclave are expelled. The voting then begins, with each cardinal writing the name of his chosen candidate on a ballot paper.
Announcement
Once a cardinal has received the required majority, he is asked if he accepts his election. If he does, he chooses a papal name, and the senior cardinal deacon appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to announce the 'Habemus Papam' - 'We have a Pope'.
Significance
The papal conclave is one of the oldest and most enduring institutions in the world. It is a unique event that combines ancient traditions with modern practices. Its significance lies not only in its role in electing the spiritual leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics but also in its broader influence on global politics and culture.