Commotion at the Vatican

This past week has been an interesting on for the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI has decided to resign for "advance age" reasons. He is the first Pope since the 1400's to resign, only two other before him to have done so. Some people are in an uproar because the Pope is breaking tradition and think he is trying to change the church, whereas others are ok with this "divine decision."

Last Sunday the Pope attended his last Sunday Mass, and today he is delivering his last Angelus Prayer at St. Peters Square. It is a historic time here in Italy. Marito's dad flew into town last weekend and we made the trip to the Vatican on Thursday. The Square was being set up for the mass of people expected today and the rest of this week. Pope Benedict XVI is resigning on Thursday Feb. 28th, and this Wednesday will be his last day at the Vatican as the Pope.

I don't know much at all about Conclave and the process of electing a new Pope. In fact all of my information comes from the book and movie Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. Not the most reliable source. So I scoured the Internet and threw together information that I have found to pass on to you, to help you understand the up coming process.

So, what is next?

The College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel, and will bunker down until a decision is made on who the new pope is. The 116, eligible for election, Cardinals will pray for guidance on who should be elected as the Successor of St. Peter and will not leave until a 2/3 decision has been reached. No one is to enter or leave Conclave (Latin for "with keys") as to prevent any outside influence on voting.

When does Conclave start?

Typically, Conclave occurs between 15-20 days after the death of a Pope. With Pope Benedict XVI resigning there is talk about Conclave occurring sooner than later, with hopes of having a new Pope by Easter.

Why 15-20 after the death?

This timing is to allow the eligible electors to reach Rome for the funeral and gather in the Sistine Chapel for the secret voting.

Pope Benedict XVI is resigning on Feb 28th, so will this speed up the process?

The Pope can amend the law and with the pressure to have a new elect by Easter it is quite possible that Conclave will start early. All of the Cardinals will attend a farewell meeting, planned by Benedict, and since they will already be in attendance, why would Conclave need to wait 15 days? There is pressure to have a new Pope by Palm Sunday, March 24th, but during the time of Lent traditionally it is frowned upon to celebrate, including the installation of a new Pope. The exception is on March 19th, the Feast of St. Joseph, but Conclave will need to have been started and a new Pope picked in time.

What are the rules or qualifications of electing the next Pope?

The maximum numbers of electors is 120 Cardinals, 4 ballots are casted a day- twice in the morning and twice in the evening. The Pope may not be over the age of 80 when the Papalcy is vacated, and must be elected by a two-thirds plus one vote. If 12 or 13 days pass and a successor hasn't been elected a simple majority vote is placed.

So what happens behind the locked doors?

Each rectangular ballot is inscribed at the top with the words Eligo in Summum Pontificem, meaning "I elect as supreme pontiff." Below these words, each cardinal writes down the name of the person he chooses as the pope. The vote is done in secret with paper and pen. The voting cardinal then folds the ballot twice, holds it in the air, and carries it the chapel's altar. He then says, "I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected." The cardinal places the ballot on a plate that sits atop the ballot receptacle and uses the plate to drop the ballot into the receptacle. After bowing before the altar, he returns to his seat.

Three Scrutineers, who are selected by all of the cardinals, are charged with counting the ballots. Once the ballots are collected, the Scrutineers count the ballots to determine if everyone has voted. If the number of ballots doesn't match the number of electors, the ballots are immediately burned and another vote is taken.
Here are the steps for the vote-tallying procedure:

1. The first Scrutineer takes a ballot, notes the name on it, and passes it to the next Scrutineer.
2. The second Scrutineer notes the name and passes it to the third Scrutineer.
3. The third Scrutineer reads aloud the name on the ballot, pierces the ballot with a needle through the word Eligo at the top of the ballot, and slides the ballot onto a string of thread.
4. Each elector notes the name that is read.
5. Once all ballots are read, the Scrutineers write down the official count on a separate sheet of paper.
6. The third Scrutineer ties the ends of the thread on which the ballots are placed in a knot to preserve the vote.
7. The ballots are placed in a receptacle.

After each vote, the ballots and any notes regarding them are burned. Smoke from the burning of the ballots appears over the Vatican Palace. If no pope has been chosen, a chemical is applied to the ballots in order to create black smoke when burned. White smoke signals that a pope has been elected.

As close as I am to the Vatican, I would love to make a trip to Rome to partake in this historic event, but I will probably stay home and watch BBC or CNN live coverage. I can still say to my kids one day, "Hey! I was in Italy when this happened!"

If you don't mind the crowds and congestion, I urge you to make the pilgrimage to the Vatican and witness this historic religious event for yourself.

Carnevale- Rich in Culture and History

Carnevale is what Americans refer to as Mardi Gras. Celebrated across Italy, the biggest celebration is held in Venice every year. Approx 3 million people flock to Venice to don fancy masks, elaborate costumes and dance the night away at the ball. I wasn't fortunate to make the trip to Venice in time to experience Carnevale myself, but it was nice to know that MWR/ITT offered a trip, which means if I don't want to plan one, I can easily sign up for a hassle free experience.

What is Carnevale all about?

Venice used to called the Repubblica della Serenissima, and the Carnival originated from a victory against Patriarch of Aquileia. People of the town met in San Marco Square and danced to honor the victory. Carnevale became an official festival during the Renaissance but diminished during the 18th Century. In 1979, the Italian government brought back the festival to commemorate the history and culture of Venice.

When does Carnevale start?

It used to be that Carnevale began in October, but now it begins on the Day of Epiphany and lasts approx ten days before Lent. Masks are allowed to be worn starting on the Festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stefano's Day) on December 26th.

When does Carnevale end?

Fat Tuesday is the last day of the celebration. Forty Days before Easter.

What's with the masks?

The masks play a big role in Carnevale. They hide people's identities, therefore allowing no differentiation between commoners and noblemen.


Fun fact!

The Tuesday before Lent starts is called Shrove Tuesday. Shrove is past tense for "shrive" which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Therefore, Christians are to be "shriven" before the start of Lent.

Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day in America, but why?

It is traditionally to eat pancakes before the start of Lent to help use up rich foods such as eggs, sugar, and milk before the fasting season of Lent. Fasting doesn't mean starving ones self, but to eat plainer food- no meat, dairy or eggs.

What food is eaten during Carnevale?

Italians indulge in rich, fatty foods, thus the term for Fat Tuesday. Popular dishes include: gnocchi (potato-pasta dumplings), tortelli (meat filled pasta), even Sanguinaccio di Carnievale.

Sanguinaccio di Carnevale has been banned from public sale, but the locals still make it. Why is it banned and what is it you ask? Well... if you really want to know.. it is a bitter chocolate pudding. Not bad right? I forgot to mention that it is flavored with fresh pigs blood. It was banned in 1992 for health- law concerns.

Lasagna is also eaten on Fat Tuesday, again as a way to use up the richer and fatty foods from the home before Lent. So in honor of the tradition, I went to the NEX and bought a Stoffers Lasagna!

Something for the Kids!

Italians don't celebrate Halloween like Americans do. They celebrate All Saint's Eve on November 1, but the tradition of wearing Halloween costumes is slowly becoming popular. The last day of Carnevale, however, the children dress up like Spiderman, Princesses, and anything imaginable. I went to the local shopping mall the weekend before and about fell on my butt from all of the confetti on the ground (didn't help I was wearing heals!) from the parade put on for the children.

Being here for 3 years, I have all the time in the world to go to Venice. but having missed one Carnevale already I have only TWO MORE CHANCES to attend again with ease. Time to start planning my trip for next year!

Here are some interesting websites that I ran across while researching for this blog!


Official Sites: http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/
                     http://www.venice-carnival-italy.com/
Types of Masks:  http://www.venetianmasksociety.com/History-of-Carnevale_ep_37-1.html
General Information: http://www.twistedimage.com/productions/carnivale/
                             http://venicexplorer.net/carnevale-di-venezia/index.php