“Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam…” – “I announce to you joy and joy: We have a Pope…”

This phrase is traditionally used by the Cardinal Proto-Deacon when announcing the election of a new Pope after a conclave. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Cardinal Protodeacon is the most senior Cardinal Deacon (there are three ranks amongst cardinals: Cardinal bishop, Cardinal priest and Cardinal deacon) and has the important role of announcing the newly elected Pope after a conclave. The current Cardinal Proto Deacon is the French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti who is also the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (Supreme Court in the Catholic Church) since 2014.

Due to the large number of Cardinals and the diversity of their views, a long conclave is expected. Looking back on the election of Benedict XVI and Francis, I believe that it may take maximum eight rounds of voting (within three days) to elect the new Pope. The reason for this is the fact that many cardinals were recently appointed by Pope Francis and therefore do not yet know each other well. Many are newcomers to the world church stage. Therefore, the choice will fall on the few well-known cardinals. The selection will therefore not be exhaustive. The conclave begins on 7th May 2025 in the Sistine Chapel. If these lines reach you by Sunday, then we will certainly have elected a new Pope.

The previous record holder for the longest election is Pope Gregory X, who needed two years, nine months, and two days to be elected in the autumn of 1268. For Pope Francis, the 2013 election took just under 26 hours (five rounds), and the German Pope Benedict XVI was even faster in 2005 (four rounds). Both took significantly longer than Julius II, who was elected pope within a few hours in 1503 – still the fastest papal election in history.

What should the new Pope be like? Many opinions are currently circulating. Some of them are motivated by church politics. A review of the previous popes may perhaps provide some clues. John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council, which became a blessing for the Church. However, he himself could never have completed it without causing a split in the Church. Paul VI achieved this, even though he himself never convened it. The 33-day Pope, John Paul I, gave the Church a smile. John Paul II brought down the Iron Curtain. Then comes the great theologian, the greatest after Gregory the Great, Pope Benedict XVI. Finally, Pope Francis’s great talent to communicate not only in words but also in grand gestures is a contemporary form of evangelization, that is, of communicating the faith, because people respond very strongly to it.

But if I may express an opinion on this, then I would like to see a Pope who is a holy and wise shepherd, regardless of his geographical origin. He must be able to strengthen the trust of the faithful in God through his rock-solid faith, which comes from Christ Jesus. Furthermore, he must work for peace, the poor, and justice. Other qualities – he must be active, personable, a good organizer and administrator – are important, but Jesus asks of him a single quality: true love for Jesus and for humanity.

Perhaps I should simply pray that the new Pope will be endowed with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, fear of the Lord, and piety. I think that these will be quite enough for a good, wise, patient and good Pope for whom we pray. Don’t you think?

For your information: I will be leading a pilgrimage group of parishioners from May 9-31. Therefore, Fr Thomas will administer the parish during my absence.

Have a wonderful weekend Fr Joe