Chereads / The Young Pope / Chapter 6 - The Papal Coronation (2)

Chapter 6 - The Papal Coronation (2)

"Tu es Petrus, et super hanc Petram aedificabo Ecclesiam Meam . . ."

(Latin: Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My Church . . .)

While the choir sings, the Bishops proceed to the main Altar of St. Peter's Basilica, each wearing the alb, white stole, white cope, and mitre, they are followed by the Cardinals, each of whom also wearing the same as the Bishops, except for the last three Cardinals.

(Note: mitre, cope, and stole are different kinds of vestment in the Catholic Church, some of which are also used by other Christian denominations.)

The last three Cardinals are the Cardinal Bishop of Ostia, and the two Cardinal Deacons beside him. Each Cardinal Deacon is wearing a mitre, white dalmatic, with white stole and the alb inside. The Cardinal Bishop of Ostia is not wearing all of those mentioned above, except the cope, instead, he is having a white Roman chasuble on top of the dalmatic.

(Note: if you find it hard to understand or imagine, you can google the vestment and also watch some films and clips about the traditional Popes.)

Finally, it's the servants who are carrying the Sedia Gestatoria with Benedict on it, he is not having any of the vestment on, except the alb outside his white papal robe, as he is not a member of the Holy Orders now.

Benedict could see that the Basilica is full of Roman and Italian nobles, many are showing disdain on their faces. The action of Count Alberic III of course angers them, this is simply just profane and sacrilegious. But as Theophylactus has accepted the election, they could no nothing now but watching a boy sit on the Papal Chair, unless they want to assassinate him, which is a grievous sin that can only be forgiven by the Popes himself. If the assassination failed, they would be excommunicated, and of course lost all noble titles and privileges. If the assassination succeeded, they had to make sure the next Pope is a candidate belongs to their side, or they would be facing the same consequences. It's a very large risk to take since the Papal Election is the most unpredictable election in the world.

(Note: the Papal Election is still the most unpredictable now, except in rare some cases that a Papabile, a candidate who is most likely to become Pope, is elected.)

And sitting on first seats, are Count Alberic III with his spouse, and children, Benedict's brothers and sisters, along with others who are related to the Count and the two previous Popes, Benedict VIII and John XIX, the Count's late brothers.

Meanwhile, the normal people gather outside, they can't go inside to see the Pope, but can only stand outside, and pray. Although some hate the clergy, the majority of them is pious, and they pray for the safety and health of the Pope.

After coming to the main Altar. the servants, put the Sedia Gestatoria down, and Benedict gets down and proceeds to the main Altar. The choir's voices become smaller and smaller, gradually, they stop when Benedict comes before the main Altar and kneels down in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.

Then the ceremonies to admit him to the Holy Orders begin, Benedict kneels down on a red kneeling pillow in front of the Cardinal Bishop of Ostia, who will be performing the ceremonies.

The Cardinal Bishop begin to perform the ceremonies. He reads and chants all the formulas in Latin, which Benedict understands a little. A Altar server kneels beside him, holding a small stack of paper full of Latin words. When it's turn for Benedict to reply, the Altar server will point to the part he needs, and Benedict just need to reads it.

First, Benedict is admitted to the minor orders, first of which is porter, then lector, exorcist, and acolyte, according to the ascending sequence.

Then, Benedict is admitted to the major orders, first of which is subdeacon. From this order onward, the ordained officially become a cleric with a vow to never marry, stay chaste and recite the Divine Office until the end of their life.

The Cardinal Bishop whispers to his ear: "From this point onward, no turning point, br . . . son!"

The young Pontiff whispers back: "We know, We do not have any intent of turning back to the secular life. And address Us as 'Holy Father'. We are Father and Pastor and Teacher of the Universal Church, dear beloved brethren."

(Note: the Pope, although he is above all other Bishops, he is also the bishop of Rome, and other Bishops are his brethren, or brothers, in Faith and their episcopal ministry.)