Habemus Papam! ConQuest Conclave 2013

At our most recent meeting, we held our own "mock" Conclave to elect the next Pope! The boys (and some of the dads) donned red mitres and learned about the history of Papal Conclaves and the process by which the Pope is chosen. They each assumed the identity of actual Cardinals of the Church, some of whom are considered among the papabile, literally "pope-able", candidates. 

Unlike a real Conclave, cell phones with cameras were obviously permitted!

One-by-one the Cardinals cast their secret ballots. There was a run-off between the top two vote-getters: Peter Cardinal Turkson of Ghana and Angelo Cardinal Bagnasco of Italy. When the final votes were verified, these words were announced to all present:

"Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam! Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Angelo, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bagnasco, qui sibi nomen imposuit Connor I."

("I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope! The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord, Lord Angelo, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Bagnasco, who takes to himself the name Connor I.")

We had a lot of fun with this. But the boys were reminded that we cannot predict the outcome of the actual Papal Conclave. Only God knows who the Cardinals will choose under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

May God grant His Holiness Benedict XVI many years of prayer and rest! May He bless us with a Holy Father who will continue the work of his esteemed predecessor for the good of the Church!