How Cardinals Elect a Pope is an Example for Us All

Shortly after electing Joseph Ratzinger as the 264th Successor of Saint Peter, one of the men who voted in that conclave spoke at my parish about his experience.

Cardinal George came to Joliet in 2005 and gave a tremendous talk about faith, reason, and Catholics place in the world.

One thing that stood out to me was his description of how a Cardinal casts his vote for Pope.

Each of the cardinals walks from his desk to the altar in the Sistine Chapel. Standing at the foot of the Cross, in front of Michelangelo’s Last Judgement, he casts his vote.

Each cardinal attests, in front of his Brother Cardinals and under Pain of Sin, that the vote he is about to cast is the Will of God.

Hearing Cardinal George speak, I couldn’t help but think of lesser human affairs.

What kind of world would we have if people voted with such conviction?

Yes, there are politics, even among Cardinals electing the Vicar of Christ. They are human, after all.  I cannot help but consider what kind of world we would have if everyone took the time to think about their vote.

I mean really think.

Then cast that vote with genuine belief that it is the right thing for our community, our nation, and our world.