THE CONCHO PADRE POST

At a February 22 briefing for reporters, Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, explained the canonical implications of Pope Benedict’s resignation, and the governance of the Holy See during the days before a new Pontiff is elected.

When Pope Benedict’s resignation takes effect, Father Lombardi said, the Holy See will be vacant. During this sede vacante period, he said, the ruling principle of canon law is “sede vacante nihil innovetur–There is to be no innovation during a vacancy.”

The day-to-day administration of the Vatican during the interregnum is done by the College of Cardinals, acting collectively. The cardinals will begin meeting in daily “congregations” on March 1, the day after the Pope’s resignations. Among their first decisions, the cardinals will set a date for the conclave that will elect the next Pope. The procedures for a conclave are set forth in the apostolic constitution Universit Dominici Gregis, issued by Pope John Paul II and amended in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. The procedures require a 15-day waiting period between the time when the Holy See becomes vacant and the beginning of the conclave. However, Father Lombardi reminded reporters that Pope Benedict might issue a motu proprio amending the procedures and allowing for an earlier conclave.

Once the conclave begins, a two-thirds majority is required to elect the new Pontiff. If the voting remains inconclusive after 33 ballots, the cardinals’ choice will be limited to the two top vote-getters in the last round of voting.

Vatican Information Service

Gospel Mt 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

The Roman Lectionary

Vatican City, 21 February 2013 (VIS) – This morning Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, presented information related to the Holy Father’s calendar and clarified some issues that have been raised in the past few days.

At 9:00am on Saturday, 23 February, the Holy Father and the Roman Curia will conclude their spiritual exercises. Traditionally, the Pope addresses those present briefly.

That same day, at 11:30am, he will meet with the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano.

On Sunday, 24 February, Benedict XVI will pray the last Angelus of his pontificate with the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

On Wednesday, 27 February, Benedict XVI’s final general audience will take place in St. Peter’s Square in the usual fashion, except for his re-entry to the Apostolic Palace, the path of which will wind around the square in the popemobile so that he may greet the many participants who are expected (to date, over 30,000 people have requested tickets).

On 28 February, as announced in a notice from the Papal Household, he will personally greet all the cardinals present in Rome, that is, both those who are resident here and those who have come to the capitol in recent days. There will be no speech.

Regarding his departure from the Vatican, shortly before 5:00pm, the Pope will greet Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., in the San Damaso Courtyard and, upon reaching the Vatican heliport, will bid farewell to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals. On arrival at Castel Gandolfo he will be received by the president and secretary of the Governorate of Vatican City, the mayor of the town, and other civil authorities and will appear at the balcony of the Apostolic Palace to greet the faithful present.

On a different topic, the director of the Holy See Press Office has stated that the date of the conclave is established by the congregation of cardinals during the Sede vacante, independently of a possible Motu Proprio from the Holy Father that could specify some details of the Apostolic Constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis”.

Vatican Information Service

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that no tempests may disturb us,
for you have set us fast on the rock
of the Apostle Peter’s confession of faith.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

The Roman Missal

Bestow on us,
we pray, O Lord,
a spirit of always pondering on what is right
and of hastening to carry it out,
and since without you we cannot exist,
may we be enabled to live according to your will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

The Roman Missal