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In MEMORIAM Pope John Paul II - EWTN · HABEMUS PAPAM The new Pope is introduced by the Cardinal...

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In MEMORIAM Pope John Paul II The superlatives regarding the pontificate of Pope John Paul II are many – most traveled pope, most men and women beatified and canonized, most cardinals created and more. However, his most enduring legacy will be as the authentic interpreter of the Second Vatican Council. While this task necessarily falls to any post-conciliar pope, it was, in a special way, the providential mission of Pope John Paul II. He was prepared for this role in history by his expertise in integrating the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas with contemporary philosophical interest in the human person. This personalism was the keynote of the Second Vatican Council, as well as the lifelong work of Karol Wojtyla, as professor, priest, bishop, and pontiff. Furthermore, as a bishop participating in the Council he was intimately involved in the preparation and approval of its sixteen documents. There was literally no one with better credentials for God to have chosen as pontiff for the period after the reigns of Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI. Interregnum/Vacancy of the Holy See With the death of the 264th Successor to St. Peter the Apostle as Supreme Pastor, the Church enters upon the solemn task of mourning the passing of the third longest reigning pope in history and preparing for a papal election, or Conclave. This period of the Vacancy of the Holy See, or the Interregnum, is divided into three stages: • Born Karol Wojtyla, 18 May 1920 • Ordained a Priest, 1 November 1946 • Consecrated a Bishop, 1 July 1958 • Installed as Archbishop, 8 March 1964 • Chosen a Cardinal, 29 May 1967 • Elected Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff, 16 October 1978 Requiescat in pace.
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Page 1: In MEMORIAM Pope John Paul II - EWTN · HABEMUS PAPAM The new Pope is introduced by the Cardinal Dean from the loggia (balcony) of St. PeterÕs Basilica with the cry ÒHabemus Papam!Ó

In MEMORIAMPope John Paul II

The superlatives regarding the pontificate of Pope John Paul II are many – most traveled pope, most men and women beatified and canonized, most cardinals created and more. However, his most enduring legacy will be as the authentic interpreter of the Second Vatican Council. While this task necessarily falls to any post-conciliar pope, it was, in a special way, the providential mission of Pope John Paul II. He was prepared for this role in history by his expertise in integrating the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas with contemporary philosophical interest in the human person. This personalism was the keynote of the

Second Vatican Council, as well as the lifelong work of Karol Wojtyla, as professor, priest, bishop, and pontiff. Furthermore, as a bishop participating in the Council he was intimately involved in the preparation and approval of its sixteen documents. There was

literally no one with better credentials for God to have chosen as pontiff for the period after the reigns of Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI.

Interregnum/Vacancy of the Holy See With the death of the 264th Successor to St. Peter the Apostle as Supreme Pastor, the Church enters upon the solemn task of mourning the passing of the third longest reigning pope in history and preparing for a papal election, or Conclave. This period of the Vacancy of the Holy See, or the Interregnum, is divided into three stages:

• Born Karol Wojtyla, 18 May 1920• Ordained a Priest, 1 November 1946• Consecrated a Bishop, 1 July 1958 • Installed as Archbishop, 8 March 1964• Chosen a Cardinal, 29 May 1967• Elected Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff, 16 October 1978 Requiescat in pace.

Page 2: In MEMORIAM Pope John Paul II - EWTN · HABEMUS PAPAM The new Pope is introduced by the Cardinal Dean from the loggia (balcony) of St. PeterÕs Basilica with the cry ÒHabemus Papam!Ó

(Interregnum continued … )

• Nine days of mourning (novemdiales)• Days of Preparation for the election (between novemdiales and Conclave)• Conclave (must start no earlier than day 16 and no later than day 21).

NOVEMDIALES On the fifth day of mourning, or another day if the Cardinals so determine, the solemn funeral and interment of the Holy Father takes place. On each of the nine days the Cardinals are obliged to celebrate Mass for the repose of the Pope’s soul. All Cardinals who are physically able and under 80 years of age, and thus eligible to vote, must travel to Rome for the election.

DAYS OF PREPARATION After the Novemdiales have concluded, the Cardinals will meet to decide when the Conclave will begin. Ordinarily that day is the 16th day of the vacancy, but “for serious reasons” it may be postponed as late as the 21st day. During this period the Cardinals may discuss the state of the Church, but any electioneering is strictly forbidden.

CONCLAVE The Conclave begins with a Mass and procession to the Sistine Chapel, where voting will take place. Only the Cardinals and a few assistants will be present. The Cardinals are sequestered from the world until a new pope is elected, and all outside communication is forbidden.

The Cardinal Electors will vote up to four times daily until a new pope is elected. The results of the one or two morning votes, and then again of one or two afternoon votes, are announced at the end of each session by smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel – black for no election, white for an election. Election is by two-thirds of the votes and the consent of the one elected. If the elected is present (he need not be an Elector or even a Cardinal, but usually is), provided he is at least a Bishop he becomes Bishop of Rome and Pope at the moment of his consent. Immediately he chooses a name and the Conclave is technically concluded. The ballots are then burned, producing the characteristic white smoke indicating a successful election.

HABEMUS PAPAM The new Pope is introduced by the Cardinal Dean from the loggia (balcony) of St. Peter’s Basilica with the cry “Habemus Papam!” (We have a Pope). The Dean next announces who was elected and the name he has chosen. The new Pope then appears, making his first address, and giving his first blessing, “to the city and the world” (Urbi et Orbi). Since Paul VI the Popes have fore-gone the more solemn and kingly “coronation” or “enthronement” in favor of liturgical “installation.” Installation takes place a few days after the election. However, papal authority is vested in the elected from the moment of his consent to election.

Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, I will give you

the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;

and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Mt. 16:18-19)

When the Cardinals gather in Conclave they will do so as Electors of the Bishop of Rome. The man elected to succeed St. Peter in the Roman diocese, succeeds him also as the Supreme Pastor of Christ’s Church. As the Roman bishop he is the Vicar of Christ, the Archbishop and Metropolitan of the surrounding dioceses of the Roman Province, the First Bishop or Primate of Italy, the Patriarch of the West, that is, of those Churches rooted in the Latin ritual tradition. Finally, in worldly matters, he is the Sovereign of the Vatican City State, a temporal rule which helps preserve the independence of the papacy from secular powers. The Bishop of Rome is also known as the Servant of the Servants of God, since in imitation of Christ he is called to serve the People of God. As spiritual father to all Christians he is likewise Pope or papa, and Holy Father and Holiness, not because he is holy but because the things of Christ which he administers are holy. All of these titles belong to the man elected Pope.

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Prayer for the Repose of the Soul of

Pope John Paul IIFather, eternal shepherd, hear the prayers of your people for your

servant John Paul II, who governed your Church with love. In your mercy bring him with the flock entrusted to

his care to the reward you have promised your faithful servants. We

ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

(Roman Missal)

Prayer for theElection of a Pope

Lord God, you are our eternal shepherd and guide. In your mercy grant your Church a shepherd who will walk in your ways and whose watchful care will bring us your

blessing. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives

and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen. (Roman Missal)

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