Today, May 7, the conclave to elect the new Pope, the successor to St. Peter, begins today, May 7.the successor of St. Peter, following the Easter of Pope Francis. To understand in depth this key moment for the Church, Friar Daniel Medina, OARvicar of Argentina of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova and dean of the Faculty of Canon Law of the UCA, offered on Radio Maria Argentina a clear, serene and profoundly formative interview. In it he explained, from the ecclesial and juridical experience, the step by step of this event that mobilizes millions of Catholics.
A time of pain and gratitude
At the beginning of the conversation, Friar Daniel expressed his sorrow for the departure of Pope Francis. pain for the departure of Pope Francis, whom he knew closely and from whom he received a Vatican appointment.He had known him closely and received a Vatican appointment from him. “He was a father to all of us,” he affirmed. At the same time, he acknowledged the worldwide recognition towards his figure, his openness and his pastoral work: “He will go down in history for his closeness, his magisterium and his commitment to peace”.
What happens before the conclave?
The process does not begin directly with voting. Friar Daniel explained that the first step is the general congregationsmeetings in which all the cardinals participate – even those over 80 years of age – to reflect and organize the process. Only then, on the day of the conclave, do the cardinal electors enter the conclave. cardinal electorsthat is, those who are less than 80 years old.
Before voting begins, the cardinals attend a special Mass for the attend a special Mass and perform a and take a solemn solemn oath of absolute secrecy of absolute secrecy about everything that happens during the conclave, a promise they must they must keep for life..
How do you vote in a conclave?
Friar Daniel clearly explained that the election procedure is thoroughly regulated by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. minutely regulated by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, promulgated by St. John Paul II and reformed by his successors.promulgated by St. John Paul II and reformed by his successors. The current system establishes that in order to be elected Pope, a cardinal must obtain a qualified majority of two-thirds of the votes cast..
For example, if 120 cardinals -the maximum allowed- participate, 80 votes will be needed for a valid election. 80 votes for a valid election. This high quorum seeks to ensure the maximum possible consensus around the new Successor of Peter..
“Votes are cast on individual ballots, handwritten by each cardinal. They are then carefully folded and deposited in a ballot box during the solemn vote.”
Each day, a maximum of four votes can be four votestwo in the morning and two in the afternoon. If after several days the required majority is not reached, the rules of procedure provide that the number of candidates may be limited or the system may be changed, but always preserving the essential principle of free and secret election. the essential principle of free and secret election..
“One cannot elect by acclamation or by lot, as was done in centuries past. Each election must be the fruit of personal and communal discernment, not of improvisation.”
The votes are counted by three cardinals, called tellerswho also read aloud each written name. Then, a verification is done by other auxiliary cardinals, called revisorswho ensure the correctness of the process.
Once the new Pope is elected, he is asked in secret:
“Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”
If you accept, you are invited to choose your papal nameand at that moment he officially becomes Pope. Only then is he announced to the world with the classic formula: “Habemus Papam”.
A more international conclave than ever
One of the novelties of this conclave is its truly universal composition. truly universal composition. “We have cardinals from countries that previously had no representation, such as Paraguay, Uruguay or Tonga,” noted Friar Daniel. This responds to Pope Francis’ desire to to make the Churches of the peripheries more visiblebeyond the political power or the number of faithful.
“It is an evangelical note that shows the catholicity of the Church,” he added. He also acknowledged that this diversity may make the process drawn out, given that many cardinals know little about each other.
What about cell phones?
A curiosity of interest to many: cardinals must leave their phones outside. Any form of communication with the outside world is forbidden, and technical measures are taken to ensure this. Excommunication is automatic for anyone who breaks this secrecy.
“There is no possibility of receiving or sending messages, not even photos. Confidentiality is total.”
The Holy Spirit at the heart of the process
Friar Daniel insisted that, beyond the juridical aspect, the conclave is an act of faith. an act of faith. “We do not elect the head of state of the Vatican. We elect the successor of Peter, the Vicar of Christ. That is the key to everything,” he explained. That is why, the prayer of all of God’s people is fundamental in these days.
“The Holy Spirit acts, but he does it also through dialogue, discernment and the meeting of the cardinals. It is not something magical, it is an ecclesial and human process.”
A call to prayer and hope
With clear and firm words, Friar Daniel Medina offered an authentic catechesis on the conclave. catechesis on the conclave.. His intervention is an invitation to the faithful to live this moment in prayer and unity. to live this moment in prayer and unitywith our eyes fixed on Christ, the one Shepherd of the Church.
“Our mission now is to pray, to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten the cardinals, and to trust that God will continue to guide his Church.”