Q. How will we be informed when a Pope dies?

A. Although in our modern technological world, most people will hear of the death of a Pope through media outlets or the internet, there are actual, formal procedures that are observed. The Head or Prefect of the Papal Household, a position currently held by Milwaukee native, Archbishop James Harvey, informs the person who holds the office of Cardinal Camerlengo or Cardinal Chamberlain. Currently that office is held by Eduardo Cardinal Martinez Somalo. He, in turn, informs the Cardinal Vicar of Rome, the individual who handles the daily administration of the Diocese of Rome for the Pope. The current Vicar of Rome is Camillo Cardinal Ruini. The Vicar informs the people of Rome. At the same time the Dean of the College of Cardinals, presently Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, is informed by the Prefect and, in turn informs the other cardinals and the members of the Vatican diplomatic corps as well as world leaders who then announce it to their people.

Q. What happens immediately after a pope dies?

A. In addition to the recitation of the Prayers for the Dead and other prayers, the notifications indicated above, and the respectful preparation of the body for funeral rites, there are certain administrative and practical steps that are taken immediately. The papal apartment is sealed and remains so until a successor is elected. The pope's insignia ring and official seal are destroyed.

Q. How are funeral rites for a pope celebrated?

A. The Church has a ritual for papal funerals. It is called the Order of Burial for a Roman Pontiff. The Order calls for nine straight days of ritual and these are arranged by the cardinals. The actual funeral and burial are to take place four to six days after the pope's death. The Cardinal Camerlengo is the chief organizer of the funeral and burial.

Q. Are there regulations for how a new pope is elected?

A. The rules for a papal election are delineated in a document issued in 1996 by Pope John Paul II called Universi Dominici Gregis.

The Cardinal Camerlengo has an important position during the vacancy of the papacy. He is responsible for making arrangements for the election process. He is also responsible for safeguarding and administration of the finances of the Vatican. Three cardinals, who must be under age 80, assist the Camerlengo. They are selected by lottery and serve on a rotating basis. The Camerlengo is accountable to the College of Cardinals in the performance of his responsibilities.

The election of a pope takes place through what is called a "conclave." This word is derived from the Latin word for "with a key." It is rooted in the practice of locking the doors of the election site. Initially this practice was intended to force the cardinals not to take an undue amount of time before electing a pope. Today it is more for security and the confidentiality of the process. Prior to the locking of the doors, all means of communication with the outside world are removed, including in our modern time, cell phones and internet access. The conclave takes place not less than fifteen full days after the pope's death to allow for travel time to the Vatican. But after twenty days have elapsed, all the Cardinal electors present at that time must begin the election process.

By the beginning of the election, all the Cardinal electors are assigned and must have taken up lodging in the Saint Martha Residence, a facility built under Pope John Paul II's direction for such a purpose. If reasons of health require that a Cardinal elector have a medical attendant, even during the period of the election, arrangements must be made to provide suitable accommodation for that person. This housing area is closed to any outsiders for the duration of the election.

The electors are all Cardinals who are under the age of 80 at the time of the pope's death. The maximum number of Cardinal electors is one hundred and twenty. The conclave begins with the morning celebration of the Eucharist in St. Peter Basilica. Later in the day, the cardinal electors process to the Sistine Chapel where they pledge an oath to observe the rules of election, to carry out the office of pontiff if elected, and to maintain confidentiality about any and all aspects of the election both during and after the conclave, and never to support or assist in any influence on the election by any outside individual or group.

After the swearing of the oath, a previously selected cleric delivers a reflection on the importance of the duty the Cardinal electors are undertaking and reminding them that in all things they are to have God alone before their eyes. Upon completion of his reflection, he departs from the Sistine Chapel leaving only the Cardinal electors present. After the required prayers, the Cardinal Dean presides, asking if there are any procedural questions. No new rules or procedures can be introduced. If the electors are satisfied that no clarifications are necessary, they proceed to the electoral process.

Q. What are the rules for the election process?

A. First, at least two or three ballot papers are prepared and distributed to each Cardinal elector. By lot, from among the Cardinal electors are selected three individuals, called Scrutineers, who assist with the counting of ballots, three persons who collect the votes of the sick and are called Infirmarii, and three people who review the work of the Scrutineers and are called Revisers.

For the actual voting process, rectangular ballot forms are used. At the top of the sheet, in Latin, are the words "I elect as Supreme Pontiff." The lower half is left blank with space for the elector to write the name of the person for whom he is voting. He can put down only one name or his ballot is invalidated. He then folds the ballot in half.

The placing of ballots and counting of votes is called the "scrutiny." The Scrutineers stand at the altar with a large receptacle on it over which a plate serves as a cover. The Cardinal electors, in order of precedence, approach the altar, ballot in hand and extended so that it can be seen. Each elector proclaims an oath that he is voting for the person he believes should be elected and places the ballot on the plate, with which he drops it into the receptacle. If an elector is physically unable to approach the altar, a Scrutineer goes to him and, after the elector has stated his oath, receives the folded ballot and takes it to the altar for deposit in the receptacle.

While this process is occurring, if there are any Cardinal electors who are ill and not able to be in the Chapel, the three Infirmarii go to them with blank ballots and a locked ballot box and the ill elector votes from his room. The Infirmarii then take the box back to the Chapel. It is opened by the Scrutineers who confirm that their number of ballots corresponds to the number of those who are sick. They then place them one by one on the plate and then drop them all together into the receptacle.

Q. How are the results of the balloting determined?

A. Upon completion of the balloting, the first Scrutineer shakes the receptacle to mix the ballots. Then, the last Scrutineer counts the ballots to ensure that their number corresponds with the number of electors. If it does not, the ballots are burned and a second balloting occurs immediately. If the number does correspond to the number of electors, the vote counting process commences.

The Scrutineers move to a table in front of the altar. The first one takes each ballot in turn, unfolds it and writes down the name that appears on the ballot. The second Scrutineer receives the ballot and also notes the name of the person selected. The third then reads the name out loud and the electors present record the vote on a sheet of paper prepared for that purpose. The third Scrutineer also writes down the name read from the ballot and threads the ballots together as each name is called.

The Scrutineers then tally the votes that each individual has received. Since election requires a two thirds majority, if no one has obtained two thirds of the votes on that ballot, a pope has not been elected. If someone has obtained two thirds of the votes, the valid election of the Roman Pontiff has taken place.

In either case, that is, whether the election has occurred or not, the Revisers must proceed to check both the ballots and the notes made by the Scrutineers, in order to make sure that they have performed their task exactly and faithfully. All ballots, notes and tallying sheets are then burned by the Scrutineers.

This process is repeated until someone has been elected by a two thirds majority. After the first day of the conclave, there are two voting sessions each morning and two each afternoon until a pope is elected. If, after three days of this process there is still no election, the voting process is halted for one day to give electors time for prayer and reflection. During this day there may also be informal discussion among the electors. The voting then resumes as above. If after seven more ballots, there is still no pope elected, the electors recess again for prayer, reflection and discussion. They resume for seven more ballots and another day of prayer if no one is elected.

If these steps do not result in an election, the Camerlengo polls the electors for their opinion on how to proceed. Any decision about the manner of proceeding must be approved by an absolute majority of the electors. They may determine that election by an absolute majority of votes will constitute a valid election. They could decide to hold a vote only between the two recipients of the greatest number of votes in the last balloting. An absolute majority of votes would be required in this case as well.

Source: Archdiocese of Milwaukee