Who could have ever imagined that this announcement made from the balcony of St. Peters Basilica on the 13th March 2013, would usher in such a dramatic period for the church. Cardinalem Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis, was a first in many ways; the first Jesuit, the first South American, indeed the first non-European to be elected as Pope. How Francis is remembered will depend entirely on who is doing the remembering. He wasted no time in delving into the problems that faced the Church and nobody wanted to talk about. He opened the doors and windows of the establishment to allow the fresh air to pervade and clear the cobwebs that had accumulated over the years, making the Church more relevant to its constituents.
From the very first moment he appeared at the balcony, it was apparent that this papacy would be different, and more appealing. He dispensed with the various trimmings of apparel. His often off the cuff remarks were initially attributed to a pontiff still getting his bearings. It was soon apparent that was his style. Deliberate, strategic ambiguity, questioning teaching and practices through what is said and what is left unsaid. This was particularly relevant to marital and sexual ethics, including Communion for the divorced and “remarried” as well as the Church’s clearly established teaching on homosexual behaviour.
His papacy came at a time when the scandals of mass priestly sexual abuse shook the Church, particularly in Boston and later around Theodore McCarrick in 2018. In Canada, it was brought to its knees. Yet he refused all attempts at cover up. Indeed, some of his detractors would say he did not go far enough. His standard, disarming reply was “Who am I to judge”. On the martyrdom of Fr Jacques Hamel, by Islamic extremists who slit his throat while he stood at the altar, he replied “I don’t like to speak of Islamic violence… There are violent Catholics!” Those who betrayed the Church were dealt with harshly. Cardinal Becciu was summarily dismissed from his position and told “I no longer have trust in you”. The Cardinal was convicted of embezzlement and fraud. Yet the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, who called him an “imbecile”, and a “filthy leftist” was warmly embraced at the Vatican.
His views were crisp. Abortion was a” throwaway culture…and truly murder”. Euthanasia and assisted suicide: “are practices to be rejected.” Even as more women were given greater responsibilities in the administration of church affairs, it was a firm “NO” to women priests, or removing celibacy. He allowed the blessing of same-sex couples in his belief that “we cannot be judges who only deny, push back, exclude”; sparking off enormous controversy in Asia and Africa. He was a deft politician too. Though the details of the agreement with the Chinese government remain a secret, Church leaders in China were to be appointed by consensus.
The focus now shifts to the choice of a successor. Will he be a conservative, radical or a compromise moderate? He will be chosen by a “conclave,” meaning “a room that can be locked up,” or simply, “a closed room.”. Members of a “College of Cardinals” will be locked behind the doors of the Sistine chapel to vote for a new pope. There are 252 members at present, but only 138 are eligible to vote being below the age ceiling of 80 years. This will be the most diverse conclaves in the history of the Catholic Church with members from 90 countries most of whom were appointed by Pope Francis. Before the conclave begins, the College of Cardinals will meet in congregations to discuss issues facing the Church and generally get to know each other. Politicking is frowned upon and buying votes, called “simony” is against Church law. Electronic jamming devices will be set up to prevent eavesdropping, Wi-Fi and cell phone use. As they file into the chapel, the cardinals will vow on a book of the Gospels to keep the conclave proceedings secret. After these rituals, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations orders “Extra Omnes,” which means “Everyone Out.” The doors of the Sistine Chapter will then be locked, and the conclave begins. Nine cardinals are chosen at random to run the election, with three being “scrutinizers” who will examine the ballots and read them aloud. As each ballot is dropped into an urn, the voter declares, “I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected.”
A new pope is elected by a two-thirds majority. If this majority is not reached during the first ballot, the ballots will be burned in a stove, with black smoke rising through the Sistine Chapel’s chimney to signal that the election is still ongoing. On the days thereafter – there will be four ballots a day up to 32 or 33. If a new pope is not chosen after 13 days, there will be a day of prayer and reflection. Then the election will be between the top two candidates, one of whom must receive a two-thirds majority.
Once chosen, he is asked “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?” By saying “Accepto,” or “I accept,” he becomes the new leader of the Catholic Church, and the ballots burned so that the chimney emits white smoke. The new Pope then chooses a name, which often reflects his religious inclinations. He will then go to the “Room of Tears” to dwell on his new role and its burdens; often bringing the new Pope to tears. He then wears the attire of a Pope and after his election is announced from the balcony of the Basilica, he will greet the crowd and deliver his first blessing.
And a new pontificate would have begun.
(The author is the Past IMA Goa State President, founder member and Past President of VHAG, and a past member of the
Central Executive
Committee of VHAI)