CONCLAVE (French conclave - “persons locked together”, from Latin conclave, lit. con-, o-tea-co-together action, and clavis - the key) - a closed co-b-ra-tion card-di-na-lov, about -going after the death of the former papa of Rome and in a sacred way you-bo-ram but-in-go.

First-in-the-first-but from-the-bringing of the pa-pa of Rome-s-th os-s-s-st-in-la-li clergy and mi-rya-not R-ma, as well as the epi- sko-py so-sed-them cities-ro-dov. Starting from the 4th century, secular monks - Roman and Byzantine im-pe-ra-to- ry, ost-goth-sky ko-ro-li, ka-ro-ling-im-pe-ra-to-ry, pra-vi-te-li of the Holy Roman im-pe-rii, to -ro-li of France. This, as well as from-the-day-st-vie of a clear pro-tse-du-ry you-bo-ditch led to re-gu-lar-nym conflict-there, from-bra-tion an-ti-pap. In order to os-la-beat the pressure from the side of the secular authorities, pa-pa Ni-ko-lai II (1059-1061) bull-loy "In nomine Domini" ( 1059) in-a-hundred-no-vil that from-bi-army pa-pu should only be card-di-na-ly, for-ro-house and spirit-ho-ven-st-vom Ri-ma os-ta-elk is only the right of approval (acclamatio) chosen-bran-no-go can-di-da-ta (from-me-not-but pa-sing Alek-san-drom III in 1179).

In those two centuries, you-bo-ry pro-ho-di-whether from-open. After the death in 1268 of papa Kli-men-ta IV (1265-1268), kar-di-na-ly, gathering in Vi-ter-bo (go-ro- de, where pa-pa died), could not come to an agreement for more than two years. Elected in re-zul-ta-te pa-pa Gri-go-ry X (1272-1276), so that henceforth kar-di-na-ly would be free from anyone -boo influence from the side, con-sti-tu-qi-ey “Ubi majus pe-ri-culum” dated 7.7. closed go-lo-co-va-nia, better-chiv-ing the name “konk-la-you”.

Despite the iso-ro-vanity of the card-di-na-catch during the conclave, secular power still had the ability to influence the course of you -ditch through the application of the right-va-ve-something, someone-swarm on-kla-dy-va-moose on the unwanted can-di-da-tu-ru from the name -not any kind of personal mo-nar-ha. For the last time, with this right, vos-pol-zo-val-sya im-pe-ra-tor Av-st-ro-Hungary in 1903. Pa-pa Pius X from-me-nil the right of the apostolic con-sti-tu-qi-ey "Comissum no-bis" (1904).

Modern pra-vi-la pro-ve-de-niya of the conclave in the basis of the new us-ta-no-vil pa-pa Gri-go-ry XV (1621-1623) bull-la-mi “Aeterni Patris " (1621) and "Decet Romanum Pontificem" (1622). Pa-pa Pa-vel VI, from-give motu proprio “Ingravescentem aeta- tem "(1970), according to some-ro-mu kar-di-na-ly, do-tig-shie 80-year-old-not-age-ra-ta, did-sha-lis right-va-go -lo-sa. Apostolic con-sti-tu-qi-ey “Romano Pon-tifici eligendo” (1975) he op-re-de-lil that the number of students in you-bo- rah kar-di-na-lov should not exceed 120 people.

We-not-in-a-row-dock pro-ve-de-niya of the conclave re-gu-liru-et-xia of the apostolic con-sti-tu-qi-ey "Uni-versi Dominici gregis" (1996) pa-py John Paul II and motu proprio "De ali-qui-bus Mutationibus ..." (2007) pa-py Be-ne-dik-ta XVI. Kar-di-na-ly co-bi-ra-yut-sya in Wa-ti-ka-not not earlier than the 15th and not later than the 20th day after the death of pa-pa. During the conclave, they live iso-li-ro-van-but from the outside world. Go-lo-so-va-niya pro-ho-dyat 4 times a day - two in the morning and in the evening - in the Sistine Chapel. After the go-lo-co-va-ny according to the given bulletins-le-te-no compress-ga-yut-sya with add-le-ni-em special ma-te-ria- fishing, in the rezul-ta-te of something, black or white smoke comes out of the chimney above the ka-pel-loy. White smoke and the ringing of ko-lo-ko-lov of St. after that, his name was announced on St. Peter's Square, card-di-na-scrap-per-in-dia-ko-nom. Theo-re-ti-che-ski pa-sing can be chosen by any adult-ly-ly-like male-la-la, but in practice since 1389 he not-from-men-but from-bi-ra-et-sya from the number of kar-di-na-lov. For the selection of not-about-ho-di-mo, take 2/3 go-lo-owls. If in those 12 days no one lu-chit not-about-ho-di-mo-go pain-shin-st-va go-lo-owls, new pa-pa can be chosen by a simple pain-shin-st-th. Kar-di-na-ly, as well as teaching-st-vu-shchy in the conclave of the serving staff, are connected by both-volume of silence about everything that goes to the conclave, only pa-pa can leave them from him. Kar-di-na-ly, who were late for the beginning of the conclave, have the right to go to him, and for-bo-left-shi during the conclave kar- di-na-ly can-gut him-ki-nut ..G. Rats-owls.

In the first half of March, the Catholic world expects an important event- Election of a new pope. The holding of the Conclave attracts the attention of people, regardless of their religion and views. There is already a lot of excitement around this event: in Rome, on the streets closest to the streets and rooftops, there are cameras from television companies from all over the world; magazines and newspapers place comments and forecasts on their pages every day.

According to the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution of the Universi Dominici Gregis, the conclave is convened no earlier than 15 and no later than 20 days from the beginning of the period of the vacant throne. 115 cardinals will take part in the Conclave, 67 of which have been elevated to this rank. Two of them will turn 80 in March, but this is not an obstacle to voting. Only those who will be 80 years old on the first day of the vacant throne will not be able to enter the Conclave.

Within 2 weeks, all the cardinals participating in the selection of a new pontiff should arrive in the Vatican. However, due to the fact that Benedict XVI announced his decision in advance, this Conclave will be able to start earlier. Its participants have the opportunity to arrive in Rome in advance and therefore, according to the press secretary of the Holy See Father, the procedure for electing a new Pope will take place at an earlier date.

The first election of the Pontiff "for behind closed doors” took place in 1198. Then, in order to elect a new Pope, the cardinals themselves wished to hide from the world in one of the monasteries. But the very word "conclave" arose in connection with another event.

To remember him, you need to travel back to 1268, in small town Viterbo is located 82 kilometers from Rome. It was here, after the death of Clement IV, that the cardinals gathered to elect a new pope. However, during the 19 months of the sede vacante period, they could not agree on his candidacy. To speed up this process, the inhabitants of the city locked the voters in the episcopal palace. This is where the name "conclave" came from, which is translated from the Latin cum clave, meaning "closed with a key." The election of the Pope then lasted 2 years and 9 months and ended with the election of St. Peter Gregory X. It was he who, in 1274, first used the word "conclave" in the apostolic constitution Ubi periculum.

It is also interesting to note that the conclave was not always held in the form it is now. In the early centuries of Christianity, the new Pontiff was elected by the clergy and people of Rome. A few centuries later, this right was reserved only for Roman priests, and even later, in the 11th century, Pope Nicholas II legalized the election of the Pope by the cardinals.

Today, the right to choose the Pope has purples no older than 80 years. During the Conclave, the electors and their assistants live in the House of St. Martha (Domus Sanctae Marthae) in the Vatican, and the voting itself, since the construction of the Sistine Chapel, takes place in it. At the time of the Conclave, unauthorized persons are not allowed to the house, telephone communications and correspondence with outside world.

In the beginning, ballot papers are distributed to the cardinals and a counting board, consisting of three cardinals, is chosen. Three auditors and three infirmaries are also chosen to collect the votes of the cardinals who are in the infirmary (if any). On the ballot paper, each cardinal clearly writes the name of the person for whom he votes, and then, folding the completed ballot and holding it in his raised hand, lowers it into the ballot box set on the altar. All ballots are counted, and if their number matches the number of participants in the Conclave, the votes are counted.

A two-thirds majority plus one vote is required to elect the Pope. After each vote, all ballots are burned in the presence of the cardinals. In the event that none of the cardinals is elected, from the pipe goes black smoke (chemicals are added to the ballots), but if a new Bishop of Rome is elected, then from the pipe goes white smoke signifying the end of the election. To avoid misunderstandings, white smoke is also accompanied by the ringing of bells.

According to tradition, after being elected to the Throne of St. Peter, the pontiff chooses a new name for himself. The first Pope to change his name upon accession to the throne was John II in 533. The reason for this act of the Holy Father was his given name- Mercury, in this case, so as not to be called the name of the ancient Roman pagan god. After John II, other popes began to choose a new name for themselves. Interestingly, in the entire history of the papacy, only one name - Peter, which belonged to the apostle and the first Pope, is not repeated. The change of name eventually became the rule, however, despite this, there were exceptions: for example, Cardinal Adrian Buyens, who lived at the turn of the 15th-16th centuries, chose the name Adrian VI, and Cardinal Marcello Cervini became Marcellus II.

Then the ceremony of dressing the new Pontiff in papal robes is performed. The Pope goes to a special room located near the Sistine Chapel, where there are three white cassocks: a small one, a medium one and big size. The pope dresses the one that is more appropriate for his build and at the same time he has the opportunity to think about what words to greet the faithful. After changing clothes, the Pontiff returns to the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals approach him in turn to show honor and obedience. And then all together thank God with the hymn Te Deum.

After that, the cardinal protodeacon enters the central loggia of the Basilica of St. Petra, the so-called bed of blessing, and pronounces the formula Habemus Papam ("We have a Pope"), calls his name and introduces to the people. Then the newly elected pontiff appears and performs the blessing of Urbi et Orbi - "the city and the world."

The last two Popes, at this moment, addressed the faithful with short speech on the Italian. Previously, such a tradition did not exist, moreover, when John Paul II expressed a desire to do this, he was not allowed by the master of ceremonies. Finally, a few days after the election, a solemn papal Enthronement is held, during which the Pope receives two symbols of papal authority - the pallium and the Fisherman's ring.

The history of conclaves shows that the Church has always sought to develop an optimal model for the election of pontiffs. It is not the technical aspects of this assembly of cardinals that are important here, but the deep meaning and understanding that the Church has always tried to choose a worthy Successor of St. Peter.

Dictionary Ushakov

Conclave

conclave in, conclave, husband. (lat. conclave - locked room) ( church download). A council of cardinals meeting to elect a pope.

Political Science: Dictionary-Reference

Conclave

(from lat. conclave locked room)

meeting (since 1274) of cardinals, convened after the death of the pope to elect a new one. It takes place in a room isolated from the outside world.

Medieval world in terms, names and titles

Conclave

(from lat. conclave - a locked room) - a meeting of cardinals (as well as the room where they gather), convened a few days after the death of the pope to elect a new pope. The beginning of this order was laid by Pope Nicholas II in 1059, who established that only a 7-member board of cardinal-bishops could elect the pope (the rest of the clergy and secular persons were excluded from the elections). Subsequently, the electoral college was replenished by cardinal presbyters and cardinal deacons. The procedure for holding the cardinal was established by Pope Gregory X in 1274: the cardinals sit and live in a room with bricked-up doors, voting at the cardinal is secret.

Lit.: Lynch J. Middle Church. Kiev, 1994.

Lem's world - dictionary and guide

Conclave

assembly of cardinals to elect a new pope:

* "But even a conclave can be driven to cannibalism if you act patiently and slowly." - Voice of Heaven*

Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms

Conclave

♦ (ENG conclave)

(from lat. cum clavis - with a key)

a term denoting an enclosed space, in which cardinals elect a new dad. It also signifies the assembly of these cardinals.

encyclopedic Dictionary

Conclave

(from lat. conclave - a locked room), a meeting (since 1274) of cardinals, convened after the death of the pope to elect a new one. It takes place in a room isolated from the outside world.

Ozhegov's dictionary

CONCL BUT AT, a, m. Council of cardinals electing the pope.

Dictionary of Efremova

Conclave

m.
Council of Cardinals electing the Pope after the death of his predecessor.

Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

Conclave

(lat. conclave, actually locked hall) - a hall in which cardinals gather to elect a pope, and then this meeting itself. According to the decrees of Pope Gregory X, issued at the Council of Lyon in 1274, K. should consist of one hall, which has only one entrance, which is locked after all the cardinals have gathered. Cardinals can leave K. only after the election of the pope; before that, all communication with the outside world is forbidden; food is served to them through the window. Cardinals during K. are served conclaveists, who also must not leave the hall of K. until the end of the elections and preliminarily take an oath of unconditional silence about everything that happens on K.; among the conclaveists are also doctors who are invited in the event of a sudden illness of a cardinal sitting in the K. In the Vatican, on the sides of the hall serving for K., small rooms are arranged for the cardinals, separated from each other by woolen curtains. For the election procedure, see Pope.

There are a lot of interesting, fascinating, amazing things in the history of mankind. There are facts and events, to prove the truth of which is almost impossible due to the lack of written sources. Others are well documented and studied. Take such an event as a conclave. It only seems that the elections in different periods stories are fully explored, all mysteries are revealed. In fact, this process is quite interesting for the general public. And some even believe that the conclave is the first of known cases development of bureaucratic rules and procedures. Quite possibly. Let's briefly describe this event, and how to regard it, decide for yourself.

What is a conclave

To begin with, for those who have not previously encountered this concept, we will give a definition. "Conclave" is the term given to a special meeting of cardinals after the death of another pontiff. The purpose of the event: the election of the next head of the Catholic world. The rules of the conclave have evolved over time, changed many times. However, the essence remained unchanged. The meaning of the word "conclave" probably best conveys what is happening. It translates from Latin as "locked room". The election process is rigorous. Cardinals are isolated from society. They are forbidden to use any means of communication during the conclave, to talk with outsiders. It is believed that the election of a pontiff is a religious act. Cardinals should consult only with the Lord, determining the most worthy. And so that there are no temptations and intrigues, of which history has known a lot, the process is closely monitored by specially appointed church officials.

Event scheme

Let's describe how the pontiff is currently chosen. It is important to understand that the procedure has evolved over the centuries. And they were associated with various circumstances. When the throne dies, it becomes vacant. Not earlier than fifteen days from the date of his release, but not later than twenty, the conclave meets. History does not know cases when this rule violated. Only cardinals who are not yet eighty years old take part in the elections. Their total number should not exceed one hundred and twenty people. Electors with accompanying persons are settled in the Vatican, in the house of St. Martha. And the voting procedure always takes place in one place: in the Sistine Chapel. Cardinals are locked in this room. First they all pray together, and then they try to make a choice. The pope is the one who gets a third and one vote of all participants. Each is given a ballot. The cardinals write the name of the chosen one on it and throw it into a special urn, adhering to the principle of seniority. That is, the first to vote is the one who is more than all the years. Approaching the urn, everyone takes an oath: "Witness Christ the Lord, who will judge me, that I choose the one who, I think before God, should be chosen."

Vote Counting

Many have heard the parable of the smoke used to signal to the world that a new pope has been elected. This is not fiction. Indeed, ballots are burned after the procedure is completed. But the smoke does not always herald a new pontiff. There is strict rule: The number of ballots must match the number of people present. That is, they are taken out and counted. If it does not converge, then everything is burned. In this case, the smoke is made specially black (using straw or chemical substances). It's a sign failed attempt. Upon its completion, the next one is held. And everything with the calculations is repeated again. Voting can last three days. In the first round, only one round is held, in subsequent rounds, four are allowed. If it is impossible to choose a pontiff, after three days of work, the two most popular candidates are determined. The winner is determined by a simple majority.

The final stage

The chosen pontiff must publicly, among the cardinals, accept the powers. This person is approached with the question: “Do you accept the canonical choice of you as the Supreme High Priest?”. Having received an affirmative answer, they offer the new Pope to determine a name for himself. Only after that the procedure is considered completed. The ballots are burned, signaling the success of the election to believers with white smoke. Now the procedure is accompanied by the ringing of bells. The pontiff retires to a special room, where he must choose a white cassock from three prepared in advance, differing in size. The electors are waiting for his return to pay respect and obedience.

Conclave: reforms

The process of electing a pontiff was often deadlocked. This happened even when there were no hard and fast rules. Believers had to repeatedly lock up the cardinals, refuse food to stimulate their activity. Pope Blessed Gregory X issued a special document by which he introduced the isolation of electors from society. The ballots and voting procedure were approved by Pius IV in 1562. Pope Gregory XV continued the reform process. He issued bulls that regulate the ceremonies and norms of elections. The venue for the conclave was officially established in the fourteenth century. Most latest document, repealing all previous norms, signed by Pope John Paul II. Its constitution defines a conclave as the only way election of a pontiff.

Exceptional Cases

As a rule, the Pope has power until his last breath. History knows only two cases of voluntary abandonment of this the highest office. The first to abdicate was Gregory XII (1415). This event happened at a time of deep schism in the church. In those days there were two pontiffs who tore apart the flock. Gregory XII promised that he would leave the throne if his rival did the same. The oath had to be fulfilled for the sake of peace in the religious community. The next renunciation happened quite recently, in 2013. He said that his state of health did not allow him to serve properly. On these two occasions the conclave met in the presence of the living pontiff, who had renounced his ordination.

Who can become the Pope

You know, the pontiff has enormous power. In past centuries, it was considered rightfully unlimited. They just don't get appointed to that position. Today, candidates are selected from among the cardinals. But it was not always so. In 1179, the Third Council of the Lateran established that any unmarried male Catholic could apply for office. Urban VI, who was subsequently elected Pope, was not a cardinal. It is necessary to understand what the conclave means for believers. We mentioned that simple people influenced the course of the elections. The fact is that it is very important for Catholics to know that they have a head, that is, a representative of the Lord on earth. Without the Pope, believers feel like children without a father, and even scold the sluggish cardinals. Hence the tradition with smoke - a joyful signal for many people. This is a joyful event for Catholics, giving them hope that they are protected from devilish machinations and other indecency.

Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. The number of cardinals participating in the election of the Bishop of Rome should not exceed 120. The electors and those who accompany them live on the territory of the Vatican, now the house of St. Martha. The voting itself takes place in the Sistine Chapel. All participants in the conclave must not disclose any information related to the elections.

From the moment the conclave begins, the house of St. Martha, the Sistine Chapel and places intended for the celebration of the liturgy must be closed to anyone who does not have the right to be present in them. The entire territory of the Vatican and its institutions must be entirely subordinated to maintaining an atmosphere of silence and prayer. No one has the right to approach cardinal electors. Correspondence and telephone communication are prohibited. Cardinals do not have the right to communicate with those who are not participating in the conclave.
In order for the course of the conclave to run smoothly, the secretary of the College of Cardinals, who acts as secretary of the elections, the chief master of ceremonies with two assistants and two monks, employees of the papal sacristy, are appointed for its time. Also, during the elections, the cardinals are assisted by several confessors who speak several languages ​​and two doctors.

On the day the conclave begins, the cardinals gather in St. Peter's Basilica for morning mass, which is performed by the cardinal dean. Later, in the afternoon, the cardinals, led by the cardinal dean, gather in the Paolina Chapel and go to the Sistine Chapel with the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus. This place will be closed until the end of the election. Before the start, the cardinal electors swear on the gospel that they will observe everything that is indicated in the documents regarding the election of the pontiff.
After the oath, the masters of ceremonies and the clergyman remain in the chapel, who will offer spiritual reflections to the conclave participants. After completion, both of them leave the chapel.
The cardinals in charge of secrecy must ensure that no transmission devices are installed in the chapel. Electors are prohibited from reading newspapers and magazines, listening to radio and television during the conclave.

The first phase of the conclave (pre-scrutinium) includes preparation and distribution of voting cards, the election of three scrutators (calculating commission), three infirmaries (they collect votes from cardinals in the infirmary) and three auditors. They are chosen for the duration of the conclave.

As soon as the actual voting procedure begins, the papal master of ceremonies, the masters of ceremonies and the secretary of the College of Cardinals leave the premises, which are closed by the junior cardinal deacon. During the voting, the cardinals remain alone in the Sistine Chapel. On the ballot paper, the cardinal clearly writes, in a handwriting as unrecognizable as possible, the name of the person for whom he votes.

The second phase of voting (scrutinium) includes: putting the ballots into the ballot box, mixing them, recounting the ballots and votes.
Each cardinal in seniority, having written his name on the ballot and folded it, holding it up so that it is visible, brings it to the altar, on which the ballot box is set. Approaching her, the cardinal pronounces the words of the oath: Witness Christ the Lord, who will judge me, that I choose the one who, I consider before God, should be chosen».
This oath is taken only during the first round of voting. Bulletins are not signed.
Putting the ballot in the ballot box, each voter bows before the altar and returns to his place. If there are sick cardinals, then infirmarii recover to them with a portable urn. Before that, it is publicly opened so that those present can make sure that it is empty. After the sick cardinals vote, the urn is brought into the chapel and the ballots from it are added to the rest.

If the number of ballots cast and the number of cardinals voting do not match, all ballots are not read and burned. If there are no problems with the number, then the votes are counted. The first member of the Accounts Chamber opens the ballots. Each member of the counting commission writes the name of the candidate on the ballot, and the last one also announces this name aloud. The last of the spinners, as the names on the ballots are read, pierces them with a needle in the place where the word Eligio (I choose) is located and strings them on a thread. After all the names have been read, the thread is tied and in this state the ballots are placed either on the edge of the table or in a vessel.
Then the scouters proceed to recount the votes. Each ballot is taken out separately and put into another empty vessel. If the number of ballots does not match the number of voters, then the paper is burned and a second vote begins.

The third phase of the conclave (post-scrutinium): counting of votes, control and burning of ballots.
A two-thirds majority plus one vote is required to elect a pope. Whether or not a pope has been elected, the auditors control the ballots. Before the cardinals leave the chapel, all records must be burned. In case no one is selected, the smoke is black ( formerly wet straw was added to the ballots, and since 1958 chemicals), but if a new bishop of Rome is chosen, then there is white smoke. Now, in order to avoid misunderstandings, white smoke is also accompanied by the ringing of bells.

During the first day of the conclave, one vote may be taken. In the event that during the first vote no one is elected or the vote of the first day of the conclave was not held, then every next day four rounds of voting are held: two in the morning and two in the evening.
If the cardinals have difficulty in electing and cannot choose a pope for three days, then a break is made for one day for prayer and reflection. After it comes another series of seven votes.
If these votes do not bring results, then the cardinals must decide the fate of the further course of the vote. There are several options. Either the choice must be made absolute majority votes, or one must vote for two cardinals who have received large quantity votes in previous rounds.

After the final results of the successful vote are announced, the junior cardinal deacon, ringing the bell, summons the secretary of the College of Cardinals and the papal master of ceremonies to the voting room. The cardinal dean asks the newly elected pope: Do you accept the canonical choice of you as Supreme High Priest?". Also, the newly elected pope announces his new name, after the cardinal dean asks him: “ What name do you want to be called?» After the election, the cardinal, if he is ordained a bishop, immediately becomes the pope, receiving full power. The conclave ends after agreeing to be elected as the new pope.

After these procedures, the pope goes to the so-called weeping room (camera lacrimatoria) - a small room near the Sistine Chapel, where he must choose a white cassock from the three sizes presented there. He also puts on a red embroidered table and goes out to the cardinals in the chapel.
Cardinals approach the newly elected pope, expressing respect and obedience. And then they thank God with the hymn Te Deum.

After that, the cardinal protodeacon enters the central loggia of the Basilica of St. Petra, the so-called bed of blessing, and announces the formula Habemus Papam (We have a dad). After which the newly elected Pope bestows the blessing of Urbi et Orbi on all. A few days after the election, papal enthronement takes place.

Mikhail Fateev

Source - baznica.info