The Newsroom

Election of the New Pope

(April 2005)

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DV
DVB Cornwall
Official Vatican Press Release.

On Monday April 18, 115 cardinals from 52 countries representing five continents will begin
the first conclave of the third millennium to elect the 264th successor of St Peter: in other words
the 265th Pope in the history of the Catholic Church.
The cardinals will move into the Domus Sanctae Marthae tomorrow afternoon, Sunday April
17. They will all meet together for dinner.
As previously announced, the Mass 'for the election of the Supreme Pontiff' will be
celebrated in the Vatican Basilica at 10 a.m. on Monday morning.
At 4.30 p.m. on Monday, the procession of cardinal electors will leave the Hall of Blessings
for the Sistine Chapel. This ritual will be transmitted live on television.
Once in the Sistine Chapel, all the cardinal electors will swear the oath. The cardinal dean
will read the formula of the oath, after which each cardinal, stating his name and placing his hand
on the Gospel, will pronounce the words: 'I promise, pledge and swear.' Over these days, there
has been frequent talk of the bond of secrecy concerning the election of the Pope. However, I
would like to reiterate that this is just part of the oath. First of all, an oath is made to observe the
prescriptions of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici gregis; then another oath is made
that - and I quote - 'whichever of us by divine disposition is elected Roman Pontiff will commit
himself faithfully to carrying out the munus Petrinum of Pastor of the Universal Church.'
After the oath, the master of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff pronounces the
'extra omnes,' and all those who do not participate in the conclave leave the Sistine Chapel. Only
the master of Liturgical Celebrations and Cardinal Tomáš Špidlík remain for the meditation,
once that has finished they too leave the Sistine Chapel.
During the conclave, the cardinals will have the following timetable:
At 7.30 a.m., the celebration or concelebration of Mass will take place in the Domus Sanctae
Marthae. By 9 a.m., they will be in the Sistine Chapel. There they will recite the Lauds of the
Liturgy of the Hours and, immediately afterwards, voting will take place according to the
prescribed ritual (two votes in the morning, and two votes in the afternoon). In the afternoon,
voting will begin at 4 p.m. At the end of the second vote will be Vespers.
After the two votes of the morning and the two of the afternoon respectively, the ballots and
any notes the cardinals have made will be burnt in a stove located inside the Sistine Chapel.
Purely as an indication then, the smoke signals could appear at around 12 noon and at about 7
p.m. (unless the new Pope is elected either in the first vote of the morning or the first vote of the
afternoon, in which case the smoke signal will be earlier). In any case it is expected that, along
with the white smoke, the bells of St Peter will sound to mark a successful election.
You know well the indications of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici gregis as
far as the voting goes. The valid quorum for electing the Pope is initially two thirds. After three
days of voting without an election, there will be a day at the most dedicated to reflection and
prayer, without voting. Thereafter, voting will resume for seven additional ballots, another pause
for reflection, another seven ballots, another pause and yet another seven ballots. After which
an absolute majority will decide how to proceed, that is, for either a vote by the absolute majority
or with balloting between two candidates. This will happen only in the event that the cardinals
arrive at the 33rd or 34th ballot without a positive result.
As far as the first vote on Monday, the cardinals will decided whether or not to vote after
they have entered into conclave on Monday afternoon, April 18.
The location for the conclave is the Domus Sanctae Marthae and the Sistine Chapel.

The route, along the street behind the Vatican Basilica, can be followed by the cardinals on
foot or, if some prefer, by bus. Naturally this path will be clear of people. Access to the San
Damaso courtyard will be sealed.
These days tourists will not have access to either the dome of St. Peter's or the Vatican
Gardens.
It will, however, be possible for pilgrims to visit the tomb of John Paul II during the hours
the Vatican Grottoes are open.
The General Congregations of the cardinals conclude today.
At the end of these encounters I wish to add two brief notes.
The climate of these congregations has been one of great familiarity. This has been perhaps
an expression of the great responsibility that all the cardinals feel at this time. That allowed them
to find great consensus on the general themes faced in the discussions.
I can also confirm that in no congregation were names ever brought up.

BRIEFING DEL DIRETTORE DELLA SALA STAMPA DELLA SANTA SEDE, DR.
JOAQUÍN NAVARRO-VALLS

Live Video from Vatican Television Centre

(All times Rome)
CW
Charlie Wells Moderator
...and this has what to do with "Television news presentation and related comment"?
LO
Londoner
There was a good World Debate programme on N24 earlier with Brian Hanrahan, including an extended package by Brian Barron.

Sky's Barbara Serra did a good report too.

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