Conclave of March (with more Fumata Bianca)

By:  Lionel Hutz
March 13, 2013 11:11 am | Category: Weather

In 1054, the Bishop of Constantinople ordered the closure of all Latin churches in Constantinople, thus beginning the east – west split known as the Great Schism. For roughly 250 years turmoil reigned as eastern and western influences battled for control of the faith. Hoping to figure out a way to resolve the split, and plan for the future, Gregory X convened the Second Council of Lyons in March 1272 (roughly a lot of years ago). An ancillary agenda item (along with the death of Thomas Aquinas) was the discussion of reforming the process of resolving states of sede vacante as concerning the Bishop of Rome.

Specifically, the Council was frustrated by the interregnum of 1268-1271 where there was no apostolic Successor to St. Peter. Prior to the Second Council of Lyons, electorate Cardinals were free to leave the conclave at their will. Accordingly, the elevation process became open to substantial political influence and public scrutiny.

Seeking to end such long election periods, and limit political influence on the College, Gregory X (also know as Stumpy Pete) decreed to the Council that cardinals were no longer allowed to leave the Conclave until the Successor to St. Peter was chosen. Of course, as we know, the decision to sequester the College of Cardinals did not end the political influence. In fact, until the 20th Century key catholic monarchs actually held a veto power known as the jus exclusivae over the election of the Bishop of Rome. (The last such “veto” occurred in 1903 when Austria communicated through it’s Cardinal Prince Kosielsko that it opposed the election of Cardinal Rampolla. Ha. Austria player on a global stage….those were the days)

Anywho, while the process has developed some over the last 800 years, the process today is much the same as it was in the 13th century. Following the death or resignation of the Bishop of Rome, a Concalve from the College of Cardinals is convened. The College must not contain more than 120 Cardinals under the age of 80. An oath is administered prior to seating the College in the Sistine Chapel. All votes are to be conducted in peace and quiet in the Chapel. The voting process may begin on the first afternoon of the conclave, but only one vote may proceed at that time. Following that Cardinals may vote up to 4 times in a day, with a maximum of 33 ballots are conducted. A Pope is elected when a Cardinal receives a super-majority of votes (2/3). Voting is to done in absolutely secrecy and any Cardinal who threatens the secrecy is subject to excommunication.

Of course, given the power granted to the Vicar, and the global influence he wields, politics are still entrenched in the process. With over 1 billion followers (or about 75% of the Justin Bieber’s fanbase….shoot me now) and Cardinals from all over the world, there are many competing influences in the election. Speculation is rampant. Currently there are elements that would like to see a the dawn of a new era through the election of a non-European Pope. A Vatican Spring if you will. Others, wish for the election of a seasoned member of the Curia; one well versed in the ways of Vatican governance so as to push through a series of much needed reforms while maintaining much of the staid ways of history.

Currently, the signals are tending towards the election of the Old Guard. In fact, many commentators have stated that when taken as a whole the influence of the Pacific and North American clergy, along with the influence of the Cardinal from Quebec, and a
colder less enthusiastic conclave the likelihood of a spring change is low. That’s not always a bad thing.

Famously, at the end of each voting voting process the ballots are burned with additives to create a fumata nera signaling no super-majority had been reached. When a successful vote occurred, the ballots were burned alone (or with extra paper) to create fumata bianca.

Of course, with our intense interest in global politics, we’ll let you know as soon as the fumata bianca starts blowing.
_________

Not less than 4 hours after this went live, the Conclave picked a new Pope, AND it snowed 4-8 along the Spine. fumata bianca bitches.

And maybe some more:
With an upper trough in place over the NE a cool and generally moist environment prevail for the next 48-72 hours. With a west wind, light orographic snows are likely today thru tomorrow morning acorss the Green and White mountains. (1-3″). Late friday, a shortwave impulse will dive into the region from the N/W. The uplift ahead of the impulse’s vortmax will enhance lift and spark heavier snow showers in the region. Right now, it looks like a 3-7 type snow is possible Friday night into Saturday along the Green Spine, with 2-4 in the ADK and Whites.

All hail Francis I, the bringer of snow, the maker of powz.

Tags:
, , , , , , , ,

Related Stuff:

  1. The Ides of March… Whatever that Means
  2. March: In like a Slob and out like a Coastal Storm? Updated Friday PM
  3. VOTE!
  4. Holiday Weekend Weather (UPDATED…Now with Less Boooing)
  5. “Delta” Force : UPDATED
  6. Winter Storm Outlook: Weekend of Feb. 4-6 (UPDATED)

17 Comments

  1. Greg
    wrote on March 13th, 2013 at 11:20 am  
    1

    your best weather post yet. thank you!

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
  2. christian
    wrote on March 13th, 2013 at 11:41 am  
    2

    so is it going to dump at magic or what?!

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
  3. Angry Swede
    wrote on March 13th, 2013 at 1:12 pm  
    3

    The most cryptic wx? update yet. Is this your “et tu, brute”(winter)? The ides of march is near.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
  4. NS
    wrote on March 13th, 2013 at 1:38 pm  
    4

    How about a weather prediction?….It was well written…Did Greg help you?…Sounds like Midd Kid…

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Lionel Hutz
      wrote on March 13th, 2013 at 2:37 pm  
      5

      Nope. No weather prediction here.

  5. Anonymous
    wrote on March 14th, 2013 at 7:42 am  
    6

    The Pope isn’t worth paying attention too

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Negative Nellie
      wrote on March 14th, 2013 at 9:43 am  
      7

      Apparently grammar isn’t either…

  6. BR
    wrote on March 14th, 2013 at 8:11 am  
  7. Anonymous
    wrote on March 14th, 2013 at 2:27 pm  
    9

    Awesome post! Obviously, you can lead a bro to the pow, but you can’t make him go get it … or be grateful for it.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
  8. mtl_ripper
    wrote on March 14th, 2013 at 7:30 pm  
    10

    thanks for the updATE! I was too lazy to click all those links.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
  9. Jake
    wrote on March 14th, 2013 at 10:40 pm  
    11

    all hail pope argentina. I hope his holynessss plans on blessing the Andes this summer.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
  10. Anonymous
    wrote on March 16th, 2013 at 11:12 am  
    • Greg
      wrote on March 16th, 2013 at 6:16 pm  
      13

      good thing we have plenty of TP

    • Greg
      wrote on March 16th, 2013 at 6:26 pm  
      14

      and by that I mean “transfer protocols”

  11. Pope Frank I
    wrote on March 16th, 2013 at 6:03 pm  
    15

    The most recent anon ^^^ may go to Hell. And I can make it happen, ya know.

    Bless you, my Hutz.

    Now tell us more about this coming week so I don’t have to call on God to smote you or some shit. Thanks in advance.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Lionel Hutz
      wrote on March 16th, 2013 at 6:26 pm  
      16

      O heavenly father, can you please give me another 24 hours to digest my thoughts. I don’t have the divine vision that you do. ….

  12. Pope Frank I
    wrote on March 16th, 2013 at 7:23 pm  
    17

    Well, I’m not the Omniscient One, personally, but thanks all the same.

    I’d like to book lodging in the Most Holy MRV before Mass tomorrow morning but if I have to wait until evening vespers, so be it.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
Please consider visiting our sponsors.

Leave a Reply

(no login required)

Check for email notifications of new comments (valid email required)        


Next (newer) Post:
Random Post Previous (older) Post:
Home
Stay in touch: Click here to follow us on Twitter. Click here to subscribe for updates to be delivered via RSS. Click here to become a fan on Facebook. Click here to read and share real time weather observations. Learn more over at the account. It's awesome. We promise!