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What is the meaning of papal conclave?
A papal conclave is a gathering of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a bishop of Rome, also known as the pope. Catholics consider the pope to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and the earthly head of the Catholic Church.
Who became pope in 2005?
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the new pope on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 in Rome. Ratzinger, 78, was named Pope Benedict XVI and is the 265th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Roman Catholic cardinals elected Ratzinger on just the second day of the conclave to find a successor to Pope John Paul II.
How does the conclave work?
Papers are counted by three cardinals, one of whom reads out the names. A two-thirds majority is required. After the first day, there are two ballots each morning and two each afternoon until a pope is elected. Ballot papers are burned in a stove inside the Sistine Chapel that’s connected to a chimney on the roof.
Who is the head of the clave?
Consul: The highest appointed official in the Clave—the equivalent of a prime minister, rather than a king or president. They wield little executive power but rather serve to preside over the Council, to officially tally its votes, and to help interpret the Law.
What was the purpose of the 2005 papal conclave?
The 2005 papal conclave was convened to elect a new pope following the death of Pope John Paul II on 2 April 2005. After his death, the cardinals of the Catholic Church who were in Rome met and set a date for the beginning of the conclave to elect his successor.
How many cardinals attended the 2005 conclave?
Of the 117 eligible members of the College of Cardinals, those younger than 80 years of age at the time of the death of Pope John Paul II, all but two attended. After several days of private meetings attended by both cardinal electors and non-voting cardinals, the conclave began on 18 April 2005.
When was the first papal conclave held?
The 1492 conclave was the first to be held in the Sistine Chapel, the site of all conclaves since 1878. A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope. The Pope is considered by Roman Catholics to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and earthly head of the Catholic Church.
When did the 2005 conclave start and end?
After several days of private meetings attended by both cardinal electors and non-voting cardinals, the conclave began on 18 April 2005. It ended the following day after four ballots with the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Dean of the College of Cardinals and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.