Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York is gearing up for the forthcoming conclave to choose the next pope and has shared his advice for those attending for the first time.
Cardinal Dolan Prepares for Conclave: Tips for First-Time Participants
Cardinal Dolan Prepares for Conclave: Tips for First-Time Participants
As the conclave approaches, Cardinal Dolan shares his insights and must-haves for electing a new pope.
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York is offering invaluable advice for cardinals gearing up for their inaugural conclave. In a recent interview, he emphasized the importance of bringing reading materials, humorously recommending, “Bring a book.” As cardinals converge at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican’s guesthouse, to prepare for this pivotal event, Dolan is mindful that the conclave can entail considerable periods of silence.
The conclave, which occurs in the Sistine Chapel, requires all cardinal electors to take an oath of secrecy. The voting process involves secret ballots and continues until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. According to Dolan, the voting itself can take considerable time with each cardinal casting their votes in a solemn ritual to prevent any election violations. “It’s not like you’re at the edge of your seat, watching them all do that,” he remarked, referring to his experiences from the last conclave, which resulted in the elevation of Pope Francis in 2013.
Dolan is planning to take a biography of Michelangelo, feeling a connection to the artist given that he will be surrounded by his masterpieces, notably “The Last Judgment” on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel. In his practical yet thoughtful approach, he combines passion for art with the solemnity of the pope-selection process as he prepares to fulfill his role in this historic event.
The conclave, which occurs in the Sistine Chapel, requires all cardinal electors to take an oath of secrecy. The voting process involves secret ballots and continues until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. According to Dolan, the voting itself can take considerable time with each cardinal casting their votes in a solemn ritual to prevent any election violations. “It’s not like you’re at the edge of your seat, watching them all do that,” he remarked, referring to his experiences from the last conclave, which resulted in the elevation of Pope Francis in 2013.
Dolan is planning to take a biography of Michelangelo, feeling a connection to the artist given that he will be surrounded by his masterpieces, notably “The Last Judgment” on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel. In his practical yet thoughtful approach, he combines passion for art with the solemnity of the pope-selection process as he prepares to fulfill his role in this historic event.
