11-17 April 2005

This has been a week of silence. No longer do we hear the sound of helicopters hovering above Rome and Vatican City, the mournful tolling bells have ceased and the Cardinals have taken an oath of silence this week with anything that directly or even indirectly has to do with the upcoming conclave. It has been a period of silence and waiting.

There were, however, some events that went in the midst of the silence. There was a novena of Masses celebrated in the Basilica. For the past nine days, every afternoon at 5:00pm , people gathered in the Basilica for a Mass usually presided over by one of the Cardinals. These masses helped all to remember that we were still in an official period of mourning, but also were opportunities for the homilists to reflect a bit on the life of John Paul II and on the life and the future of our Church.

Preparations for the conclave began in the Sistine chapel. Much to the dismay of many tourists and pilgrims the chapel has been closed all week to ensure that it is secure and free of any 21^st century listening devices (I wonder if Michelangelo ever thought that would be an issue while he was painting the ceiling?)

The furnace in which the ballots will be burned was installed as well as the chimney tube which is now visible from the roof of the Sistine.

There are still long lines forming around Vatican City. The tomb of John Paul II is now open for public viewing and depending on the time of day, there can be a wait of up to 3 hours. Another long line which has formed this week is the line in front of the Vatican Post Office. This has caused a bit of confusion among many pilgrims who found themselves joining the queue thinking that it was for entrance to the basilica or to view the new tomb or even to climb to the top of the cupola. Much to their surprise, and often their disappointment after waiting sometimes up to an hour, they discover that it is the line to buy Sede Vacante postage stamps. These stamps have attracted large crowds with queues lasting up to 3-4 hours. The stamps can only be used during the time the Papal Seat is vacant. I was able to get in line early enough in the morning that it only took me 1.5 hours to wait. As with the other lines that have formed these past few weeks, it provided people with another opportunity to talk with each other and meet people from various parts of the world.

One of the more dramatic signs of the upcoming Papal election has been the decoration of the center balcony of the Basilica.

This is the balcony where, after a new Pope has been elected we will hear the words. Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus Papam.  “I announce to you a great joy. We have a Pope.” The new Pope will then come to the balcony and offer his first Blessing to the city and to the world (Urbi et Orbi).

The speculation continues as to just who that Pope may be. Each day in the newspapers, lists appear rating the performances of the Cardinals and the possibility of each one becoming the next Pope. Names such as Sodano, Kasper, Ratzinger, Martini, Arinze, Tettamanzi, and Maridiaga have all made the lists most circulated, but there seems to be no clear choice as of now.

Now, on the day before the conclave, thunderstorms are breaking the silence, as the rains continue to fall upon Vatican City. Tomorrow morning, I will go to the Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter where all of the Cardinals and faithful from around the world will gather in prayer asking for God’s Spirit to be with the Cardinals and the whole church as we enter into the period of electing our new Pope.