7 Important data on the vacancy

The Catholic encyclopedia (EC) points out that vacancy refers to the period in which a trade or position does not have a holder. In that sense, the vacancy is the time when the Church does not have a pontiff and the chair of the Bishop of Rome is empty.

We share in this note 7 important data on this crucial moment from which a new Pope will come out.

1. When does it happen?

He Code of Canon Law (CIC) establishes that the vacancy is given for 3 reasons: the death of the bishop, the resignation he makes to this service and is accepted by the Pope, or when there is “transfer and deprivation intimidated to the bishop.” In the case of the resignation of a pontiff, the EC Remember what happened with Pope Celestino V.

“As the Pope has no superior, Celestino V (1215-1296 AD), who resigned from the Papacy, published a special constitution (L. I, Tit. 7 in 6th) declaring that the College of Cardinals is competent to accept the formal abdication of the Pope,” he says.

Something similar occurred with the resignation of Benedict XVI, who communicated her reading a Declaration (Declaration) In Latin for being the language of the Church, during a Consistory of Cardinals.

On the other hand, when a pontiff dies, the vacancy period begins. While in a resignation we must consider the date of when the Pope abdicates and the date on which he effectively leaves the position and the vacancy begins.

For example, Benedict XVI communicated his resignation on February 11, 2013, but it was just made effective on February 28 of that year at 8 pm, Rome.

The functions of Camarlengo are activated at the vacancy, which was previously appointed For the Holy Father. At present, Cardinal Kevin Farrel is the one who has assigned this responsibility.

In the Apostolic Constitution Preach the Gospel (PE) of Pope Francis indicates that his function is to “ensure and manage the temporary goods and rights of the Apostolic Headquarters” until a new Pope is chosen. In this sense, you have the power to Request all information on the economic situation of the Holy See and the administrations that depend on it.

In the Apostolic Charter The universe dominic of the flock (UDG), on the protocol before the vacant headquarters established by San Juan Pablo II, it is indicated that once the pontiff dies, the camarlengo has to go to verify the death.

Subsequently, the study and bedroom of the late Pontiff must seal. After the grave, the papal apartment will only be sealed.

On the other hand, Camarlengo must officially communicate the death of the pontiff to Cardinal Vicar for the citywho has to give the news to the Roman people.

UDG also indicates that the Dean of the Cardinals College It is the one who has the mission of warning the death of the Pope to all the sloping and of summoning them to go to the Vatican. Likewise, the Dean is the one who informs the diplomatic corps accredited before the Holy See and the leaders of these nations.

4. Those who retain their positions

According to the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus of San Juan Pablo II “All the leaders and members of the Dicasteries cease in office.” On this point the Ed It details more and indicates that the Secretary of State, the Cardinals Prefects, Presidents Archbishops and members of the Dicasteries also cease.

However, Camarlengo, the major penitentiary and the alms remain in their functions. In addition, in the PE It is confirmed that “the secretaries deal with the ordinary government of the curial institutions, dealing only with the issues of the ordinary administration.”

The PE also describes that the master of the pontifical liturgical celebrations begins in its functions related to the vacancy and choice of the Pope. These are established in the UDG.

On the other hand the Apostolic Constitution Vicariae power in the city (VPU), on the Vicariate of Rome, stipulates that during the vacancy, Cardinal Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome, who exercises the pastoral government in the diocese of the Pope, does not cease in office.

“Nor does Cardinal Arciprest of the Vatican Basilica and Vicar General for the city of the Vatican cease in its jurisdiction,” the Ed. Likewise, the Pontifical representativeswhile the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature and the Roman Rota Court their responsibilities continue According to its laws.

5. The obligations of the voters cardinals

The Ed It establishes that all cardinals with the right to vote are obliged to go to the Vatican to choose the new Pontiff. Only those who have a serious disease or situation that have been recognized by the Cardinals College are excepted. Those who refuse to enter the Vatican or leave without official approval will be excluded.

They also cease to be cardinals “those who, before the day of the death of the pontiff or the day in which the Apostolic Headquarters are vacant, have turned 80 years old.”

On the other hand, the Santa Marta house, the Sistine Chapel and the areas for liturgical celebrations are closed to unauthorized people. All activity in the Vatican will be regulated so that it does not affect the free development of the choice.

In this sense, people outside the choice are prohibited to dialogue with the cardinals and they cannot use any means to communicate with someone external to the conclave, unless it is something serious and with a special permission.

People who must attend to cardinals have to make an oath and must keep strict secret.

6. Cardinal congregations

Before the voting initiate, the cardinals will have general and particular congregations. In the first, all voters and not voters who wish. While the individual is made up of the Camarlengo with three purple voters from the three orders of cardinals (bishops, priests and deacons).

These three cardinals will be chosen by raffle and will also be renewed every three days by raffle. The most important problems will be seen in the general congregation, but the least importance will be treated by the particular. This dynamic will remain in the choice process.

It is necessary to indicate that all the sloping are oath to strictly fulfill the entire protocol that governs before and during the choice of the pontiff, as well as to maintain everything secret.

On the deceased Pope, the congregations also decided the day and time of his transfer to the Basilica of San Pedro; its wake and burial; as well as the cancellation of its fisherman ring and lead seal.

In the congregations the day and time of the start of the conclave are decided.

7. Invocation to the Holy Spirit

After the funeral of the deceased Pope, all the cardinals will go to the Basilica of San Pedro or where it has been determined more convenient to celebrate the votive Mass For choosing papa. The Ed Indicates that they will later leave the Pauline chapel of the Apostolic Palace singing the Veni Creator song until they are located in the Sistine Chapel.

However, in the 2013 conclave the cardinals arrived in procession to the Sistine Chapel singing the litanies of the saints. When they were located in their seats, they just sang the invocation to the Holy Spirit.

Then everyone will make an oath publicly to fulfill all the rules arranged by Saint John Paul II and the following popes for the choice of the new Pontiff and undertake to keep everything a secret, placing a hand on the holy gospels.

Then, the master of the pontifical liturgical celebrations will pronounce the words in Latin outside all (All outside) and those who should not be in the Sistine Chapel must retire to be able to start the conclave in itself.