The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, but at the time of the Pope's death and the election of a fresh 1 attracts the attention of the full world. Although the conclave is the most celebrated component of this process, the full procedure is much more extensive. Based on centuries-old tradition, and at the same time strictly regulated by canon law, it includes rituals, administrative formalities, as well as a minute of deep reflection for the Catholic Church.
Below we present what has been happening in the Vatican since the death of the Pope until the election of his successor.
1. Confirmation of the Pope's death
It all starts erstwhile the incumbent Pope dies. The authoritative confirmation of death belongs to the pope's individual physician, but the most crucial point of the protocol is the confirmation of death by Camerlengo (kardina kamlinga). Currently, his function is, among others, the message of death of the head of the Church. In the past there was a ritual of calling the pope by name and light hammering in his forehead – present it is simply a symbolic tradition, which is replaced by more modern medical procedures.
Camerlengo secures the papal ringing (the ringing of Rybak) – destroys it in the presence of another dignitaries to prevent false papers that could be signed with the seal of the pope. At the same time, it informs the College of Cardinals about death and the sediswakancy begins – time without the pope.
2. Ten days of mourning
For 10 days after the Pope's death, there is an authoritative mourning. regular ceremony Masses are held – the alleged novendiales – during which the Church prays for the deceased pope and at the same time prepares spiritually to choose a fresh one.
The ceremony of the pope usually takes place between the 4th and sixth days after his death. Traditionally, it takes place in St Peter's Square and attracts thousands of believers and heads of states from all over the world. After the ceremony, the body of the Pope is laid in graves under St Peter's Basilica.
3. Church Management in Sediswakant
At a time erstwhile the Holy See is unfilled, the full Vatican administration takes over the earlier mentioned Camerlengo. However, he has no right to make decisions which only the pope had. He may manage current cases, but he must not, for example, appoint bishops or change the laws of the Church. The intent of this rule is to prevent an individual from influencing the future choice.
All the most crucial offices of the Roman Curia (meaning the central administration of the Church) cease to function – there stay only dicasters, who deal with the day-to-day service of the Church and only to the degree necessary.
4. Conclave Convocation
Between the 15th and 20th day after the Pope's death, a conclave is called – a closed assembly of cardinals whose task is to elect a fresh pope. The number of cardinal-electors (i.e. those who have the right to vote) must not exceed 120 and must be little than 80 years old on the day the conclave begins. The Conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel. Cardinals are in complete isolation from the planet – they cannot contact the media, the Internet, telephones. It's about ensuring full decision autonomy.
5. Conclave run
Conclave begins with a mass of Pro eligendo Romano Pontifice – a prayer for the right choice. The Cardinals then go to the Sistine Chapel, where they curse a secret and begin voting.
A maximum of 4 votes are held each day – 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. To choose the Pope, the candidate must get two-thirds of the vote. If this fails in the first days, the conclave continues. If no choice is reached after a fewer days, days of prayer and reflection may take place.
After each vote, ballots are burned – if not chosen, black smoke is lifted from the oven (stimulations are mixed with chemicals to make it clearly black). White smoke means a fresh pope has been elected.
6. Habemus Papam – we have the Pope
When a candidate gets the required two-thirds of the vote, something symbolic and groundbreaking happens. The cardinal dean (or eldest of the current cardinals) asks the chosen one: “Do you accept the election as Pope?”. If the candidate agrees, he is asked what name he will accept as the fresh pope.
It is then dressed in white sutanna – usually there are 3 sizes prepared earlier – and introduced into a peculiar room: “Peace of Tears”. This is simply a place where the fresh Pope can halt for a while, pray and think about what awaits him. After a while, he comes out to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. Cardinal Protodeacon announces:
“Annuntio vobis Gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” – I am announcing to you a large joy: we have the Pope!
The fresh Pope appears on the balcony and gives the first blessing to Urbi et Orbi – the city and the world.
7. What happens after the election?
The fresh Pope begins his pontificate immediately after accepting the choice. Within a fewer days there is simply a solemn inauguration – not coronation, due to the fact that the papal crowns are no longer used. Since John Paul I the inauguration takes place in a simpler form – the most crucial minute is the imposition of the palius and the handing of the Rybak ring.
The fresh Pope meets the faithful, members of the Roman Curia, representatives of the states and begins his ministry – spiritual and administrative. At the same time, he looks at who will accompany him as his closest co-workers.
8. Case of Pope's resignation – Benedict XVI
It is worth noting that death is not the only thing that can start sediswacant. In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI resigned from office – this was the first case in over 600 years. Although the formalities were somewhat different (because the pope himself announced the date of the end of his pontificate), the remainder of the procedures – from sediswacant to conclave – looked very similar.
9. The Meaning of Time Without the Pope
The period between popes is not only unique in the organizational way. This is the minute erstwhile the Church stops for a while – the faithful around the planet pray for a wise choice, and the cardinals search not only a leader, but a spiritual father, who will lead the community for years to come. It is besides a minute erstwhile the eyes of the planet focus on the Vatican, and all motion and word matters.
The trial since the death of the Pope to choose his successor in the Vatican is simply a mixture of ritual, tradition and responsibility. Although it sounds like a strict protocol, it is actually a time of large spiritual and symbolic significance. Cardinals face a hard task – the choice of a individual who will become a spiritual leader of over a billion people.
It's not just a vote. It is simply a decision that affects the destiny of the Church, its direction, relations with another religions and the world. That is why this time – from the death of the Pope to ‘Habemus Papam’ – is 1 of the most crucial moments in the life of the Vatican and the full Catholic community.
