Politics
Cardinals Begin Conclave With an Oath – Inside the Conclave Oath Tradition
Conclave Oath
Inside the Sistine Chapel, cardinals are taking an oath based on the instructions set forth by Pope John Paul II in a 1996 document outlining the rules for papal conclaves.
The senior-most cardinal recites the oath in Latin, with all 133 cardinals joining in, pledging to adhere to the established procedures. They also swear that whoever is elected pope will faithfully carry out the mission of St. Peter, the first pope, and will vigorously defend the spiritual and temporal rights and the independence of the Holy See.
They vow to keep the entire process — including the voting — strictly confidential unless the newly elected pope permits disclosure. All notes taken during the conclave must be burned along with the ballots, which may be incinerated up to twice daily.
Despite these rules, some information about the secret deliberations has emerged in the past. Vatican journalists, known as Vaticanisti, have occasionally pieced together accounts of how decisions were reached. In some instances, anonymous cardinals have later published “secret diaries,” such as one detailing the 2005 election of Benedict XVI.
The cardinals also commit to resisting outside influences.
Each cardinal individually takes the oath in Latin, placing a hand on the Bible and declaring, “And I,” followed by his name, “do so promise, pledge and swear. So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand.”
After the last cardinal swears the oath, Diego Ravelli, the master of papal liturgical celebrations, announces “extra omnes,” Latin for “everyone out.” He is among the few allowed to remain in the chapel during the conclave, though not while votes are being counted.
Elisabetta Povoledo, a Times reporter based in Rome, covers Italy, the Vatican, and regional culture. She has been a journalist for 35 years.