Spirituality: The Conclave

The Church has concluded its formal nine days of mourning the death of a Pope. Pope Francis has been laid to rest in the Church of Mary Major, a church where St. Ignatius said his first Mass and where the first Christmas creche was assembled within a church. The Cardinals have gathered in Rome for a series of Masses and meetings. This is their time to discuss issues of the church privately with other Cardinals. On Wednesday, a meeting called  “The Conclave” begins. Cardinals will gather in Rome for Mass and prayer and at the end of this prayer, the Cardinals over 80 years of age and anyone else in attendance will be dismissed. The Cardinal-electors, those who will elect the next Pope, will begin a formal process of electing a Pope. The Cardinals will stay sequestered until they choose the next leader of the church.  They vote under oath. These elections are secure.

 

Yesterday, we heard the Risen Jesus ask Simon Peter three times if he loved him. It is upon this love that the Church is built. It is upon this pastoral, servant-leadership that the Holy Spirit to maintain the church’s mission in the world. This is a church built on love and care for one another. This scene at the Sea of Tiberius helps Peter to see that he has to nourish and feed the world with love and compassion.

 

There are many journalistic opinions and reports about who might be elected Pope. Pay no attention to what you read and hear. No one really know what happens behind those closed doors. Journalists do a great job in learning and educating the public about various Cardinals, positions, and processes that are unfolding in Rome. Their work is quite important. Many of the reports are based on perceptions. Social media types will offer differing opinions and will highlight newsworthy statements. Watch or read those statements lightly.

 

Many speculate that we are at a crossroads in this election: Will we return to tradition as some define it, or will we have continuity with the initiatives of Pope Francis? The conversations are far more than that. This Conclave has the largest number of Cardinal-electors, 135, ever. 110 of these 135 were selected by Pope Francis, mostly for pastoral reasons. The movie “The Conclave” is a Hollywood story that has some intriguing elements of what happens upon the death of a Pope. It is a good film, and it is Hollywood.

 

Perhaps these news sources can be helpful are:

            Religion News Service: https://religionnews.com/

            National Catholic Reporter: https://www.ncronline.org/

            America Media: https://www.americamagazine.org/

 

 

As the Conclave begins on Wednesday, it is possible but not likely that the Cardinals will have elected a Pope on the first day. In the past years, the conclaves have moved rather quickly. People will assemble in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday, and many will arrive each day until the Pope is elected. The chimney that announces the election of a pope will produce black smoke if the ballots have not secured a papal election. White smoke appears when a choice is made, and a Cardinal will appear on the balcony to announce “Habemus Papam,” that is, “We have a Pope.” 

 

By the way, there are four Jesuits as Cardinal Electors:

 

                        Stephen Chow, of Hong Kong (I studied with him at Weston Jesuit)

                        Michael Czerny, of Canada (work with migrants)

                        Jean-Claude Hollerich, of Luxembourg

                        Angel Sixto Rossi, of Argentina

 

 

We can talk more about the events of this week. Please let me know if you have unanswered questions

 

Fr. John