Staff members assigned to the next Conclave in the Vatican They lent Secret oath in the Paulina Chapel This Monday. The penalty for those who break it is excommunication automatic in context of the norms that govern the choice of the successor of the Pope Francis.
Nails 100 people –Among them cleaners, chefs and clergymen who will act as confessors in various languages- committed to save absolute confidentiality about any detail related to the voting process.
Vatican: Penalty of excommunication for those who break the secret
The obligation extends beyond the conclave and can only be lifted by the future pontiff. The regulations also prohibit the use of recording, audio or video devicesthroughout the electoral period within the Vatican walls.
The conclave will begin on Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel, with the planned participation of 133 Cardinalsof which 108 were appointed by Francisco. In parallel, dozens of lay and religious will be in charge of host, feed and serve the voters.
The latter remain isolated from abroad until a white smoking announced to the new Pope; They will reside in Vatican and can move on foot or on a bus inside the sealing perimeter.
Holy See Matteo Bruni spokesman said The cardinals would only leave their mobile phones in their residence in Santa Marta And he clarified that they will be delivered at the beginning of the conclave and returned only at the end.
To guarantee the insulation, the Vatican will install signal inhibitors around the Sistine Chapel and residencesunder surveillance of the Vatican Gendarmerie.
What is the oath of secret
The content of the secret oath is regulated by regulation dating from 1996, established by San Juan Pablo II in the document Universi Dominici Gregiswhich governs the Pope’s choice procedures.
And with the possibility of sanctions, Pope Benedict XVI reinforced this provision with two amendments; This explains that every person who reveals information from the conclave incurs automatic excommunication, reserved exclusively to the Apostolic Headquarters.
The current oath formula forces those who lend it to observe a “absolute and perpetual secrecy”Especially regarding the vote.
In addition, they are required to recognize that any infraction implies the most severe penalty of canon law. Participants seal the commitment playing Holy Gospels.
The Vatican does not provide official estimates on the duration of the conclave, since the process is not subject to pre -established deadlines and depends on the consensus achieved by cardinals voters. The duration will be known Only when the white smoke rises From the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
Source: Ambito
