Follow the conclave news and discover the behind-the-scenes of this centuries-old tradition.
At the heart of the mystery of the conclave, this sacred ritual by which the Catholic Church designates a new sovereign pontiff, lies a series of silent gestures, discreet signs, imperceptible clues to the uninitiated, but meaningful to insiders. Among these gestures is a singular action, rarely observed but which, when it occurs, attracts the attention of Vatican experts and those in the know: that of the elected cardinal who, in the moment following his acceptance of the Petrine ministry, removes his red skullcap—called zucchetto—to offer it to the secretary of the conclave.
The conclave, a solemn and mysterious moment when cardinals gather to elect a new pope, follows a process codified long ago, which has its roots in the history of the Church. However, the whole process has undergone numerous changes while maintaining the sacred dimension of the papal monarchy. Here we review the rules of the conclave and the modalities of papal election, taking into account the latest changes introduced by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
It is sometimes said that the Holy Spirit "makes" the election of the Pope. But God does not dictate decisions to men. He enlightens them, provided they are open to his action.
