Papal Conclave to begin Tuesday

Saturday, March 9th, 2013

Less than 24 hours after the arrival of the final voting Cardinal, Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Cardinals voted to hold a Conclave on Tuesday 12 March.

“The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals has decided that the Conclave will begin on Tuesday, 12 March 2013,” Father Federico Lombardi said in a message to reporters.

The Vatican had told reporters the ‘conclave message’ would arrive at 7pm Rome time, however it arrived an hour earlier.

Lombardi also explained that the earliest the Conclave could reasonably be expected to begin would be the start of the coming work week.

The cardinals were able to choose an earlier date than was previously allowed under Church regulations because Benedict XVI issued a motu proprio to make that possible, Lombardi explained.

Cardinals will continue their General Congregations meetings on Saturday and Monday, likely taking them to a total of 12 General Congregations meetings.

In 2005 when Joseph Ratzinger was the leading papal front-runner, cardinals took 15 General Congregations before deciding to go into Conclave.

Cardinals in Conclave

On Tuesday morning, voting begins with the MassPro Eligendo Pontifice (for the Election of the Roman Pontiff). It is concelebrated by all the cardinals in St Peter’s Basilica.

Later, Tuesday afternoon, the cardinal electors will gather in the Pauline Chapel and following the oath taken by each voter, the traditional “Extra omnes” – “Everybody out” – is sounded.

At this point the Sistine chapel’s doors are locked, and the first ballot is taken.

Cardinals need to reach a two-thirds majority to choose a new Pope, which means 77 votes will be necessary for one candidate before white smoke will be seen coming out of the Sistine Chapel chimney.

After three days if they have been unable to make a decision the process is halted for a day of talks and reflection.

Sources