The 133 cardinal electors of the next Roman Pontiff must be sworn in just before the conclave that begins on Wednesday, the 7th. As is known, for the election of the Pope at least 2/3 of the ballots are needed, that is to say, 89 votes with your name, with very precise rules.
One of them is the oath. After the invocation to the Holy Spirit through the hymn 'Veni Creator Spiritus', Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, or the first cardinal in order of seniority, will read aloud the text of the "iureiurando" or oath.
In it, the cardinals bind themselves to faithfully respect the rules of the conclave. They swear that the one who is elected Roman Pontiff will finally carry out the "munus petrinum" (office or mission of Peter), of Pastor of the universal Church. And they also swear to observe "secrecy" about everything related to the election.
Full text
The full textentitled 'De ingressu in conclave et iureiurando" (The entrance into the conclave and the oath), is as follows:
"Each and every one of us Cardinal electors present at this election of the Supreme Pontiff promise, bind ourselves and swear to observe faithfully and scrupulously all the prescriptions contained in the Apostolic Constitution of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, Universi Dominici Gregisissued on February 22, 1996, and the modifications of the Motu Proprio '....Non-cancellable standards' of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI on February 22, 2013.
Likewise, we promise, bind ourselves and swear that whoever of us, by divine disposition, is elected Roman Pontiff, will commit himself to faithfully carry out the munus petrinum of Pastor of the universal Church and will not fail to affirm and defend boldly the spiritual and temporal rights, as well as the freedom of the Holy See".
During and after
"Above all," he continues the oathWe promise and swear to observe with the utmost fidelity and with all, both clergy and laity,
- the secret about everything related in any way to the election of the Roman Pontiff and about what happens in the place of the election concerning directly or indirectly the scrutiny;
- do not violate in no way is this secret both during and after of the election of the new Pontiff, unless explicit authorization is given by the Pontiff himself;
- not support or encourage any interferenceThe Roman Pontiff's election, opposition or any other form of intervention by which secular authorities of any order or degree, or any group of persons or individuals would wish to interfere in the election of the Roman Pontiff".
Oath of each cardinal elector
Then, according to the booklet of the celebration, "each cardinal elector, according to the order of precedence, will take the oath with this formula:
And I, N. Cardinal N. promise, bind myself and swear.
And placing his hand on the Gospels, he shall add: "So help me God and these Holy Gospels that I touch with my hand."".
After the oath, the aforementioned Master of the Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Archbishop Ravelli, will pronounce the famous "....Extra omnes" and all those outside the conclave must leave the Sistine Chapel.
PreviouslyOn Monday the 5th, the oath was taken by the so-called "officers and officials of the conclave".
