Speaking in his native German, Benedict told the audience that during the conclave, or papal election, when it became clear he was getting many votes, a cardinal passed him a note reminding him what he had preached about Christ calling Peter to follow him even if he was reluctant to go.
Benedict, 78, said he hoped to spend his last years living quietly and peacefully.
“At a certain point, I prayed to God ‘please don’t do this to me,”‘ he recalled. “Evidently, this time He didn’t listen to me.”
From a Catholic News Service story:
The cardinals and those assisting inside the conclave or at the dormlike building where the cardinals will stay are to take a solemn oath to observe “absolute and perpetual secrecy” about the election. Violation of the oath can mean excommunication.
The report noted the reason for Pope John Paul II amending the rules regarding the conclave, in 1996, was because he had been unhappy about some discussions that occurred amongst cardinals after the conclave that elected him and appeared in several books about the voting and set up these rules.
I’m sure nothing will happen. I understand the need for secrecy in the conclave but am not a fan of closed door elections.
