Apoštolská konstituce Universi Dominici Gregis o uprázdnění Apoštolského stolce a o volbě papeže
Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis on Vacancy of Apostolic See and Election of Pope

Summary/Abstract: The article focuses on the legal regulation of the election of the Pope according to the recent act, the publication of which was presumed by the Code of Canon Law in can. 335 and the Code of Canons of Eastern Churches in can. 47. The legislation was implemented by Pope John Paul II in 1996 in the form of the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. It was only partially amended by his successor Benedict XVI. Like the apostolic constitution, the paper proceeds chronologically and follows step by step prescribed procedures from funeral of the deceased Pope to the announcement of the new Pope. It emphasizes, in particular, the need to maintain absolute secrecy regarding the election, the process and manner of election, and stresses the extraordinary responsibility that the cardinals, as voters of Peter’s successor, bear for the Church.

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