As the papal transition unfolds, several key terms and roles become vital in understanding the process. The dean of the College of Cardinals is currently Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who holds the responsibility of informing other cardinals and Holy See ambassadors of a pope’s death, overseeing the conclave, and presiding over the oaths taken by electors. Given Cardinal Re’s advanced age of 91, he is ineligible to vote and will leave the Sistine Chapel once conclave proceedings commence, handing over duties to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the most senior cardinal.
The Domus Santa Marta serves as the guesthouse for cardinals during the conclave. Built in 1996, it provides accommodation for the electors; notably, Pope Francis chose to live there instead of the traditional papal apartments. Due to the large number of electors this time, additional accommodations are necessary in a nearby residence.
Central to the conclave proceedings are certain Latin phrases, such as “extra omnes,” meaning “all out,” which instructs non-elector cardinals to leave the Sistine Chapel before voting begins. Once a new pope has been elected, the announcement is made with the phrase “Habemus Papam,” indicating “We have a pope,” a message declared by the protodeacon of the College of Cardinals.
Other roles during the conclave include the infirmarii, three cardinals who collect ballots from any electors unable to vote due to illness, and the revisers and scrutineers who ensure voted ballots are accurately reviewed and counted. The process takes place within the context of “sede vacante,” meaning “vacant seat,” which describes the interim period following a pope’s death until a successor is elected.
The rules governing this transitional phase are outlined in “Universi Dominici Gregis,” a document instituted by St. John Paul II and later amended by Pope Benedict XVI, that stipulates the procedures from a pope’s demise to the election of a new one.
This transitional moment in the Vatican serves not only as a period of change but also as a time for the global Catholic community to reflect on their faith and the future direction of their Church. The systematic approach and precise terminology reflect the deep historical and spiritual significance of the papal election process.