The New Pope Election - LIVE Streaming

Although many do not remember her name, everyone remembers the moment when Giovanna Chirri understood from Latin that Benedict XVI was resigning the papacy. It aroused interest that the then Ansa Vatican correspondent understood the implications of the words spoken by Joseph Ratzinger in Latin. These were his words, “Bene conscius ponderis huius actus, plena libertate declaro me ministerio Episcopi Romae, Successoris Sancti Petri renuntiare,” which in Italian means, “Fully aware of the gravity of this act, with full freedom, I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of St. Peter.”

The Holy See recognizes Latin as its official language and maintains a version of its website in this language. However, it is important to note that this is not classical Latin, but rather ecclesiastical Latin, which has evolved over the centuries under the influence of the Church. Moreover, the Church has gradually moved away from the use of Latin for liturgical purposes as the Mass has been celebrated in contemporary languages since the Second Vatican Council. As a result, Vatican rites and documents, including encyclicals and, in particular, the Conclave, continue to be written in Latin.

Here are the essential Latin words and phrases to familiarize yourself with to ensure that no detail is overlooked during the election of the new pope.

The term “Conclave” has a clearly Latin origin and is derived from cum clavem, meaning “with the key,” indicating a closed state. This term dates back to a significant historical event. Between 1268 and 1271, there was an absence of pope for a period of 1,006 days. To determine Clement IV's successor, the people of Viterbo, which served as the papal seat at the time, placed the cardinals safely inside the papal palace. In addition, the citizens removed its roof to expedite the election of the man who would later become Pope Gregory X. The first instance of a papal election taking place in a secluded and enclosed place, away from public view, dates back to 1118.

Holy Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff.

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the Holy Mass “for the Election of the Roman Pontiff” will be celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica, under the presidency of His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. The term "eligendo" serves as a gerund and, combined with the preposition "pro," means "for the purpose of."

The term "pontifex" comes from the Latin "pontĭfex -fĭcis" and, according to Treccani, is generally considered a compound of "pons pontis," meaning "bridge," and the verb "facĕre," meaning "to make." Initially, this term may have referred to the individual responsible for overseeing the construction of the bridge over the Tiber. In ancient Rome, the pontifex was a member of the legal-priestly college responsible for maintaining the city's religious and legal traditions, regulating public and private worship, and compiling lists of magistrates and calendars. The pontifex maximus was the head of this college of pontiffs. Within the Catholic Church, this title has been used since the fifth century to designate bishops and later evolved into an honorific title and the official designation of the pope in his capacity as bishop of Rome.

The designation "Roman" refers to the diocese of Rome, of which the pope is bishop.

Entry into Conclave and the oath for the election of the Roman Pontiff, as established by the Ordo Rituum Conclavis (nos. 29-44), will take place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

The Cardinal Electors must assemble in the Pauline Chapel, located in the First Loggia of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, by 4:15 p.m. Cardinals belonging to the Latin Rite will wear the red habit with the sash, rocchetto, mozzetta, pectoral cross attached to the red and gold cord, ring, zucchetto and biretta; Cardinals from the Eastern Churches, on the other hand, will wear their respective choral robes.

Starting from the Pauline Chapel, the Cardinal Electors will go in procession to the Sistine Chapel while the Litany of the Saints is sung. Upon their arrival, after the singing of the Veni Creator, they will take the required oath. The complete formula will be read by the most senior cardinal present in Conclave.

Nos omnes et singuli, qui in hac Electione Summi Pontificis versamur, Cardinales elettores, promittimus, vovemus et iuramus, inviolabiliter et ad unguem, fideliter et diligenter observaturos omnia quae in Constitutione Apostolica Summi Pontificis Ioannis Pauli II continentur, quae a verbis "Universi Dominici Gregis" incipit et datata est die xxii mensis Februarii anno MCMXCVI. Item, si Deus ita disponat, quicumque nostrum Romanus Pontifex eletto erit, eum munus Petrinum Pastoris Ecclesiae universae fideliter exsecuturum esse atque spiritualia et temporalia iura libertatemque Sanctae Sedis integre ac strenue difensore et tueri numquam destiturum. Praecipue autem promittimus et iuramus nos religiosissime secretum servaturos de omnibus, quae ad Electionem Romani Pontificis quomodolibet pertinent, et de iis, quae in loco Electionis aguntur, scrutinium directe vel indirecte respicientibus; neque idem secretum quovis modo violaturos, sive durante Electione novi Pontificis, sive etiam post, nisi expressa facultas a novo Pontifice tributa sit. Item nulli consensui, dissensioni, aut alii cuiuscumque intercessioni, quibus auctoritates saeculares cuiuslibet ordinis et gradus, vel quivis coetus hominum vel persona singula voluerint sese Pontificis Electioni interponere, auxilium vel favorem praestaturos.

We, each and every one of the Cardinal electors present at this election of the Supreme Pontiff, solemnly promise, pledge and swear to adhere diligently and faithfully to all the provisions outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, issued by the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II on February 22, 1996. Furthermore, we vow to ensure that whichever of us, by divine providence, is elected Supreme Pontiff will faithfully carry out the Petrine ministry as Pastor of the universal Church, ensuring the affirmation and vigorous defense of both spiritual and temporal rights, as well as the autonomy of the Holy See. Above all, we vow and swear to maintain the utmost fidelity and confidentiality with regard to all matters relating to the election of the Roman Pontiff, as well as to events occurring at the venue of the election that directly or indirectly affect the voting process; we will not violate this confidentiality in any way during or after the election of the new Pontiff, unless explicit permission has been granted by the new Pontiff himself. We also pledge never to provide support for or facilitate any interference, opposition or other forms of intervention by secular authorities of any rank or any group or individual that seeks to influence the election of the Roman Pontiff.

Next, each cardinal approaches the Gospel Book to pronounce the concluding part of the oath: “Et ego N. Cardinalis N. spondeo, voveo ac iuro,” which in Italian translates as “I, too, N. Cardinalis N., promise, pledge and swear.” Then, placing his hand on the Gospel, he proclaims, Sic me Deus adiuvet et haec Sancta Dei Evangelia, quae manu mea tango, which in Italian means, “God help me and these Holy Gospels that I touch with my hand.”

Everyone else, please go away.

In Latin, the phrase translates to “everybody out” and is uttered when the doors of the Sistine Chapel are closed, signaling the exit of all individuals not authorized to attend. Only the cardinal electors remain.

Each cardinal is given a ballot on which is engraved the motto “Eligo in Summum Pontificem,” which in Italian means “I choose, I elect as Supreme Pontiff.” Under this inscription, each cardinal notes the name of his chosen candidate.

The ballot is then deposited in the ballot box located in front of the tellers. Each cardinal pronounces the following formula: Testor Christum Dominum, qui me iudicaturus est, me eum eligere, quem secundum Deum iudico eligi debere. In Italian, the formula translates as follows: “I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be called to judge me, and I swear that my vote is given to the one whom, according to God, I believe should be elected.”

The election process involves a candidate receiving the necessary votes, after which he or she is asked the question, “Accepto the election of you canonically made in Supreme Pontiff?” This question translates into: “Do you accept the election as Supreme Pontiff?” The Latin wording includes the enclitic -ne, indicating that the answer is expected. The positive answer is “Accepto.” In recent centuries, there have been no cases of refusal to accept this election.

The next step involves the request for the chosen name. Quo nomine vis vocari? In Italian, it is translated as “By what name do you wish to be called?”

The Declaration

The most famous phrase is the concluding one, which originates from the announcement made on the loggia of St. Peter's to indicate the election.

Annuntio vobis magnum gaudium: habemus Papam! Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord Cardinal,
Lord of the Holy Roman Church, who has assumed the name...

"I present to you uplifting news that fills us with immense joy: we have a Pope (indicating that he has been elected)! The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord, Sir..., Cardinal of Holy Roman Church..., who has chosen the name of...

At first, the suspension dots were replaced by the proper name of the elected, in the Latin accusative, Karolum for Wojtyla, followed by the surname in the original language, Bergoglio for Pope Francis, and concluding with the chosen name, Benedict XVI for Ratzinger.

Urbi et Orbi

At this point, the pope delivers a brief address and imparts a solemn blessing to the city of Rome (Urbi) and the world (Orbi). This marks the conclusion of what is called Vacantis Apostolicae Sedis, a period that began with the demise of the previous pontiff.