Who can vote?

Beginning tomorrow morning, the Cardinals assembled in Rome will begin to review the directives contained in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, issued by His Holiness John Paul II on February 22, 1996 and the modificatons thereto published last week in the Apostolic Letter issued Motu Proprio by His Holiness, Benedict XVI on February 22 of this year, in which certain modifications to the norms governing the election of the Roman Pontiff were outlined.

In keeping with a venerable and long-standing tradtion of the Church, whereas Bishops of other dioceses throughout the world are appointed by the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome is chosen by election and the Cardinals are the ones who have the privilege of casting votes for this election.  Universi Dominici Gregis explains the rationale for this:

The College of electors of the Supreme Pontiff is composed solely of the Cardinals of Holy Roman Church. In them one finds expressed in a remarkable synthesis the two aspects which characterize the figure and office of the Roman Pontiff: Roman, because identified with the Bishop of the Church in Rome and thus closely linked to the clergy of this City, represented by the Cardinals of the presbyteral and diaconal titles of Rome, and to the Cardinal Bishops of the suburbicarian Sees; Pontiff of the universal Church, because called to represent visibly the unseen Pastor who leads his whole flock to the pastures of eternal life. The universality of the Church is clearly expressed in the very composition of the College of Cardinals, whose members come from every continent.

In total, there are 207 Cardinals living, and 117 of them (all those who are under the age of 80 years as of the date of the Vacancy of the See of Rome - in this case, February 28, 2013 at 8:00pm local in Rome) are eligible to enter the Conclave and to cast votes for the election of the next Roman Pontiff.  Of these 117, two have already declared their inability to participate:

• His Eminence, Julius Rivadi Darmaatmadja, Archbishop emeritus of Jakarta, Indonesia; Aged 78 years; and

• His Eminence, Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien, Archbishop emeritus of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland; Aged 75 years.

That leaves 115 Cardinals who will enter the Sistine Chapel when the Conclave begins.  The date and time for that procession will be determined by the Cardinals when they meet, beginning tomorrow morning for the first of the General Congregations (or meetings of Cardinals specifically for the review of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis and the subsequent Apostolic Letter mentioned above, and for the purpose of deciding on certain details about this Conclave such as the date and time when the Conclave will begin.

All 207 Cardinals are welcome to attend the General Congregations held in the Synod of Bishops' chamber in the Paul VI Hall.  In this way, even though those who have already reached the age of 80 years can still share their wisdom with their brothers, even though they will not be called upon to cast a vote in the Conclave. The reason for this provision is the desire not to add to the weight of such venerable age the further burden of responsibility for choosing the one who will have to lead Christ's flock in ways adapted to the needs of the times.  Furthermore, especially during the election of the Supreme Pontiff, (Cardinals over the age of 80 years) in particular should lead the People of God assembled in the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome and in other churches in the Dioceses throughout the world, supporting the work of the electors with fervent prayers and supplications to the Holy Spirit and imploring for them the light needed to make their choice before God alone and with concern only for the "salvation of souls, which in the Church must always be the supreme law".

Domus Santa Marta, Vatican City

For the whole duration of the election the living-quarters of the Cardinal electors and of those called to assist in the orderly process of the election itself are to be located in suitable places within Vatican City State.  During the Pontificate of His Holiness, John Paul II, the Domus Santa Marta was constructed within the walls of the Vatican, and this is the place where all the Cardinals will reside during the period of the Conclave.  While it is occupied by other Vatican staff at other times, these have all been moved to other locations in order to make provision for the accommodation of the Cardinals who are arriving in Rome in these days.  All others involved in the Conclave will likewise be sealed off from the outside world.  As such, no communication devices of any sort will be allowed within the restricted area once the Conclave begins.

The election of the Roman Pontiff takes place within the walls of the Sistine Chapel which is large enough to accommodate the Cardinal electors and which has at its disposition all that is necessary for the daily celebration of the Mass, as well as a prayerful environment within which the Cardinals may conduct the voting process.  In former times, there were three accepted methods for the election of the Roman Pontiff: either by acclamation quasi ex inspiratione or by compromise (per compromissum), or by secret ballot.  The norms of Universi Dominici Gregis did away with the first two forms, and left only the third as a valid method of election.  This ruling was upheld in the Motu Proprio issued on February 22 of this year by His Holiness, Benedict XVI and thus will remain as the only acceptable method of voting within the Conclave.  Election by secret ballot offers the greatest guarantee of clarity, straightforwardness, simplicity, openness and, above all, an effective and fruitful participation on the part of the Cardinals who, individually and as a group, are called to make up the assembly which elects the Successor of Peter.