Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

The Next Pope Column for the weeks of April 16-30, 2005

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Although the death of Pope John Paul II left the world a sadder place, it did not come unexpectedly.  After all, he was 84 years old and suffered from Parkinson’s disease among other things.  Some considered him the most influential religious figure in the 20^th Century (move over Billy Graham).  In his life, he traveled to 129 countries, survived an assassination attempt, forgave his attacker, opposed communism, tried to bridge the gap between Catholicism and non-Catholic Christians, plus apologized for the church’s apathy toward slavery and the Holocaust. 

In his death, he even managed to get some people to come to church, for the time being anyway.  Millions waited for up 15 hours in a line stretching a couple of miles at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to view his body.  Leaders from over 70 countries attended the funeral including President and Mrs. Bush and former President Clinton.  (There was some snafu, so former President Carter didn’t get the invite to go with Bush and Clinton.  It’s a little hazy where the mix up occurred.  The Carter staff was not amused.)

The next pope will face the same challenges Pope John Paul II faced:  priests marrying, birth control, in vitro fertilization, pre-marital sex, stem cell research, and Aids.  These are all issues he would not budge on.  Plus, like all Christianity today, Catholic pews are empty and churches are closing, at least in the U.S.  That is not the case in Third World countries.  Catholic Church attendance in Africa is up 137 percent.  But then so is Aids. In all fairness, all Christianity is up in foreign countries.  So much so, that some countries are sending Christian missionaries to the U.S.   

Just who the next pope will be remains a mystery but the procedure is not.  Soon, all cardinals who are under 80 and well enough to attend, can be a part of this historic election.  These “college of cardinals” (not to be confused with the U.S. Electoral College) number around 115 and represent 54 countries. During the day they’ll be in a conclave, locked in the Sistine Chapel. During the evening they’ll be housed in St. Martha's House (Domus Sanctae Marthae), a hospice inside the Vatican, sequestered from the outside world.  Pope John Paul II had this multimillion dollar facility built so cardinals wouldn’t have to sleep on cots near the Sistine Chapel during these elections, like they did when he was elected. 

On most days two ballots will be taken in the morning, two in the afternoon.  Nine cardinals will be chosen at random.  Three collect the votes of those who remain in their quarters at St. Martha’s or are too sick to attend on a given day, three called “scrutineers” or “tellers” tally the votes, and three “revisers” scrutinize the scrutineers to double check results.    It takes a two-thirds-plus-one majority to elect a pope.  If a pope is not elected, the ballots, which are treated with a chemical to produce black smoke, will be burned in a special oven in the Sistine Chapel.  The smoke emerging from the Vatican Palace notifies all of the results.  Black smoke means, no pope elected.  White smoke means, we have a new pope!    

The cardinals will spend their time voting, eating, resting, praying, meditating (easy to do while gazing on Michelangelo’s masterpieces), conversing, addressing the conclave, etc. It is a solemn occasion.  If a new pope is not elected after 12 to 13 days, the cardinals may select a pope by a simple majority.  This is a new rule instituted by Pope John Paul II.   The new pope will be a pontificate and will remain in office for the duration of his life or until he chooses to retire.

This process has developed through the years.  The first popes were chosen by Roman clergyman, emperors, kings, and anyone else interested in influencing the outcome.  Sometimes people were so unhappy with a pope they would appoint someone else, called the antipope.  In 1059 Pope Nicholas II determined a pope would be elected by cardinals and in 1179 Pope Alexander III said all these cardinals would have an equal vote. 

The first conclave took place in 1241.  Hoping for a quick papal election, cardinals were locked in a small, dirty room.   I don’t know what their idea of quick was but it took 2 months and one death before a new pope was chosen.  But I guess it was quicker than the almost 3 years it took in 1268 which led to Gregory X instituting a few rules.  All cardinals were to be sworn to secrecy, sleep in one room, and receive food through a turnstile.  After 5 days if a new pope wasn’t elected, food would consist of only bread and water…and of course, some wine.  Wine is a necessity.  We are talking Italy, here.

Popes have not been without controversy in the past. And why not?  The pope was more than just a religious figure.  He was a monarch who ruled central Italy.  A few juicy tidbits of gossip include Pope Sergius III seizing the papacy by force and having Pope Leo V killed.  Then Pope Sergius had a son (with a teen age girl), a libertine who became Pope John XII and eventually died in bed with a married woman.  Alexander VI became pope through bribery. His illegitimate son was appointed a cardinal at age 18.  Pope Stephen VI hated his dead predecessor so much he had the body dug up, cut off the two fingers that bestowed papal blessings, and threw his body in the river.  It’s enough to make Pope John Paul II roll over in his grave (or hide, anyway)!  Fortunately such shenanigans are a thing of the past.

So who will the next pope be?  Will it be the favorite in the running, Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, Angelo Scola of Venice, Godfried Canneels of Brussels, Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan, Joege Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, Francis Arinze of Nigeria or Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa?  I hate to show my ignorance but where exactly is Tegucigalpa?

The cardinals must choose wisely for the next pope will address issues facing a changing society and the Catholic Church.  Cardinals are not past subtle lobbying to have a winner who shares their personal views.  Does the majority want someone who will staunchly adhere to former teachings as Pope John Paul II or someone who will break new ground? 

It’s all very exciting….living through historic moments and all.  But to be honest, I really don’t care who wins as long as it’s quick.  I’m not even Catholic.  However, I am scheduled for a trip to Rome next month and I’d hate to get arrested sneaking into the Sistine Chapel to view Michelangelo’s artwork.

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.