Before a new pope is chosen, each cardinal takes part in a solemn and ancient rite—a process steeped in reverence, tradition, and divine accountability.
Far beyond politics or preference, the papal conclave is an act of profound spiritual discernment.
In a moment that binds conscience to eternity, every cardinal must confront the gravity of his choice under the gaze of Christ the Judge. The phrase that captures this holy surrender is simple yet powerful: “Soli Deo”—to God alone.
“SOLI DEO”
After writing the name of his preferred candidate under the lower half of the ballot paper on which the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”) is printed, each cardinal walks to the altar, holding up his folded ballot so it can be seen, and, facing the large fresco of the Final Judgment, says aloud:
“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.”
He places his ballot on a plate, or paten, and then slides it into a receptacle, traditionally a large chalice, and then returns to his seat. Each Cardinal electors goes through this process, which, for want of a better word, can be described as liturgical.
The conclave is not merely an election process. It is one of those rare, solemn, and profound moments when every cardinal stands before God who will be his Supreme and Final Judge.
