2013 papal conclave

2013 papal conclave
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Name	2013 Papal Conclave
Date	12–13 March 2013
Location	Sistine Chapel, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City
Elected	Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis)
Previous	2005 papal conclave
Next	2014–2015 papal conclave

2013 papal conclave was the gathering of the College of Cardinals in March 2013 to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI following his resignation. The conclave took place in the Sistine Chapel within the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City and resulted in the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, who took the name Pope Francis. The event attracted global attention from institutions such as the United Nations, governments including the United States, the European Union, and media organizations like the BBC and CNN.

Background

The convocation followed the unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, an act that invoked canons of the Code of Canon Law and echoed earlier resignation by Pope Celestine V. The resignation prompted procedures codified by Universi Dominici Gregis and oversight by the Cardinal Dean Angelo Sodano and the Camerlengo Tarcisio Bertone. Preparations involved the Roman Curia, the College of Cardinals, and officials from the Holy See coordinating logistics with the Swiss Guard and security liaison from the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City State. The global Catholic hierarchy, including the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States, the Italian Episcopal Conference, and the Latin American Episcopal Conference closely monitored developments.

Electors and Papabili

The conclave's electorate comprised cardinals under eighty, including prominent figures such as Angelo Scola of Milan, Marc Ouellet of Quebec, Pietro Parolin of Vatican Secretariat of State, Giovanni Battista Re of Prefecture of the Papal Household, Seán Brady of Armagh, Raymond Burke of Saint Louis, and Timothy Dolan of New York. Cardinals from across continents represented institutions like the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Congregation for Bishops, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and the Secretariat of State. Media and pundits identified several papabili, most notably Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Angelo Scola, Marc Ouellet, Odilo Scherer of São Paulo, and Peter Turkson of Ghana. Observers from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank speculated on implications for Vatican finances overseen by the Institute for the Works of Religion.

Conclave Proceedings

Following a period of mourning and General Congregation meetings at the St. Peter's Basilica, the conclave began with the entrance into the Sistine Chapel under the supervision of the Major Penitentiary and oath administered by the Cardinal Dean; cardinals took the oath of secrecy and were accommodated in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Security and ceremonial protocols engaged officials from the Pontifical Swiss Guard and the Apostolic Camera. Technological concerns featured prominently as the Vatican implemented measures to prevent leaks following controversies involving leaked documents such as the Vatileaks scandal. The conclave followed instructions from Pope Paul VI's reforms and the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis promulgated by John Paul II.

Balloting and Election

Balloting began with multiple secret ballots conducted over two days, using the established procedures of writing names on paper ballots, the use of the stoles and placement into a chalice, and the burning of ballots to produce the traditional smoke signals. Black smoke initially indicated no decision; white smoke on 13 March signaled a successful election after the required two-thirds plus one majority was achieved. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerged as the elected pontiff after successive scrutinies; his election reflected alliances among cardinals from the Council of the Latin American Bishops, European episcopates, and reform-minded prelates concerned with pastoral outreach, ecclesial simplicity, and financial transparency.

Announcement and Habemus Papam

Shortly after the white smoke, the senior Cardinal Deacon Jean-Louis Tauran appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and delivered the traditional proclamation "Habemus papam" to a crowd assembled in St. Peter's Square and broadcast by agencies such as Reuters and Associated Press. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio accepted the election and chose the papal name Pope Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. His first apostolic gestures included a brief address from the loggia and subsequent private moments in the Pauline Chapel. The announcement had immediate diplomatic ripples involving state representatives from countries such as Argentina, Italy, Spain, and the United States of America.

Aftermath and Reactions

Global reactions ranged from jubilation among Catholics in Latin America, pastoral communities in Africa, and diocesan offices across Europe to commentary from religious leaders including the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the World Council of Churches, and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. Financial analysts in institutions such as the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund monitored implications for the Vatican Bank and fiscal reforms proposed under Pope Francis. Domestic politics in nations including Argentina, United States, Italy, and Brazil intersected with ecclesial responses from bodies like the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. The election set the stage for subsequent initiatives such as the 2014 Synod of Bishops, reforms in the Roman Curia, and outreach efforts to migrants, the poor, and vulnerable populations championed by Pope Francis.

Category:Conclaves Category:2013 in Vatican City