FOR THE JOURNEY

POPE FRANCIS, SUCCESSION AND THE CONCLAVE

On the first Monday of Easter, our Holy Father, Pope Francis was taken home to the Father. The Catholic community is in deep mourning, but his passing also left many throughout the world desolate. Francis’ twelve year legacy was the daily living as a model of Christ’s love and striving to bring that love to the poor and disenfranchised, those marginalized and ostracized by their communities, those who had never experienced the love of Christ. We witnessed his attention to those imprisoned physically, emotionally and spiritually. He worked at bringing Church hierarchy back to the heart of Christ’s mission, warning the episcopate against clericalism and urging them to more pastoral approaches with the people of God.
Francis’ astonishing quote, ”Who am I to judge?” was a declaration of his intent to shift the tone and priorities of the Church - to become open to dialogue, inclusion and social justice. He challenged world leaders to be proactive in caring for the environment and to become more focused on the migrant situation throughout the world. Under Francis, the Church became more focused on compassion, outreach and humility.

But what happens now? There are century old rituals that will guide the Church in finding the next Pope. Without a pope in place, the Vatican is overseen by the chamberlain or “camerlengo,” currently Fr. Kevin Farrell, who announced the pope’s death, sealed the papal apartment, destroyed the pope’s ring and seal. Along with the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Re, Fr. Farrell planned the funeral for the pope and prepared for the Conclave - the Cardinals that gather in Rome to elect the new pope. The Conclave must convene within 15-20 days of the pope’s passing. It was announced that the Conclave to elect Francis’ successor will begin on May 7.

The Conclave gathers at the Vatican and begins the process of choosing, from among their ranks, the next pope. It is a secretive and ritual filled process. The Cardinals are not permitted any contact with the outside world, all electronic devices are restricted and the members of the Conclave are isolated in their rooms within the Vatican, except when they gather daily in the Sistine Chapel to debate, discuss and vote. This occurs every day until the next pope is elected. The secrecy is so imperative that any violation results in immediate excommunication. Each Cardinal receives a ballot with the words, in Latin, “I elect as supreme pontiff”. They write their choice on the paper, fold it in half and take to the front of the chapel where, once it is verified it is properly filled out, they place it in a receptacle declaring, “I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected.”

Once everyone has voted, three designated Cardinals read the votes out loud and tally them. A two-thirds majority is required. If no one is elected on the first ballot, the process repeats. This continues as long as necessary. The longest Conclave ran for two years and 10 months, from 1268-1271, supposedly due to significant political disagreement and argument among the Cardinals. However, it is very rare for that to happen; Pope Francis was elected after 5 ballots - in less than 24 hours.

Over the next few weeks, pray for the Cardinals that have gathered in Rome to choose the next pope - that the Holy Spirit, the moving force within the Conclave and the Church - inspires them to elect a man who is holy and of God’s heart and mind.

Cathy Pressimone
EMCC Parish Life Coordinator
Master Catechist