The officials and assistants of the Holy See who will work during the Conclave took their oath of secrecy on the afternoon of Monday, May 5. This rite is required by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, promulgated by Pope John Paul II on February 22, 1996.
Held in the presence of the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the rite took place in the Pauline Chapel. Its purpose is to guarantee absolute confidentiality concerning everything involved in the election of the new pontiff.
In addition to the secretary of the College of Cardinals and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Monsignor Diego Ravelli, the participants included: seven pontifical ceremonieri; the cleric chosen by the cardinal presiding over the Conclave to assist him; two Augustinian religious in charge of the Pontifical Sacristy; confessors fluent in various languages; doctors and nurses; elevator operators of the Apostolic Palace; staff in charge of the cafeteria and cleaning services; the Florist and Technical Services personnel; those responsible for transporting electors from Casa Santa Marta to the Apostolic Palace; the colonel and a major of the Pontifical Swiss Guard in charge of security near the Sistine Chapel; the director of Vatican City State’s Security and Civil Protection Services along with some of his collaborators.
Oath
“I promise and swear to observe absolute secrecy with anyone not belonging to the College of Cardinal electors, and this perpetually, unless I receive special faculty expressly granted by the newly elected Pontiff or his successors, concerning everything directly or indirectly related to the voting and the scrutiny for the election of the Supreme Pontiff.”
With this oath, those involved commit to maintaining secrecy about everything that takes place in Vatican City during the Conclave, under penalty of latae sententiae excommunication, reserved to the Apostolic See.
