Letter from the Pastor
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May 4, 2025Today is the 9th and final day of the official mourning for the death of Pope Francis. We have been praying for his soul, and offering Masses. Our PREP students and SMS students have been praying for him as well. Today concludes the official period of mourning. Not that we ever stop praying for the mercy of God for Pope Francis, but now our prayers begin for our Cardinal-electors and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Conclave begins this Wednesday, May 7th. There are 252 Cardinals in the world, only 135 Cardinals are under the age of 80, therefore are eligible to vote in the secret ballot. A two-thirds majority is needed to elect a new pope, and cardinals are not allowed to leave the conclave until a successor is named.
The Conclave starts with a Solemn Mass Pro Eligendo Papa (For the Election of the Pope) attended by the Cardinals. In the afternoon, the Cardinal-electors proceed in a solemn procession to the Sistine Chapel, where the Conclave begins to elect the new Pope.
At the end of the procession inside the Sistine Chapel, each Cardinal-elector takes an oath that if elected and accepted he would faithfully fulfill the role as pope. They also pledge to maintain absolute secrecy regarding everything related to the election of the pope and to refrain from supporting any attempts of external interference in the election.
At this point, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations proclaims “Extra omnes,” meaning that all individuals who are not part of the Conclave must leave the Sistine Chapel. Only the Master himself and the designated preacher to deliver the second meditation remain. This meditation focuses on the grave responsibility that rests upon the electors and the necessity of acting with pure intentions for the good of the Church, keeping only God before their eyes. Once the meditation is delivered, both the preacher and the Papal Master of Pontifical Ceremonies leave.
The Cardinal-electors then recite prayers and listen to the Cardinal Dean, who asks whether they are ready to proceed with voting or if any clarifications regarding the rules and procedures. All election procedures take place exclusively in the Sistine Chapel, which remains completely sealed off until the election is concluded.
Throughout the election process, the Cardinal-electors must refrain from sending letters or engaging in conversations, including phone calls, except in cases of extreme urgency. They are not allowed to send or receive messages of any kind, receive newspapers or magazines of any nature, or follow radio or television broadcasts.
The cardinals vote by secret ballot, processing one by one up to Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment, saying a prayer and dropping the twice-folded ballot in a large chalice. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot are counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders. If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke.
When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the Cardinal Dean of the College asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope.
The senior cardinal deacon, currently French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, announces from the balcony of St. Peter's Habemus Papam ("We have a pope") before the new pope imparts his blessing on the city of Rome and the entire world.
Prayer for the election of a pope:
O God, Eternal Shepherd, Who govern Your flock with unfailing care, Grant in Your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for Your Church who will please You by His holiness and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Peter, pray for us.
Thank you for your generosity.
Unbound Ministry thanks our parishioners, along with your generous monetary donations, have adopted 16 families. Sr. Charles Patricia, lsp. informs us that they collected $4,500 for the elderly poor. And Sister mentioned a number of you would donate on line and took envelopes. God will bless your goodness.