Revolution in Papal Elections + Electing a New Pope + List of all Popes
The Funeral + The Vacant See + The Conclave + Church Hierarchy + The Election + Habemus Papam
"The forms of election" by
acclamation and compromise "are abolished," and "the form of
electing the Roman pontiff shall henceforth be by balloting
alone."
"I therefore decree that for the valid election of the Roman pontiff two-thirds of the votes are required, calculated on the basis of the total number of electors present."
"Should it be impossible to divide the number of cardinals present into three equal parts, for the validity of the election of the supreme pontiff one additional vote is required."
"Should the election begin on the afternoon of the first day, only one ballot is to be held; then, on the following days, if no one is elected on the first ballot, two ballots shall be held in the morning and two in the afternoon."
"In the event that the cardinal electors find it difficult to agree on the person to be elected, after balloting has been carried out for three days--without result, voting is to be suspended for a maximum of one day in order to allow for prayer, informal discussion among the voters and a brief spiritual exhortation." Given the same circumstances, this procedure can be repeated three times.
"If the balloting does not result in an election,--the cardinal electors shall be invited--to express an opinion about the manner of proceeding. The election will then proceed in accordance with what the absolute majority of the electors decides.
"Nevertheless, there can be no waiving of the requirement that a valid election takes place only by an absolute majority of the votes or else by voting only on the two names which in the ballot immediately preceding have received the greatest number of votes; also in this second case, only an absolute majority is required."
Answers to frequently asked questions
Main Menu + Fr. Pat's Place + Recommend this page + Morning Prayer by e-mail + Send a Condolence Message
| Father Pat Umberger.
This appears on the Web Site
Father Pat's Place Not to be reproduced or electronically transmitted without permission. Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin USA + Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam |
| You
are visitor
|