In the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals take an oath according to the instructions of Pope John Paul II, in a document that gives papal conclusion that he published in 1996.
The oldest cardinal reads an oath in Latin and the 133 cardinals will go along and promise to follow the prescribed rules. They also promise that the person chosen as the next pope “will be faithful” to “perform the mission of St. Peter, the first Pontiff,” and will not fail to confirm and defend the spiritual and temporary rights and the freedom of the Holy chair. “
The cardinals also experience that the procedure – including the votes – will remain secret, unless the new pope says they can break that vow. All notes made during the conclave are supposed to be burned with the paper ballot, which are burned twice a day.
That said, his reports of the secret deliberations were sometimes taken away after the elections, and some Vaticanisti, as the Vatican press corps is known, have together surprised how some choices were made. There have also been cases of “secret diaries” by anonymous cardinals who later became public, as in The case of one Telling the election of Benedict XVI in 2005.
The cardinals also do not promise to be influenced by external influences.
Each cardinal then places an oath in Latin, puts his hand on the Bible and says: “And I”, in which he explains his name: “Do this promise, promise and swear. So help me God and these holy gospels that I touch with my hand.”
As soon as the last cardinal has taken the oath, Diego Ravelli, the master of papal liturgical festivals will give the order ‘Extra Omnes’, Latin for ‘Everybody Out’. He is one of the few people who stays in the chapel during the conclave, but not while votes are counted.
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