Extra omnes: This will be the beginning of the conclave, step by step

This Wednesday, May 7, the conclave will formally begin, in which 133 of the 135 Cardinals under 80 years, will choose the new Bishop of Rome and Pontiff of the Catholic Church, after the death on April 21 of Pope Francis.

The ceremony of entry into the conclave, which will be held in the Sistine Chapel, begins with the purple gathered in the Pauline chapel of the Apostolic Palace to form the procession.

In principle, it should be the dean of the Cardenalicio College, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who presided over the ceremony. However, because it exceeds 80 years and will not participate in the conclave, as well as its vice -dean, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the conclave will be directed by the former Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

After invoking the Holy Trinity, Cardinal Parolin addresses his brothers in the purple: “Venerable brothers: celebrated the divine mysteries, we now enter into conclave to choose the Roman Pontiff. The entire Church, together with us in prayer, invokes incessantly the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that a pastor worthy of the whole herd of Christ is chosen by us”.

“That the Lord direct steps through the path of truth, so that, by intercession of the blessed always Virgin Mary, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and all the saints, let’s always do what he pleases,” concludes the initial prayer.

Next, the entry procession will be formed. The master of ceremonies begins the solemn courtship, wearing the cross, accompanied by two zeroferences (carriers of two luminaires). After them, the singers continue, a representative of the numeral protonotaries, another of the Roman Rota court, a cleric that will carry out a meditation in the presence of the voters, the ViceCamarlengo, Mons. Ilson de Jesús Montanari, and the secretary of the Cardinals College.

Next, the cardinals are located: the deacons, the presbyters and the bishops; Finally, Cardinal Parolin, accompanied by the master of the Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Mons. Diego Ravelli, Archbishop head of Recanati.

The tour to the Sistine Chapel is done in an orderly manner, while the litany of the Saints is sought. Upon arriving at the place, each purple occupies its place and the gospels occupy a prominent place in the room.

It is time to invoke the Holy Spirit with the song of the I came Creatorafter which everyone presents a moment of silence to collect in prayer.

Then, Cardinal Parolin prays as follows: “Oh Father, that guides and care of your Church, give your servants the spirit understanding, of truth and peace, so that they strive to know your will and serve you with total delivery. By Christ Our Lord. Amen.”

Oath of Cardinals voters

After the prayer, the voting cardinals proceed to pronounce the oath of compliance with the Apostolic Constitution The universe dominic of the flock that regulates the provisions for the choice of a new pontiff.

In addition, they commit before God to fulfill the obligations as the successor of St. Peter, with the following formula: “We also promise, commit ourselves and swore that any of us who, by divine disposition, is chosen Romano Pontiff, will commit to faithfully fulfill the Petrine office as a pastor of the Universal Church and will not stop affirming and vigorously defending the rights and spiritual and temporal freedom of the Holy See. ”

The oath concludes with the commitment to keep secret about what happens during the conclave and reject any external interference on the election:

“First of all, we promise and swore with the maximum loyalty and before all, clergy and laity, equally, the secret regarding everything that some relates to the choice of the Roman Pontiff and with what happens in the place of the election, whether directly or indirectly related to the scrutiny; do not violate this secret in any way, or after or after the choice of the new pontiff, unless they have the authorization. explicit of the same pontiff;

At the conclusion of the content of this solemn commitment, the cardinals, one by one, say: “And I, Cardinal N., promised, obey and swear.” And, putting his hand on the gospel, he adds: “So God helps me and these holy gospels that I play with my hand.

“Outside all”

After taking the oath, Mons. Ravelli pronounces the famous expression “Outside all”(Everyone outside), after which all those who do not participate in the conclave leave the Sistine Chapel, leaving the sloping under the dome decorated with allegories of the final judgment made by Miguel Ángel Buonarroti in the 16th century.

Next, in the presence of Mons. Ravelli, the cardinals will attend a preaching about “the serious task that awaits them and the need for them to act with straight intention in the election of the Roman Pontiff, seeking to do the will of God and having as the sole objective of the good of the whole Church.”

At the end, it is when both the preacher and the master of ceremonies leave the Sistine Chapel, the doors are closed and guards are placed in all entries.

Then, Cardinal Parolin will ask those present if it is possible to “initiate the election process, or if it were necessary to clarify doubts about the rules” contained in The universe dominic of the flock.

If there are no more objections, proceed as stipulated in the Apostolic Constitution for the choice of a new pontiff.