Klaus Hart Brasilientexte

THE ELECTION OF ST PETER’S SUCCESSOR

Frei Betto*

After the resignation of Benedict VI, the Church’s government automatically passed into the hands of the College of Cardinals according to rules re-defined by John Paul II in 1996 in the document Universi Dominici Gregis. This document is read as soon as the cardinals arrive in Rome. Under oath, the prelates are sworn to silence.

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With the pope’s resignation all the cardinals in the Roman Curia, including the Secretary of State, whose function is equal to that of prime minister, are compulsorily discharged. Only three remain in their present functions: the camerlengo, responsible for the transition and the election of the new pontiff, the major penitentiary, for the door for forgiveness of sins reserved to the Holy See must be kept open – i.e. sins that only she can forgive – and the vicar of the diocese of Rome.

The College of Cardinals’ powers in the transition phase are limited. It cannot, for example, modify the rules for the papal election, name new cardinals (the electors of the new pope) or make any decisions which could constrain the authority of the future pontiff.

The Sistine Chapel is prepared for the conclave. Visits by tourists are suspended and a security team investigates every detail in search of electronic devices. But how can anyone guard against one of the members of the team being bribed by cardinals or governments interested in manipulating the Holy See?

Cardinals who have not yet reached 80 years of age two days before the start of the conclave are summoned to seclusion.  117 cardinal electors are expected.

Before Karol Wojtyla’s election they were lodged in the Apostolic Palace which was uncomfortable for large numbers of guests. The rooms had to be divided with partitions and the bathrooms shared.

John Paul II authorised the investment of US$20 million for the construction of Casa Santa Maria, which houses Vatican employees and visiting clergy. The cardinal-electors will travel by bus to the Sistine Chapel. During the conclave the use of the 108 suites and 23 single rooms, all with private bathrooms, is arranged by drawing lots, with the exception of cardinals who have special needs due to age or infirmity.

*Frei Betto is a writer, author of “Calendário do Poder” (Calendar of Power) (Rocco).