How is the Pope chosen? Who are the cardinals? In what case are bishops seated on bread and water? Why is the name of the person elected to the throne of St. Peter changed? What does Michelangelo Buonarroti have to do with the election of the Pope? Hieromonk of the Russian Orthodox Church, Italian historian, researcher of Eastern Christianity and writer, employee of the DECR John (Guaita) tells.
From 8 pm on February 28 of this year, the period of Sede vacante - the vacancy of the papal throne - opened for the Roman Catholic Church.
According to the rules established by Pope John Paul II, from that moment on, the heads of all departments of the Roman Curia, including the secretary of state (Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone) and cardinals (or archbishops) who are prefects of congregations, chairmen of papal councils, etc., are deprived of their mandates. The secretaries of the departments of the Vatican, the Camerlenge of the Holy Roman Church (Tarcisio Bertone), who is the locum tenens of the Apostolic See, and the dean of the College of Cardinals (Angelo Sodano), who usually convenes and presides over the conclave, continue to work. However, this time the Dean of the College will not take part in the conclave due to age.
The Chief Penitentiary (Portuguese Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro), Cardinal Vicar for the City of Rome (Italian Agostino Vallini), Cardinal Klyuchar of the Vatican Basilica (Italian Angelo Comastri, also Vicar for the State of the Vatican), Elemosinary of His Holiness (Italian Archbishop Guido Pozzo) also continue to work. ), the Papal Master of Ceremonies (Monsignor Guido Marini), the Deputy Secretary of State (Sardinian Archbishop Angelo Bechew), the Secretary for Relations with States (the "Foreign Minister" of the Holy See, the French Archbishop Dominique Mamberti) and all the Apostolic Nuncios.
The rules for the election of the Pontiff were established gradually and changed many times in the course of the development of the history of the Catholic Church. In the ancient Church it was not uncommon for bishops to appoint their successors; this, in all probability, was also the case in the Roman Church. But over time, bishops began to be chosen by the clergy and believers of a given area, most often by acclamation (per acclamationem), that is, by proclamation; sometimes as a result of an agreement reached between those participating in the elections - consensus (per compromissum), and only much later did the Church resort to the method of secret voting (per scrutinium). After the issuance of the edict of Constantine the Great, by decision of Pope Mark of 336, only the clergy of the Roman Church began to take part in the elections. The process of electing a bishop for a significant see (for example, a metropolis) involved the acting bishops of nearby dioceses, especially if these latter were subordinate to this vacant see.
In the 6th century, the emperor Justinian (527–565) introduces the rule that the election of the pope requires mandatory approval by the emperor. In the Middle Ages, secular persons had a great influence on the choice of popes: the Pontiff was either appointed or confirmed first by the Ostrogothic kings of Italy, then by the Byzantine emperors, and from the 9th century by the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire.
In 1059, Pope Nicholas II decides to entrust the election of the pope only to the cardinal-bishops, and in 1179, Pope Alexander III establishes a rule according to which the decision on the appointment of the pope can only be made by the full composition of the College of Cardinals.
The exact Rules for the selection of popes, partially valid even now, were adopted at the II Council of Lyons in 1274 after the process of electing Pope Gregory X took almost 3 years, more precisely, 1006 days. Under these Rules, the cardinals were required to assemble indoors and were not entitled to separate rooms. No cardinal was to have more than one minister unless he was sick. Food was delivered through the window and, if the elections lasted more than 3 days, it was reduced to one dish per reception, and after another five days, food was further reduced to taking only bread, wine and water. In addition, during the entire period of the sede vacante, all the ecclesiastical income of the cardinals was in the hands of the Camerleng (manager of affairs), who then transferred them to the disposal of the new Pope.
These rules have changed over the course of history. In 1621, Pope Gregory III introduced secret elections. Almost all recent popes have introduced changes that somewhat change the election procedure. Such innovations were adopted under John XXIII, and under Paul VI, and under John Paul II and under Benedict XVI.
So, today the election of the Pope takes place during the Conclave - the assembly, which gathers the cardinal electors. Cardinal in the Catholic Church is not a rank, but a dignity. A cardinal is an archbishop (or metropolitan, or patriarch of some Eastern rite Catholic Church) who has received the right to vote in the election of the Pope. Cardinals are appointed by the Pontifex alone.
When the Pope decides to elevate any bishop to the cardinal dignity, he first communicates his decision to the person concerned; then publicizes his name before the College of Cardinals. Sometimes, for political or other reasons (for example, if a person lives in a country where Christians are persecuted), the Pope can inform the person about his elevation to the cardinals, but not to announce the decision, but to keep him "in his heart" (in pectore). If the Pope dies without divulging the name of the Privy Cardinal, the person can no longer claim to be such.
According to ancient tradition, cardinals are divided into three "orders" - bishops, presbyters and deacons. In fact, in the Middle Ages, the immediate co-workers of the Pope as the bishop of Rome, namely the rectors of the main cathedrals of Rome and some city deacons, as well as bishops occupying the nearest sees of Rome, were called cardinals.
Starting from 1059, the cardinals became the only electors of the Pope, and from 1150 they began to form a college of cardinals headed by the Dean (the bishop of the port city of Ostia was him) and Kamerlengom.
In the XII century, the College also included prelates who lived far from the capital city. All cardinals, even those who had only a priestly or diaconal rank, received more power than simple bishops who were not cardinals: they could vote at Councils and enjoy other privileges. In the XIII-XV centuries. the number of cardinals usually did not exceed 30. At the end of the 16th century. Pope Sixtus V stated that there should be 70 of them - 6 from bishops, 50 from priests and 14 from deacons.
In 1962, John XXIII decided that all cardinals should be bishops, and three years later his successor Paul VI included the patriarchs of the Catholic Churches of the Eastern Rite in the cardinal college and established that when they reach the age of 80, all cardinals cease to work in the structures of the Roman Curia, and also lose the right to participate in the Conclave. In 1973, the same Pope decided that there should not be more than 120 cardinal electors.
According to the current canon law of the Catholic Church, priests can also become cardinals, but so far these are very rare cases. They must receive episcopal consecration, but there are exceptions here too. Czech Jesuit, specialist in Orthodox spirituality, Fr. Thomas Shpidlik, at the age of 84, was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope John Paul II. But the elderly Jesuit did not wish to receive hierarchical ordination and, with the permission of the Pontiff, remained a cardinal priest.
Despite the fact that today all cardinals have a bishopric, they are still divided into the traditional three orders: bishops, presbyters and deacons. Managing at the same time his diocese in some country of the world, each cardinal enters the clergy of the city of Rome or a nearby territory.
This means that each cardinal, depending on his “cardinal experience”, the importance of the diocese he rules, etc., is listed as a deacon or presbyter in one of the churches of the Eternal City or a bishop in one of the 7 nearest dioceses, called sedes suburbicariae , i.e. "country chairs" - Ostia, Albano, Frascati, Palestrina, Porto Santa Rufina, Sabina, Velletri. The Dean of the College of Cardinals traditionally holds the title of Bishop of Ostia.
Prior to Vatican II, the senior cardinals did govern these dioceses. Now they only bear the title, but in reality the vicar bishops living in their territory govern the diocese.
Cardinals working in the Curia and not having their own diocese are required to reside in the Eternal City; those cardinals who govern their diocese in any country of the world must come to Rome every time they are called by the Pope. The College of Cardinals is headed by the Dean or, in his absence, the Subdean.
The dean has no direct authority over the other cardinals, but is primus inter pares (first among equals). After the death of the Dean, the cardinal-bishops (who bear the titles of "sub-dean dioceses") assemble around the Sub-dean, or the eldest among them, and elect a new Dean. His election must be approved by the Pope.
The name of the electoral assembly for the election of the Pontiff, the Conclave, comes from the Latin expression cum clave, i.e. "(locked) with a key." It is connected with the memory of one real event in the history of the Latin Church. In 1270, the cardinals, assembled to elect the Pontiff, could not agree for a year and a half. Then the inhabitants of the city of Viterbo, where the residence of the Pontiff was then located, locked them in the papal palace, greatly reduced their food and dismantled the roof of the voting hall.
After that, the cardinals needed another 15 months, and only on September 1, 1271, they chose Pope Gregory X. It was this pope who, after 3 years, gathers the II Council of Lyon, at which, as mentioned above, clear rules were adopted according to which the Pope should be elected.
Those cardinals who, on the day of the death of the Pope (or his retirement), are already 80 years old, do not participate in the Conclave, but they can be elected to the See of Rome. According to the canon law of the Catholic Church, not only a cardinal can be elected pope, but any male Catholic, even a layman, but not married.
If the chosen one is not a bishop, according to the rules of the Ordo rituum conclavis, immediately after his consent, he must receive all the relevant ordinations. Historians believe that in the first centuries of the history of the Church, there were cases when a catechumen was elected pope, who immediately received baptism, and then deacon, priest and bishop ordination.
If a priest is elected pope, the Dean of the College of Cardinals must preside over the ceremony of his episcopal consecration; if a deacon is elected, then the Dean first ordains him as a presbyter, then as a bishop, and if a layman is elected, then, accordingly, he ordains first as a deacon, then as a presbyter, and after that as a bishop.
In fact, since the 14th century, only cardinals have been elected popes: Pope Urban VI, elected in 1378, was the last non-cardinal.
There are currently 209 cardinals in the Catholic Church, of which 117 have the right to vote, and 92 do not have this right, since they are over 80 years old.
The former senior archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholics, Cardinal Lubomyr Huzar, born on February 26, 1933, will not be able to take part in the Conclave, as he turned 80 two days before the Pope retired; and Cardinal Walter Kasper, who was born on March 5, 1933, will take part, despite the fact that he will be over 80 years old by the time the Conclave opens.
To date, it is known that 115 cardinals will participate in the Conclave, since one cannot for health reasons and another one, who was at the center of another scandal, decided not to appear in Rome.
Immediately after the death of the Pope (or his retirement), the so-called "congregations" begin to work. They are, in essence, a kind of provisional government of the Church. There are "general" and "particular" congregations.
The General Congregations meet every day and include all cardinals, including those who cannot vote (because of age) in the Conclave. They are headed by the Dean, or Subdean, or the most senior of the cardinals entitled to vote in the Conclave.
The congregations general make all major decisions during the vacancy of the papacy. These are, first of all, decisions regarding the funeral of the Pope, organizational issues about the residence of cardinals, setting the date for the start of the Conclave, etc.
During the work of one of the first general congregations, the cardinals pronounce the first oath - to maintain secrecy regarding everything related to the election of the Pontiff. Also, during the work of the Congregations, before the start of the Conclave, the cardinals listen to the first sermon, which is addressed to them by a specially chosen monk, known for his pious life.
At the same time, “particular congregations” also gather, which resolve less important issues as they arise. They involve Kamerleng and three cardinals (one from each "order"). These three cardinals are chosen by lot and rotate every three days.
According to canon law, the Conclave must open no earlier than 15 days after the start of the vacancy of the papal throne, but no later than 20 days.
These 15-20 days are needed for organizational preparatory work, in order to wait for the arrival of cardinals from all over the world in Rome, and also so that the cardinals have time to communicate with each other and discuss candidates before the voting begins. However, Pope Benedict XVI granted the College of Cardinals the right to open the Conclave without waiting 15 days after the departure of the Pontiff, if all the voting cardinals managed to get to Rome.
Traditionally, the Conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel. Built in 1475-1481, this world-famous chapel is called the Sistine Chapel in honor of the patron Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere. The chapel is decorated with the famous Last Judgment fresco, created by one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance, Michelangelo Buonarroti.
The Sistine Chapel. The Last Judgment by Michelangelo Buonarroti
The conclave is held in strict secrecy. In the Sistine Chapel, where voting takes place, no one should be in addition to the cardinal electors. The cardinals themselves, for the entire time of the Conclave, live on the territory of the Vatican in the House of St. Martha, a specially built hotel, where no one else can live at that time.
As soon as the first meeting begins and until the results of the election of the new Pope are announced, the cardinals are strictly prohibited from any communication with the outside world: not only can they not meet with people who are not related to the election of the Pontiff, but they cannot talk on the phone, write letters, use any means communications.
Cardinals also cannot leave the territory of the State of the Vatican. And if in the Vatican territory itself the cardinal meets a person who is not participating in the Conclave (including a cleric or other cardinal who does not have the right to vote), he must refrain from communicating with this person.
During the entire duration of the Conclave, the cardinals have at their disposal two physicians, several confessors who speak several languages, and several technical staff. All these people are carefully chosen by the Kamerleng, receive his blessing for the performance of their duties and sign an oath that if they accidentally learn anything related to the elections, they will maintain eternal silence.
Violation of secrecy by these people is a crime that is punishable by excommunication latae sententiae from the Church, that is, automatic excommunication, which does not require a verdict of an ecclesiastical court. Lord cardinals are strictly urged in the face of their Christian conscience (“graviter oneerata ipsorum conscientia”) to keep the secret even after the election of the Pontiff.
After the completion of the Sistine Chapel and until almost the end of the twentieth century during the Conclave, the cardinals lived in the chambers adjacent to the chapel itself. It was impromptu housing, extremely inconvenient for the elderly, often without amenities; but the cardinals could get into the chapel without going outside. Pope John Paul II built the house of St. Martha on the territory of the Vatican especially for the Conclave. This is an ordinary hotel with small single rooms with private facilities.
Previously, during the Conclave, the cardinals were not only forbidden to communicate with the outside world, but it was considered that they should not communicate with each other either. Each of them had to vote according to their conscience and "secundum Deum" - as inspired by the Lord himself. Therefore, agreements between the voting cardinals, discussions of possible candidates, and even just talk were considered inappropriate.
In the second half of the 20th century, before the construction of the house of St. Martha began, Pope John Paul II ordered that small halls be included in the project so that the cardinals could freely gather in groups, talk about the pressing problems of the Church, and even discuss candidates.
A few days before the start of the Conclave, the Sistine Chapel is checked by appropriate technical means for the absence of audio and video recording or transmitting equipment. During the Conclave, cardinals are prohibited from using tape recorders, radios, photo and video equipment, cell phones, etc. All records made by the cardinals themselves during the meetings are burned at the end of each day.
So, on the fifteenth day after the departure of the Pope, or later (but before the twentieth day), the Dean of the College of Cardinals presides over a special mass Pro eligendo Papa ("for the selection of the Pontiff"), which may be celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica or in another temple. Then the cardinals, who have the right to vote, gather at a certain hour in the afternoon in the Paolina Chapel of the Apostolic Palace and, singing the Veni Creator prayer, calling for the help of the Holy Spirit, proceed in procession to the Sistine Chapel to the place of elections.
The conclave is usually led by a Cardinal Dean or Subdean. According to the rules established by John Paul II, if the Dean and Subdean do not participate in the vote due to age, the meeting of cardinal electors shall be presided over by the eldest of them in age.
First of all, the cardinals take an oath. The dean or senior elector reads a general long text stating that they undertake to maintain eternal and complete silence regarding the circumstances of the election of the Pope. Then each cardinal in turn, holding his hand on the Gospel, completes the vow with the words: “And I, Cardinal N, promise, pledge and swear. And may God help me and the Holy Gospel on which my hand rests.
After the oath has been taken by the last electing cardinal, the Chief Pontifical Master of Ceremonies declares extra omnes ("All out!") and all persons not related to the Conclave must leave the Sistine Chapel. The junior cardinal deacon locks the door and the conclave begins.
There remains a monk-preacher who delivers a second sermon before the cardinals. After that, he leaves the Sistine Chapel along with the Chief Master of Ceremonies. Then prayers follow.
If, as we have seen, there used to be different ways of electing the Pope (per acclamationem or per compromissum), today, according to the rules established by Pope John Paul II in c. 1996, the Pope is elected exclusively by secret ballot (per scrutinium).
At the beginning of each meeting of the Conclave, the junior cardinal-deacon chooses by lot three counting officers (Scrutatores), three auditors (Revisores) and three assistants who, among other things, collect ballots from the sick (Infirmarii).
The bulletin is rectangular. It says: Eligo in Summum Ponteficem "I choose to be the High Priests", and the name of the person for whom the vote is cast is written on it. Each cardinal, in order of precedence, approaches the altar. Appearing before the fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo, he pronounces the following oath: I call on the Witnesses of Christ the Lord, who will judge me, that I choose the one who, in my opinion before God, should be chosen. Then he puts the form on the tray so that everyone can see it, and from the tray he transfers it to a large container and returns to his place.
After all the cardinal electors have put their ballots in the ballot box, the ballot papers are recounted. If the number of ballots does not match the number of electors, all forms are burned, and they immediately proceed to a new vote. After everyone has voted, the three people in charge of counting the votes count the ballots, punch holes in them, and sew them together. After the count, the auditors carry out a complete control.
Changing the name became the rule, but still there were exceptions; for example, the native of Holland, Adrian VI, who was pope for only one year (1522–1523), was named Adriaan at birth. And the Italian Marcellus II was called Marcello from birth and died 22 days after being elected Pope in 1555.
After the newly elected Pope agrees to be the Supreme High Priest, the ballots are burned without wet straw to produce white smoke. If the elected pope is not a bishop, he is immediately ordained a bishop. Then he is taken to the sacristy of the Sistine Chapel, to the so-called "weeping room" (camera lacrimatoria), where 3 papal robes of 3 different sizes are prepared. Known in this regard is the story of the newly elected Pope John XXIII, who was quite overweight. In order to dress him in papal robes, the largest size robes had to be cut and fastened with large pins.
After dressing in papal robes, the newly elected returns to the Sistine Chapel and sits on the pulpit. The Cardinal Dean proclaims: "Elected to the pulpit of Peter" and reads a passage from the Gospel of Matthew 16:13-19, which speaks of Peter's primacy in the apostolic ministry.
After the Gospel reading and prayer for the new Pope, the cardinals approach the Supreme Pontiff in order to testify to him their respect and obedience. At the end, a hymn of thanksgiving to the Lord called Te Deum is played. This completes the work of the Conclave.
Cardinal Protodeacon (currently the Frenchman Jean-Louis Thoran) overlooks the central loggia of the Basilica of St. Peter, the so-called loggia of blessing, on which a carpet with the coat of arms of the previous pontiff is hung before, and announces: “We have a Pope!” (Habemus Papam!). The text of this traditional address to the flock is: “I tell you about the great joy: We have a dad! Most Reverend and Most Worthy Sir, Sir [name], Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church [surname], who took the name [throne name].”
Immediately after this address, the newly elected pope gives his first apostolic blessing to Urbi et Orbi, "the city and the world."
Until the election of Pope John Paul II, it was not customary for the new Pontiff to make his first speech addressing the people who had gathered in St. Peter's Square before his blessing. Already Pope John Paul I wanted to address the faithful, but the master of ceremonies stopped him, noting that such a speech was not provided for either by protocol or tradition.
The public announcement of the choice of the pope and his first blessing is followed, usually a few days later, by a solemn coronation in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Thus begins the process of assuming the office of the Pope.
In the following days, the Pope visits the patriarchal basilicas of St. Paul Outside the Walls and Santa Maria Maggiore, and the process ends with a solemn ceremony of taking possession of the Lateran Basilica, which is the cathedral church of the Mother See.
The 266th Pope has been elected in the Vatican. By decision of the conclave, he became the 76-year-old Argentine Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who took the name Francis.
(Total 28 photos)
1. Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, celebrates the Mass "Pro Eligendo Romano Pontefice" ("On the Choice of the Supreme Pontifex") at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on March 12. (Andrew Medichini/AP)
2. A nun prays outside St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on March 12. (Johannes Eisele / AFP-Getty Images)
3. Journalists cover the event in St. Peter's Square, March 12. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Firefighters install a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on March 9. (Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)
6. The stoves in the Sistine Chapel where ballot papers are burned after voting to notify the world of the election or non-election of the Pope. (L'Osservbatore Romano via Reuters)
7. Sistine Chapel, the site of the conclave. (L'Osservbatore Romano via AP)
9. People watch the broadcast of the mass "Pro Eligendo Romano Pontefice" ("On the choice of the Supreme Pontifex") in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, March 12. (Emilio Morenatti / AP)
10. St. Peter's Cathedral on the square of the same name in the Vatican, March 11. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
11. The cardinal prays during the mass "Pro Eligendo Romano Pontefice" ("On the choice of the Supreme Pontifex") in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, March 12. (Stefano Rellandini/Reuter)
12. Cardinals and faithful attend the mass "Pro Eligendo Romano Pontefice" ("On the choice of the Supreme Pontifex") in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, March 12. (L'Osservatore Romano via AP)
13. People watch what is happening in the Sistine Chapel before the start of the conclave in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, March 12. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
14. Cardinals gather for a conclave at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, March 12. (L'Osservatore Romano / AP)
15. Cardinals take an oath of silence in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican before the start of the conclave, which will elect the 266th Pope. (L'osservatore Romano / AP)
16. Black smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, March 12. Black smoke means that the cardinals have not yet elected a new pope. (Eric Gaillard/Reuters)
17. A nun looks through binoculars at a chimney in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on March 12. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
19. Black smoke from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel notifies the people that the new Pope has not been elected, March 13. (Dmitry Lovetsky / AP)
20. A bird sits on the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on the second day of voting, March 13. (Reuters)
21. People stand in the rain on St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, March 13. (Paul Hanna/Reuters)
22. People rejoice at the sight of white smoke from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, which notifies the people of the election of a new Pope, March 13. (Dmitry Lovetsky / AP)25. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has become the 266th Pope, waves to the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on March 13. (Osservatore Romano/EPA)
26. Newly elected Pope Francis waves to the people from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, March 13. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
27. A nun rejoices at the sight of white smoke from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, notifying the people of the election of a new Pope, in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, March 13. (Emilio Morenatti / AP)
28. Newly elected Pope Francis waves to the people from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, March 13. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
In different periods of the history of the Catholic Church, the process of electing a new pontiff was not the same. Today, the election of the head of the Roman Catholic Church is governed by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, adopted on February 22, 1996.
According to ecclesiastical law, the pontiff cannot choose his own successor. According to legend, the holy Apostle Peter chose 24 priests and deacons to help him in the management of the Roman Church. These advisers were charged with choosing the successor of Saint Peter. Church historians and canon lawyers believe that in the first centuries the procedure for choosing a new bishop of Rome was no different from the procedure for choosing other bishops - the clergy and faithful of the city chose the new pope.
The principle of electing a pontiff has always been respected in the Roman Church. Saint Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, said that the bishops of the Roman province, the clergy and the people took part in the election of Pope Cornelius (251-253). Already in those days, the newly elected bishop of Rome informed the bishop of Carthage about his election to the throne of Rome.
Starting from the 4th century, in accordance with the practice of electing bishops that developed after the Council of Nicaea (325), the election of the pope became the concern primarily of the clergy, who secured the consent of the people and the nobility. The candidate had to go through all the hierarchical levels and, as a rule, was an archdeacon - this title was more related to the administrative management of the Roman Church. Usually a new pope was elected three days after the death of the previous one (although this rule was accompanied by many exceptions). The newly elected pope had to ask the emperor for an order (iusio or praeceptio) about his consecration, and also pay a very impressive tax to the imperial office. In addition, he had to seek confirmation from the Exarch of Ravenna.
In 684, at the request of Benedict II (684-685), Emperor Constantine IV announced: there is no need to wait for the approval of the newly elected pontiff by the emperor, it is enough just to inform him. The end of the formal dependence of Rome was put by the iconoclastic heresy that struck Byzantium in the middle of the 8th century: Pope Zacharias (741-752) after his election did not send news to Constantinople.
The synod of Rome in 769 blocked the path to the papacy for all who did not hold the title of cardinal - presbyter or deacon - while all the clergy and especially important persons elected the pope. The participation of the laity in the elections was forbidden, but after his election, the pontiff must receive the recognition of the laity. This decree aroused the displeasure of influential laity, and Pope Nicholas I the Great (858-867) at a synod in Rome in 862 restored the electoral rights of the laity.
In 1059, Pope Nicholas II limited the circle of electors to cardinal bishops, who were joined by other cardinals who had holy orders. The rest of the clergy and the people were convened in order to approve the choice made.
The German emperors tried to arrogate to themselves the privilege of confirming the candidacy of the newly elected pontiff, referring to the agreement concluded by Pope Adrian I and Charlemagne. The rulers of the Holy Roman Empire repeatedly interfered in the election of popes.
The X Ecumenical Council in 1139 transferred the right to choose the pope exclusively to the jurisdiction of the cardinals, and the III Lateran Council of 1179, which took place during the pontificate of Alexander III (1159-1181), established the rule according to which the new pope becomes the one for whom at least two-thirds of votes of the cardinals present. The decree did not say what should be done if the majority of the votes could not be obtained.
A difficult situation arose after the death of Pope Clement IV (1265-1268), when the Holy See remained vacant for two years and nine months. To prevent this from happening again in the future, Pope Gregory X (1271-1276), by the constitution Ubi periculum majus (1274), promulgated at the II Council of Lyons, established the procedure for electing the pontiff, which has survived with minor changes to this day. According to the Ubi periculum majus constitution, the cardinals must, ten days after the death of the pontiff, assemble in the palace where he rested, or, if this is not possible (for example, the pope died while traveling), in the bishop's palace in the nearest city, where in complete isolation from influences the outside world were to elect a new pope. The hall in which the voting took place must be locked with a key.
Under the threat of excommunication from the Church, the cardinals could not transmit "to the world" either oral or written message. Food was served through the window. If the cardinals did not make a decision in three days, the daily ration was cut. After another five days, the electors had to make do with bread, water, and wine. If any of the cardinals refused to participate in the elections or for good reasons forced him to leave the conclave hall, the elections were held without him (this rule did not apply if the elector fell ill - in case of recovery, he could continue to participate in the conclave). The city authorities were obliged to monitor the implementation of these instructions.
Since the 13th century, the word "conclave" (from the Latin conclave - a locked room) has taken root in church use - a meeting of the College of Cardinals, at which a new Pope is chosen. During the conclave, the cardinal electors are literally closed from the outside world: according to tradition, the meeting takes place in the Sistine Chapel, the doors of which are locked.
The details of the conclave are carefully set out in the documents of Pope Gregory XV (1621-1623). Pope Pius IX in 1871 allowed the cardinals to decide by majority vote whether to keep the conclave closed. Pius IX in 1878 established a regulation to be observed during the sede vacante period, when the Apostolic See is vacant.
In the 20th century, the pontiffs also repeatedly specified the norms that must be observed during the sede vacante period. Pope Paul VI in 1975 introduced the age limit for electors (80 years), confirmed that elections should be held only in the Apostolic Palace of Rome, and limited the number of electors to 120 people.
Modern rules govern the start of the Conclave no earlier than 15 days to give all cardinals time to arrive in Rome, and no later than 20 days from the beginning of the sede vacante period. The Sistine Chapel, where the conclave is taking place, will be sealed and checked for hidden devices capable of espionage. Throughout the Conclave, Cardinals will be required to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae ("House of St. Martha"), a building in the Vatican located near St. Peter's Basilica.
The conclave begins with the Pro Eligendo Papa Mass, a special Mass during which the hierarchs will call on God's help in electing a new pope. After that, they will head to the Sistine Chapel, where they will take an oath not to reveal the secrets of the conclave and not to allow outsiders to interfere in the election process. Then voting will begin.
There is no formal list of candidates. The ballot paper is an ordinary sheet of paper printed with the phrase "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" ("I choose the supreme pontiff"). On the blank side of the ballot, the elector must write the name of the candidate for whom he is voting. The only requirement for cardinals filling out ballots is that they must enter the candidate's name in such a way that they cannot be identified by handwriting.
There are no restrictions on the choice of a candidate. The elector has the right to enter the name of any practicing Catholic known to him, even if he is not a priest. However, this is only in theory. The last non-cardinal elected to the holy throne was Pope Urban VI (1378).
Elections may end at any time when, after the votes have been counted, one of the candidates receives two-thirds of the electoral votes. If this does not happen, a second vote is held. If it fails, the ballots are collected and burned. Wet grass is added to the fire to turn the smoke from the ballots black. Two stoves are installed in the chapel - one for burning the ballots of the intermediate vote and the second for the ballots of the final.
If after 13 days a new pope is not elected, the cardinals may vote to limit the number of candidates to two - those who finished in the first two places in the last ballot. As soon as one of the cardinals gains two-thirds of the votes, the oldest of the College of Cardinals, the second in age, goes to the chosen one and says to him: “According to the procedure of the Code of Canon Law, you have been chosen as the new head of the throne of St. Peter. Do you accept the canonical choice of you as Supreme High Priest?” The elected cardinal answers, accepts the election (accepto), or does not accept (non accepto). If an elected cardinal pronounces the word accepto ("agree" in Italian), he becomes the new pope.
Then the ballot papers of the decisive vote are burned along with dry straw. The white color of smoke over the Sistine Chapel is a signal that the pope has been elected. Following this, the traditional phrase "Habemus papam" ("We have a pope") is pronounced from the balcony of the papal palace, the name of the new pontiff is announced, and the newly elected pontiff himself gives an apostolic blessing to the city and the world.
The current conclave to elect a new pope will open on March 12. For the first time, the conclave will not be dominated by the Italians, but will be counterbalanced by the Latin Americans, who represent a continent where nearly half of the world's Catholics live.
According to materials:
1. Encyclopedia "Round the World".
2. St. Cyprian of Carthage.
3. Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.
4. Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, D. P. Ogitsky. Western Christianity: A View from the East.
It is unlikely that you wondered why the Pope lives in the Vatican, why he wears this or that type of clothing for various events. We will tell you about everything that is currently known about this mysterious figure. We will also answer the question of how people choose in the Vatican. Smoke has a lot to do with it. But first things first.
It is the smallest independent state in the world. It bears such a pompous title as an auxiliary sovereign territory of the Holy See. It is located on the territory of the Italian capital, but is not surrounded by borders with strict customs officers. Anyone can visit the Vatican. You do not need to open a visa for this.
Square and St. Peter's Cathedral and a few streets - that's the whole territory of this small state. However, the Vatican has its own government, army, and Latin is used as the official language.
It is logical to assume that the cathedral is the largest building in the entire Vatican. It is located in the square of the same name. Raphael, Michelangelo and other world famous architects and artists worked on its creation. Drinking water does not flow from the fountains, so tourists can quench their thirst at any time without worrying about its quality.
If you believe the legends, then at the base of the cathedral is the tomb of St. Peter. He was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus. You can get inside the cultural monument both with an excursion and on your own. In the second case, the tour will be no less interesting, but less hectic. You can not only "run" through all the interesting places, but also sit quietly in a secluded corner of the cathedral of your choice, think about life, listen to a sermon (if you get here during its hours).
It is generally accepted that the first pope and bishop was the apostle Peter, whom we have already mentioned above. It was he who founded the first Christian school after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. But after a severe fire in Rome, the superstitious authorities accused the Christians of the fact that the "eternal city" burned down almost to the ground. Peter himself was crucified as the main culprit of what happened.
However, the Christian religion had already firmly entered the lives of people, therefore it was impossible to ignore the need for its further development. After all, religion was one of the pillars of ancient society. Bishops began to be endowed with administrative functions, as well as the privileges of secular feudal lords. All this eventually strengthened the power of the Catholic Church and the influence of the figure of its head. Do you know how the Pope is chosen in the Vatican? Now we will tell about it.
The Pope can leave his office either at his own request or because of his death. When this seat becomes vacant, a council of cardinals convenes, who have no right to discuss the course of elections outside the Sistine Chapel. The chapel itself is completely closed to the public during the elections.
A cardinal who is no older than 80 years old can nominate himself as a candidate for the post of Pope. The selection procedure itself is extremely calibrated and clear.
The team that chooses exactly knows its duties and adheres to all the rules. In the first stage of the election, each cardinal receives a ballot. Even those who are in the infirmary on the date of the vote receive their ballot paper. Further, all who have the right to vote remain in the Sistine Chapel all alone.
They must print the name of the chosen candidate on their ballot. Everything is arranged so that it is impossible to determine for whom this or that cardinal voted. If after voting the number of sheets in the ballot box does not match the number of voters, then all ballots are burned without prior reading. In order for one of the candidates to take the post of head of the Catholic Church, he must gain two-thirds plus one vote.
Talking about how the Pope is chosen, about the smoke that people around the world expect, we did not explain.
Everyone knows with what trepidation Catholics expect the appearance of smoke over the building in which the procedure for the election of the Pope takes place. You already know that if the ballot count fails, all ballots are burned. But this is not the only time they go to the fire. In any case, after the end of voting, each sheet is burned. Until they all turn to ashes, the conclave has no right to leave the walls of the Sistine Chapel, where the Pope is elected.
It is thanks to this tradition that a thick cloud of smoke appears above it. Centuries ago, after unsuccessful elections, ballot fires were made from wet straw. Of course, she fumed a lot. That's why the smoke was black. Today, dye is used for this purpose.
The robes of the Pope have changed more than once over the centuries. His outfit underwent the last major innovations during the reign. Many parts of the wardrobe are official. The Pope wears them only in extremely exceptional cases. It is almost impossible for an ordinary man in the street to see such items of clothing. If we talk about more casual outfits, then the Pope's costume consists of the following elements:
It is thanks to these elements of clothing that the image of the supreme bishop has become recognizable throughout the world. This is the only way he dresses after the moment when the collective that elects the Pope approves his candidacy. You can distinguish him from other ministers of the church thanks to a belt with a golden coat of arms. Only he has the right to wear such a symbol of authority outside the liturgies.
The tradition of changing the name for the period of the pontificate appeared in the VI century. After the election, the Pope announces under what name he will rule. If this name was used by one of his predecessors, then a serial number is added. The most commonly used names according to statistics are Leo, Gregory, Benedict and Innokenty. Each of them was used more than ten times in the history of the papacy.
A strict ban lies only on one name - Peter. The ministers of the Catholic Church do not risk taking the name of the apostle who founded their religion. There is also a prophecy that the Pope with the name Peter II will be the precursor of the end of the world.
The 266th Pope is currently in office. His name is Francis.
We examined which body has the right to choose the Pope.
There is a whole list that contains the names of the heads of Catholics who distinguished themselves in varying degrees from their predecessors and followers. Among them, we have selected the most famous.
As we can see, not all popes were righteous, despite their vows. If we take into account that almost three hundred people have already occupied this post, then the few people who had such disgusting habits make up only a very small part. Therefore, the Catholic Church is still a powerful and unshakable force.
We already know how the Pope is chosen. But what is the limit of this person's real power? As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, its power is unlimited and exceptional. Any statement of the Pope concerning religion and morality is considered an indisputable truth and cannot be subject to discussion.
How the Pope is chosen is of such great importance for the entire Catholic world. After all, the conclave among all the worthy gives preference to the person whose words will become the truth for millions of people on the planet.
The secular power of the Pope is reduced to the fact that he is the head of state of the Vatican.
One of the most powerful persons endowed with exclusive powers in modern sovereign international law is the Pope. The uniqueness of this position lies in its deep historical meaning and status. The person who holds this office is both the Supreme Catholic Pontiff and the Head of the Holy See, and also acts as the Sovereign of the Vatican City State. The position of the Supreme Roman Pontiff was established in the days of the Roman Empire and is considered today the most ancient political figure.
In different historical periods, the status of the head of the Catholic Church was ambiguous. In the first years of its existence, the papacy fully experienced all the delights of persecution and persecution to which the followers of the teachings of Christ were subjected. Many pontiffs from among the first popes were brutally tortured by the pagans, others were constantly under physical pressure from the ruling sovereigns of Europe at that time. However, despite all the difficulties, the papacy managed not only to survive all the hardships of the struggle of Christianity against paganism, but also contributed to the establishment of Christianity as the main religion on the European continent.
The Pope, he is also the Monarch and sovereign of the Holy See, the living and real head of the Catholic Church. The special status of the pope is determined by the church hierarchy. In fact, this is the successor of the Apostle Peter, the first bishop of Rome. The power of the pope and his sovereignty as head of the Holy See has no territorial limits. In addition to ecclesiastical authority, the supreme pontiff is the head of the Vatican city-state, in whose territory the Holy See is located.
The meaning of the papacy is clearly seen from the titles that the pope bears:
Most of the titles belonging to the Pope have a spiritual meaning, defining the meaning, place and role of the pope in the Christian world. With regard to powers of authority, the spiritual and legal authority of the supreme pontiff extends to the entire Catholic Church, to the administrative structure of the church community. In international law, the pope is an independent subject, his spiritual, legal power and sovereignty cannot be limited by secular power. The main duty of the pope is to observe the Christian faith, to promote its establishment and dissemination. The Pope is not only responsible for questions of spiritual morality and faith. The Supreme Pontiff exercises the administrative control of the Catholic Church.
From the point of view of Catholicism, the pope is a direct descendant of the apostle Peter, to whom Jesus in a special way entrusted the service of the Lord. The right to be a high priest is successive and is transferred to a clergyman who is worthy of this title. As a rule, the vicar of Christ on Earth is elected from among the highest spiritual persons who are members of the college of bishops (conclave). With the election, the pope acquires the fullness of the supreme ecclesiastical and administrative power, becoming the absolute monarch of the Holy See. Decisions and decrees of the Supreme Roman Pontiff have the status of law and are not subject to appeal. The competence of the Pope of Rome includes the right of legislative initiative within the framework of the Catholic Church, the right to interpret the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils, amend existing edicts and cancel previous decisions.
The pope determines ecclesiastical discipline by issuing canons, which are summarized in canonical reference books and codified. Performing administrative functions, the supreme Roman pontiff is engaged in conferring ecclesiastical rank, making appointments, and giving orders within the framework of the system of church government.
The meaning of the papacy is displayed in the coat of arms of the Vatican city-state. It depicts all the papal regalia, symbols and insignia.
The crossed keys symbolically display the keys of the Apostle Simon Peter. The silver key means the connection of the authority given by the Church with the right to authorize (the golden key) to rule in the name of the Lord. Tiara - triple crown - symbolizes the three main functions of the papacy:
The golden cross crowning the tiara signifies the dominion of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The tiara was placed on the head of the pontiff at the time of the papal coronation - a solemn ceremony reminiscent of its function inauguration of the head of state.
There is very little information about the first bishops who led the first Christian communities. The archives of the Vatican contain ancient manuscripts dating back to the 1st-2nd century, which mention spiritual persons who bear the title of high priests among Christians. The institution of the papacy itself appeared much later, at the end of the 4th - beginning of the 5th century. The papacy was formed within the Roman province, where the Roman episcopate was created. The privileged position of the Roman bishops was explained by the fact that it was in Rome, in the very center of the Roman Empire, that there were lands belonging to the Christian community. Subsequently, already bearing the title of popes, the Roman bishops expanded their possessions. In fact, already in the VI century, Rome becomes the main center of the apostolic power of the Catholic Church.
The final formalization of the papal throne as a sovereign ruler occurred in the 8th century, when the Frankish king Pepin the Short granted the Roman episcopate a Roman province. Rome with the adjacent territory becomes the Papal Region - a state administrative entity with universal status. Now the pope represented the highest ecclesiastical authority and at the same time was a sovereign secular ruler.
As for the official title, during the period of the approval of the Christian doctrine, all priests who had the right to bless were called pope. Later, during the period of the formation of the papacy as the spiritual center of Christianity, the title of pope applied to all bishops. After the division of the Christian Church into Roman and Constantinople, the procedure for conferring the papal rank also changed. With the establishment of Rome as the main episcopate, the papal rank was assigned only to Roman or Alexandrian bishops. In Constantinople there was an archpope - the main pontiff of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople.
Until 1059, the election of the pope in Rome was carried out by a joint assembly of secular and spiritual nobility. This practice was put to an end by the Lateran Council, at which it was decided to choose the pope by a meeting (conclave) of cardinals from among the first bishops of the Catholic Church. With the election, the pope publicly announces under what name he will lead the Catholic Church. If there were already persons with similar names in the history of the papacy, then a serial number is added to the chosen name. From that moment on, the pope has a throne name, which he wears throughout his pontificate.
The tradition of changing worldly names dates back to the early Middle Ages, when ancient Roman and ancient Greek names were in use, correlated with a pagan cult. The first pope to change his worldly name Mercury was John II, who occupied the Holy See in the 6th century. Officially, the procedure for changing the name has never been regulated by anyone, however, since the 11th century, this rite has become traditional in the ceremony of electing the pope. In the entire subsequent history of the papacy, only two Supreme High Priests did not change their names: Adrian VI, in the world Adrian Florence and Marcello Cervini, who became Pope Marcellus II.
The election of the Head of the Holy See did not always proceed smoothly and in accordance with the approved procedure. The papacy often became a hostage to the political situation in Europe. In the era of the early Middle Ages, the powerful monarchs of Europe quite often used the Catholic Church as a convenient tool for socio-political manipulation, making the secular power of the pope a hostage to a difficult military-political situation. This state of affairs is vividly illustrated by the period of the Middle Ages, when the papacy fought hard for the supremacy of spiritual power over secular rule. Despite significant progress in this direction, in contrast to spiritual authority, the sovereignty of the pope was constantly under threat.
Each of the political forces sought to subordinate the papal throne to its influence, introducing a split into the unity of the Catholic Church. The result of such a policy is the practice of electing an antipope. In the history of the papacy, there are many cases when spiritual power was divided among themselves by several persons at once, who bore the title of Supreme Roman Pontiff. The question of the election of the head of the Holy See could be decided in different places, with the participation of various secular persons and clergy. The right to legally bear the title of Supreme High Priest usually remained with the clergy whose adherents won a political victory. Despite the fact that in medieval Europe the existence of antipopes was a common practice, the official Vatican does not recognize their existence.
Only legitimate popes are listed in the official register, each of which has its own serial number.
The entire history of the papacy is closely connected not only with the process of the formation and establishment of Christianity, but also largely reflects the political events that in one way or another affected the international order. The existence of the institution of the papacy can be divided into the following periods, which reflect the political situation on the political map of the world at that time:
From the time of the formation and approval of the papacy as the Head of the Catholic Church until 1309, when the pope and his entire residence moved to Avignon (France), the Holy See was headed by 194 persons. The countdown comes from the Apostle Peter, who is supposedly the founder of the Holy See. In the period of the formation of the Christian faith, it was mainly the Romans who became the supreme pontiff. Eight of this number represented the Greek dioceses. Three popes were from African provinces. Twice the Holy See was headed by the French. Once each, the head of the Catholic Church was a Syrian, a German and an Englishman, Adrian IV, who transferred Ireland to the English crown.
In the pre-Nicene period, being a pope meant subjecting oneself to persecution and persecution by a pagan cult and authorities, so many high priests died a martyr's death. Relative security and stability came to the institution of the papacy with the accession of Emperor Constantine to the throne of the Roman Empire, who gave Christianity the status of the state religion.
The first title "pope" was used by Saint Siricius, reigned 384-399. The only decretals that have survived to this day are associated with the period of his reign. Of all the popes who became famous in history during this period, it is worth noting the High Priest Leo I (440-461), who personally managed to convince Attila not to invade Italy. Pope Gregory II, who occupied the Holy See in 715-731, actively fought against iconoclasm. In the Middle Ages, the sovereign monarchs of Europe often used force to assert their power. So it was with Pope John XII, who was expelled from Rome by the troops of the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I.
According to historians and theologians, the most significant place in the history of the papacy is occupied by Pope Urban II, who opened the era of the Crusades. It was his fiery speech at the Clermont Cathedral in 1095 about the need to liberate the Promised Land from Muslims that became the beginning of a massive military-political movement. In the era of the late Middle Ages, Pope Gregory IX distinguished himself by entrusting the Dominican Order to carry out the Inquisition. The Roman pontiff Gregory X (1271-76) by his decretal introduced a conclave - a council of cardinals involved in the election of the pope, the discussion of important spiritual and administrative issues.
The most controversial moment in the history of the papacy is the period from 1309 to 1377, called the Avignon Captivity. The growing influence of France in the European arena directly affected the institution of the papacy. As a result of the conflict between Pope Benedict XI and the King of France, Philip the Handsome, the French bishop Raymond Bertrand, who took the throne name Clement V, soon received the title of Supreme Lord of the Universal Church. On his initiative and under pressure from the King of France, the residence of the popes was moved to the French city of Avignon. Rome, considered the cradle of Christianity in Europe, lost the status of the Holy City for almost 70 years.
The role of Pope Clement V in the history of the papacy is ambiguous. It was with his submission that the persecution of the Order of the Templars began, culminating in the complete defeat and prohibition of the Order of the Templars in 1312. Only Pope Gregory XI was able in 1377 to return the papal throne back to the Holy City.
The next period of instability of the institution of the papacy was the Great Western Schism. For 39 years, several people claimed the papal throne at once. Each was supported by one or another political group, relying either on France or on local rich Italian houses. The popes took turns sitting either in the Vatican or in Avignon. The end of the confusion with the popes and the period of dual power was put by the Renaissance, which began with the advent of Martin V to the Holy See in 1417.
In 1517, the papacy experienced another crisis associated with the beginning of the Reformation in Europe. During this period, the religious movement of Martin Luther arose, which fought against the Latinization of Christian doctrine. Some of the high-ranking popes at this time made concessions, reforming the administration of the cult and making changes to the system of ceremonies. During this period, there is a significant weakening of papal power both in Italy itself and in the periphery, in the countries of Central and Northern Europe. However, the Reformation quickly ended with the beginning of the Counter-Reformation - a period when fierce persecution began against the followers of Luther's teachings. During this period, Europe plunged into the abyss of bloody religious wars. All over Europe, from France to the Carpathian Mountains, Catholics and Protestants destroyed each other. Times of unrest and ferment in religious beliefs ended with the transition of the papacy during the Enlightenment (1585-1689).
One of the significant events of this period is the calendar reform carried out by Pope Gregory XIII. The same Supreme Pontiff was the first to issue the Code of Canon Law.
The last period of instability in the history of the papacy was the era of revolutionary wars that engulfed the European continent. At this time, from 1775 to 1861, the Holy See was occupied by popes who had an extremely contradictory position in relation to the events taking place. If the Supreme Pontiff of Rome, Pope Pius VI, condemned the Great French Revolution, for which he was expelled from Rome by French troops, then his successor, Pope Pius VII, had already personally crowned Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of the French. Napoleon practically destroyed the sovereignty of the papacy by seizing the Papal States and turning the Holy See into its own episcopate.
The revolution that began in Italy led to the fact that in 1848 the Papal States were occupied by Austrian troops. In 1846 Pope Pius IX occupies the Holy See. His merits include the adoption of the dogma on the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, the submission for approval by the First Vatican Council of the dogma on the infallibility of papal decisions and canons. Pope Pius IX was the longest-serving head of the Catholic Church in the history of the pontificate, from 1846 to 1878. During the era of his reign, the Papal States finally loses its borders, joining, together with the Holy City, part of the new Italian state. Rome becomes the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. From that moment on, the secular power of the Roman pontiffs finally loses its status.
Only in 1929, after the Lateran Agreement, did the pope again become sovereign, regaining the status of Head of the Vatican City State. In the new, modern history of the papacy, there were eight Supreme Pontiffs, each of whom managed to leave a noticeable mark on Christian doctrine. Pope Paul VI in 1962 convened Vatican II Council, which considered the need to renew the Catholic Church in connection with the new realities of our time. The result of the council, which sat for 3 years, was a revision of the Code of Canon Law, which was significantly amended with regard to the reasons for excommunication and a number of other articles.
The new canonical code was approved and signed in 1983 by Pope John Paul II. This Supreme Pontiff, a Pole by origin, for 27 years remained the Head of the Catholic Church. His reign was due to the growing popularity of papal power in the world. Under John Paul II, the Catholic Church regained its status as a serious political force. The current Supreme High Priest of the Ecumenical Church Francis, of Argentine origin, became the first non-European pope. His election took place on 13 March 2013 after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, abdicated.
The residence of the current pope, like his predecessors, is the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. There is also an archive, the library of the Holy See, St. Peter's Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel, and other places of worship. The main administrative services of the Catholic Church and the institutions of the enclave state are also located here.
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