Two rows of long tables draped in red velvet ran the length of the chapel on both sides, from the chancel screen to the altar. The rows closest to the tapestry-lined walls stood one step up on low risers, permitting those seated there an unobstructed view of the proceedings. The cardinal electors moved to the seats assigned them by lot. Behind the chancel screen, those supporting the conclave stood as witnesses to the swearing-in of the electors. Donoher and Scheuermann, by virtue of their duties in the conclave, were assigned seats close to the altar. When all were in place, Donoher approached the altar and bowed his head in prayer, then moved to the lectern.
‘My Most Eminent Lord Cardinals, in accordance with Universi Dominici Gregis, we must now take our oath. Cardinal Scheuermann.’
The cardinal dean, too, offered a brief prayer at the altar before approaching the lectern. He opened a leather-bound folio and began to read.
We, the cardinal electors present in this election of the supreme pontiff promise, pledge, and swear, as individuals and as a group, to observe faithfully and scrupulously the prescriptions contained in the Apostolic Constitution of the Supreme Pontiff Pope Leo XIV, Universi Dominici Gregis. We likewise promise, pledge, and swear that whichever of us by divine disposition is elected Roman pontiff will commit himself faithfully to carrying out the munus Petrinum of pastor of the universal Church and will not fail to affirm and defend strenuously the spiritual and temporal rights and liberty of the Holy See. In a particular way, we promise and swear to observe with the greatest fidelity and with all persons, clerical and lay, secrecy regarding everything that in any way relates to the election of the Roman pontiff and regarding what occurs in the place of the election, directly or indirectly related to the results of voting; we promise and swear not to break this secret in any way, either during or after the election of the new pontiff, unless explicit authorization is granted by the same pontiff; and never to lend support or favor to any interference, opposition, or any other form of intervention, whereby secular authorities of whatever order or degree or any group of people or individuals might wish to intervene in the election of the Roman pontiff.
Donoher walked up to the table and, facing his brother cardinals, declared, ‘And I, Malachy Cardinal Donoher, do so promise, pledge, and swear.’ Placing his right hand on the Gospels, he continued. ‘So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand.’
Each of the cardinals made the same declaration, a promise that bound them together in the secrecy of the conclave. After the last elector swore the oath and returned to his seat, the master of papal liturgical celebrations walked to the center of the chapel.
‘Extra omnes,’ he announced, ordering those not taking part in the conclave to leave the chapel.
The audience for the swearing-in departed, leaving only the cardinals, the master of papal liturgical celebrations, and the ecclesiastic chosen to give the second meditation. Donoher and the assistant cardinals had chosen well, as the man delivered a moving sermon that clearly distilled the duty facing the electors and the need to act with the good of the universal Church foremost in their minds.
After this meditation, the ecclesiastic and the master of papal liturgical celebrations departed, and the doors to the chapel were sealed. Only the cardinal electors and a few people needed to assist with the balloting remained inside. The conclave had begun.
Scheuermann once again stood before the assembly. ‘May the election commence, or do any doubts still remain regarding the norms and procedures as laid down in the Apostolic Constitution?’
Scheuermann’s question was offered as an opportunity to clarify the rules for the election as prescribed by Pope Leo XIV. Upon their arrival in Rome, each of the cardinals was provided a copy of the Apostolic Constitution, in both Latin and his native tongue, and encouraged to familiarize himself thoroughly with the document. For most, the election would be a once-in-a-lifetime event, and the intent of Scheuermann’s question, itself an element of the Apostolic Constitution, was to ensure that each elector understood how the election was to be conducted.
There was a little murmuring among the cardinals, but only one rose to address an issue. It was Donoher.
‘I recognize the Most Reverend Cardinal Donoher,’ Scheuermann said with a little surprise. Of all people, the Camerlengo should have been an authority on the election procedures.
‘My Most Eminent Lord Cardinals,’ Donoher began, ‘the matter I wish to bring before you is in regard to an amendment to the Apostolic Constitution.’
A cacophony of voices echoed inside the chapel. Cardinals rustled through their papers searching for an amendment that each thought he must have overlooked.
‘My Lord Cardinals,’ Scheuermann’s stern voice cut through the din.
The noise quieted, but the confusion among the electors remained.
‘My Lord Cardinal Donoher,’ Scheuermann said, ‘article fifty-four of the Apostolic Constitution, which addresses this very point in our proceeding, does not permit modification of the norms and procedures for the election.’
‘That is true, but I am not proposing an amendment, merely announcing the existence of one. I apologize that the amendment was not included in the packets provided to you all, but I learned of it only moments before the start of this session.’
Donoher walked down the row of cardinals seated beneath Botticelli’s fresco Scenes from the Life of Moses, and stopped in front of Cardinal Cain, the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State. Cain did not seem surprised, even when Donoher handed him a handwritten document.
‘My Most Esteemed Cardinal, do you recognize this document?’ Donoher asked.
‘I do,’ Cain replied, his booming voice clearly heard by all of the electors. ‘It was drafted and signed in the presence of Archbishop Sikora and myself by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, one week before his passing.’
‘And are the signature and seal those of Pope Leo XIV?’
‘They are, and both were made in my presence.’
‘And is this your signature notarizing the document?’
‘It is.’
‘And it was the expressed wish of the late pontiff that this document not be made known until after the conclave to elect his successor had begun.’
‘As expressed to me by His Holiness.’
‘Thank you, my Lord Cardinal.’ Donoher returned to the front of the chapel before continuing. ‘The amendment drafted by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, in his own hand, and dated in the week prior to his death, reads as follows.’ Donoher looked down at his papers.
I exclude from the provisions of article sixty-one, the introduction into the place of election such technological equipment as required by the Camerlengo for the sole purpose of presenting an audiovisual message recorded by me for the cardinal electors. Following the presentation of this message, the technological equipment is to be removed from the place of election and the original provisions of article sixty-one are to be enforced.
‘Are there any questions regarding the amendment just introduced by Cardinal Donoher?’ Scheuermann asked.