"I am completely in your hands" Pope John Paul II , Last Will and Testament
With Pope John Paul II laid to rest, attention now turns to the qualities of the next pontiff
Some are considered more possible than others, of course, and currently two Italians are topping the lists: Angelo Sodano and Dionigi Tettamanzi. As Italian journalist Marco Politi observed in La Repubblica last week: "If people are talking about Italians on this electoral eve, it is because many 'foreigners' want a less dramatic pontificate than the Wojtylian one, ready to make some reforms on decentralization and greater participation of the bishops in the universal church, and therefore an Italian perhaps will be better." Known for their diplomacy and mastery of the Curia, Italians might be best equipped to balance the church's many (and sometimes conflicting) priorities.
But at this point, at least, the man, or woman, on the streets of Rome ought to be given a say in the matter. In line last Thursday with her husband and four children, Renee Smith, from New York's Hudson Valley, expressed the view of many of her fellow pilgrims. The next pontiff, she said, "should be a pope who is similar [to John Paul II], someone who will encourage more peace in the world among people regardless of race or religion, someone that is very active in running this church, which needs a lot of help." Such a person might well be the answer to the hopes and prayers of many people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
INSIDE THE CONCLAVE
The Secret Election of the Next Pope
The College of Cardinals has had the exclusive right to elect popes since 1179. To deliberate and decide, the cardinals are locked in a conclave --from the Latin phrase "with a key"--to prevent interference from the outside world. Balloting takes place in the Sistine Chapel 15 to 20 days after a pope has died and only cardinals under the age of 80 may vote--117 are eligible today. While the media and the world await the naming of the new pope, announced by white smoke and the peal of St. Peter's Basilica's bells, centuries-old rituals take place within the carefully guarded chapel.
PICKING THE PONTIFF
APRIL 18 Conclave begins Monday morning with a special mass in St. Peter's to entreat the Holy Spirit for guidance.
AFTERNOON Cardinals meet again in the Sistine Chapel, where they take an oath of secrecy and pledge to follow conclave rules.
"ALL OUT" ORDER is given to anyone not involved with the conclave. Voting may begin.
APRIL 19 Two votes taken in the morning and two in the afternoon, until a pope is elected by a two-thirds majority (in this election, 78 votes).
IF THEY CAN'T DECIDE
If a pope is not elected after three days, the cardinals take a day for prayer and discussion.
Cardinals can vote to elect a pope by simple majority (59 votes) if they become deadlocked for 12 days.
WHEN THEY AGREE
The dean of the College of Cardinals asks the newly elected pope, "Do you accept your canonical election as supreme pontiff?" If he accepts, he selects a papal name for himself.
The new pope changes into one of three white cassocks, tailored in advance to fit a pope of any size. In the Sistine Chapel each of the cardinal electors pledges his loyalty to the new pope.
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