March 6, 2013
(Romereports.com) These are the three ballot boxes that will be used as cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel and elect the next Pope.
They
will write a name, fold the piece of paper in half and place it on this
tray before dropping into one of these ballot boxes. Once the votes are
counted, they will be placed on this second ballot box.
The third box, with a lock, is used for cardinals electors who
are sick and perhaps cannot make it to the conclave. In that case, the
sick cardinal places his vote inside the ballot box. Two authorized
people, will take it to the Sistine Chapel, where it will be opened with
this key.
These ballot boxes were made during the pontificate
of John Paul II, and they actually follow the Apostolic Constitution
'Universi Dominici Gregis.' They were used in the 2005 conclave when
Benedict XVI was elected. Now they will be used to elect the successor
of St. Peter.
BR/KLH
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