Conclave, Camerlingue, Papabile, Protodiacre … The words that will have to be known in the coming days

Conclave

This is the assembly of cardinals, gathered to elect a new pope. According to the protocol, it takes place about fifteen days after the death of the Sovereign Pontiff and brings together a theoretical minimum of 120 voters. The cardinals are isolated from the outside, throughout the voting duration. A device which dates back to the year 1241, when the cardinals were forced to lock themselves in a ruined palace to agree on the election of Célestin IV. The common name “conclave” thus comes from the Latin expression cum clavewhich means “with a key”.

Camerlingue

This title is essentially honorary but it makes sense when the Holy See is vacant. Camerlingue is responsible for administering current affairs of the pontifical government, with reduced powers, between the death of the Pope and the election of his successor.

Currently, the cardinal who holds this function is Kevin Farrell, an original Irishman and naturalized American. The French equivalent of its name is “Chambellan”, derived from Italian camerawhich means “room”. In the Middle Ages, the title conferred on its holder the responsibility to manage the temporal goods of the Holy See (finances, furniture, buildings, etc.).

Cardinalice College

The term designates all the cardinals of the Catholic Church. Their mission is to assist the pope in the church government. When the Holy See is vacant, the Cardinalice College can support Camerlingue in the management of current affairs.

Some of them also prepare the funeral of the Sovereign Pontiff. Important clarification: within this college, only those under 80 can vote to elect the successor of the Pope.

General congregations

These meetings are organized between the Cardinals, as soon as the Pope’s death or renunciation. They allow the Cardinalice College (see definition above) To come together to get to know each other better and take stock of the situation of the Catholic Church, as the vote approaches.

These events, organized daily, brings together several dozen cardinals from around the world, including those over 80, which will not be able to participate in the vote. Like the conclave, these meetings are held in camera, and it is difficult to unravel the secrets.

Protodiacre

He is the one who announces the name of the new pope, at the Balcony of the Saint-Pierre Basilica in Rome. In the coming weeks, the French cardinal Dominique Mamberti will therefore pronounce, before the believers, the very famous formula “Habemus papam”, which means “we have a pope. In 2013, another French cardinal, Jean-Louis Tauran, had already had this honor by announcing the election of Pope Francis.

Papabili and preferiti

These two Italian adjectives respectively mean “papables” and “favorites”. They qualify the cardinals who are likely to be elected at the head of the Holy See. The term “papabili”, which is more familiar, is frequently used by the Vatican purposes. During each papal election, these experts draw up a list of “papabili”, expected for their experience or their popularity within the Church. But the unexpected election of Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II), in 1978, showed that these forecasts did not always work!

Rogito

The term is technical and simple. It designates an official “act”, as a notarial act. In the case of the Pope’s death, the rogito is the text which is read before the closure of the coffin and which summarizes the life and the main works of the deceased.

Often written in Latin, in two copies, this document is signed by those present. The first copy, rolled in a sealed metal tube, is then deposited in the coffin and the second given to the Vatican archives. This rite should take place on April 25 or 26.