In total isolation and convened by the older cardinal of the Cardinal College, the conclave is the choice process in which the cardinals, designated by the potatoes, meet in absolute confidentiality to make key decisions about the future of the Church. Its main objective is to choose the new Supreme Pontiff.
From Latin cum and Claviswhich means “with a key” or “locked”, the conclave is a closed door in which the cardinals deliberate in an atmosphere of fasting and prayer to decide the future of the Catholic Church after the resignation or death of a maximum representative.
Father Rodolfo Rodríguez Chinchilla explained that, in the absence of a leader in the Catholic Church, the highest authorities of the religious community must be immediately convened to carry out the election process known as conclavewithin the period called vacant headquarters.
Fray Edwin Alvarado explained that this meeting is held behind closed doors, preventing the exit of the cardinals until a consensus on the new pontiff is reached, thus avoiding any type of external interruption.
Experts in theology explain that this process is carried out when the Pope dies, resigns or when the Supreme Pontiff summons a meeting to discuss matters of great relevance to the Church.
In the case of death, Father Rodríguez commented that “the Church cannot be left without a leader, therefore, the Vatican immediately summons all the world’s cardinals to participate in the conclavethe process by which the new Supreme Pontiff is chosen. ”
How does the conclave work?
The isolation meeting to choose the world leader of the Catholic Church was established by Pope Gregory X in 1274, with the aim of eliminating external influences that could affect the vote of the voting cardinals.
His decision to locked religious representatives arose after his own election extended almost three years. To avoid future delays, he ordered the isolation of the cardinals without access to food, water or contact with the outside, thus accelerating the process and guaranteeing their secret.
As established in Catholic.netafter the voluntary resignation of the Pope or his death, the oldest cardinal must urgently summon a meeting in the Sistine Chapel, setting a period of 15 days after the declaration of the period of the period of vacant headquarters.
Fray Edwin Alvarado emphasizes that this time allows cardinals around the world to travel to Rome and leave their affairs in order. In case some in front of health problems, the term can be extended up to 20 days.
Upon arrival, the cardinals are staying in the Domus Santa Marta And, in the Basilica of San Pedro, they celebrate a special morning mass before entering the conclave.
Cardinals with the right to vote must enter the Paulina chapel to sing the Veni Creator Spiritusa hymn with which they invoke the guide of the Holy Spirit in the election process.
With the call Extra omnes – “Everyone out!” – The exit of those who are not part of the conclave is ordered, and the cardinals are locked up to the new Pope.
During this period, the cardinals participate in liturgies and electoral rounds until reaching a unanimous agreement or until two thirds of the votes designate the next Supreme Pontiff, which does not usually occur in the first votes.
At the end of each round, the cardinals announce the result through the smoke of a fireplace: the black smoke indicates that there has been no consensus, while the white smoke confirms the choice of a new Pope.
Choice within the conclave
After the aforementioned protocols, the cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel must take an oath, committing not to disseminate information about the process.
The first day, the voters perform a single voting round, after the deacon randomly chooses nine cardinals in charge of organizing the electoral process: three act as scrutineers, three collect the votes and three are responsible for telling them.
During the vote, each cardinal writes on a ballot the name of the person who considers indicated to preside over the Church. With the vote high, each voter addresses the urn and pronounces: “I witness Christ Lord, who will judge me, that I give my vote to whom, in the presence of God, I think it must be chosen”.
Subsequently, the designated cardinals carry out the voting votes and determine whether the required majority of two thirds have been reached. If it is not achieved, the first day concludes with that only vote.
In the following days, up to four wrapping rounds are made by day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon, until reaching the necessary consensus for the election of the new Pope.
Smoked as a decision signal
During the choice process, cardinals must announce the result of each round without revealing details. To do this, they burn ballots in a special fireplace. If the smoke that emerges is black, it means that a consensus has not been reached.
On the contrary, if the smoke is white, it indicates that the Church has a new Pontiff.
To achieve the clear distinction of the colors, specific chemicals are used that stain smoke. This practice was implemented because, in the past, the grayish smoke generated confusion among the faithful.
What happens after the choice of a Pope in the conclave?
When a candidate obtains more than two thirds of the votes, the dean of the cardinal electors approaches him and asks if he accepts his canonical choice as the high pontiff. If you accept, you must choose the name with which you will direct the Church.
After being chosen, the new Pope goes to the call Tearsa small stay where papal habits are placed for the first time. It is believed that this name comes from the moment of reflection in which the pontiffs become fully aware of the great responsibility they have just assumed.
Once dressed, the Pope goes to the central balcon Urbi et Orbi.