How Pope Benedict XVI was elected by the Conclave, 2005-APR-19

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Who selects a pope?

Popes have been selected by the Roman Catholic Church's college of cardinals since the early 12th century. This was established as official policy of the Church at the Lateran Council III in 1179 CE.

The pope is elected in a process called a "conclave." The word "conclave" is derived from two Latin words which mean "with a key." It refered to the past practice of locking the cardinals in a somewhat confined space -- lately the Sistine Chapel -- and not allowing them to emerge until they have elected a new pope. On 1996-FEB-22, Pope John Paul II updated the rules governing the conclave. The cardinals will no longer be confined to the Sistine Chapel, day and night, throughout the entire election process. They will be assigned comfortable living quarters in suitable locations within the Vatican.

Only those members of the College of Cardinals who have not reached their 80th birthday are allowed in the conclave. They currently constitute a group of about 120 men. Almost all have been personally selected by Pope John II. Conclaves have a history of selecting unexpected cardinals as the next pope.

The election of Pope John Paul II:

Pope John Paul I reigned for only 33 days, from 1978-AUG-26 to SEP-28. His is believed to have died from a pulmonary embolus due to an untreated blood problem.

On 1978-OCT-14, 111 cardinals went into the conclave to elect his successor. For the first time, the number of European cardinals was surpassed by the number of non-European cardinals. There were 55 Europeans (including 26 Italians), 19 Latin Americans, 13 North Americans, 12 Africans, 9 Asians and 4 from Oceania. Joseph Cardinal Siri and Giovanni Cardinal Benelli were allegedly an early favorites. However, neither was able to receive sufficient votes. The impasse was resolved on the eighth ballot when a compromise candidate, Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, 58, of Poland was elected pope on 1978-OCT-16. He chose the name John Paul II. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. ₁

Pope John Paul II died on 2005-APR-02 at 9:37 PM (2:37 PM EST) in his private apartment in Rome. Two of the intimate group who were at John Paul II's bedside when he died say that his final word was "amen" (may it be so).

The election of Pope Benedict XVI:

In 1970, Pope Paul VI issued a decree which declared that cardinals over the age of 80 could not take part in a conclave. It was considered a revolutionary development at the time. Alfredo Cardinal Ottaviani, 80 years old at the time, described the decision as "absolutely unheard of, arbitrary, revolutionary, in contempt of a centuries-old tradition." ₂

In 1975, Pope Paul VI issued new legislation concerning the conclave which introduced new security regulations, required the cardinals to recite terrifying oaths, and required that cardinals would normally enter the conclave alone. In the past, cardinals were allowed to have one or two "conclavists" -- secretary-assistants -- to accompany him in the conclave. He could have three if he was ill. Under the new regulations, only seriously ill cardinals could have an assistant, and then only if they could prove that they needed serious medical attention. ₃

Pope John Paul II issued  his apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis in 1996. "He abolished any provision for election by acclamation or by any means other than secret ballot." He also made other changes relating to voting procedures and accommodation for the Cardinals.

The procedure for electing a pope is now:

References used:

1. Peter & Margaret Hebblethwaite, "The Next Pope," HarperSanFrancisco, (2000), Page 71. Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
2. Ibid, Page 52.
3. Ibid, Page 54.
4. Ibid, Page 56 to 60.

Copyright © 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally posted: 2005-APR-04
Latest update: 2005-APR-21
Author: B.A. Robinson