The formula has been used at least from 1484, but it is assumed that its origin is linked to the end of the West schism
“Annunio Vobis Gaudium Magnum: Habemus Papam!”. These are the words with which Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the first of the Cardinal Diaconi, will announce from the loggia of the blessing room of the Vatican Basilica the election and the name of the successor of Pope Francis took placethe 267th pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. An ancient formula, translatable as “I announce a great joy: we have the Pope!”, Of which the exact origin is unknown and which is used at least since 1484, but perhaps even from before.
Habemus Papam, the complete formula for the announcement of the new pontiff
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At the time of the announcement to the public of the election of the new pontiff, the complete formula includes The name of the electo baptismin Latin accusative, his surname not translated into Latin e The pontifical name chosen by the newly elected.
This was the full formula used on the occasion of theElection of Pope Francis on 13 March 2013: “Annunio Vobis Gaudium Magnum; Habemus Papam: Eminentissimum AC Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Georgium Marium Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio Qui Sibi Nomen Esuit Franciscum”, translatable as “I announce a great joy, we have the Pope. The very eminent and reverend lord, Ladies Jorge Mario, Bergoglio of the Holy Roman Church, who chose the name of Francis for himself “.
The origin of the Habemus Papam formula
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The Latin text of the so -called Habemus Papam, explained to Vaticannews Don Davide Pirasmember of the scriptores team of the Latin Latin office office, is in part Inspired by chapter 2 of Luca’s Gospelwhich reports the words of the angel who announces the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds: “And the angel said to them: ‘Do not fear, because here, I go to the good news of a great joy that all the people will have.’ Today, in the city of David, a savior was born for you, who is Christ, the Lord ‘”.
If there is no doubt about this, it is more difficult to establish Since the formula of the Habemus Papam is used To announce the election of the new pontiff to the faithful. Numerous writings confirm that the formula was used in 1484 to announce the election of Giovanni Battista Cybo, Pope Innocent VIII. Traditionally, however, the use of this formula is traced back toElection of Pope Martino V in 1417the pontiff who managed to recompose the Western schism.
During that period, between 1378 and 1417, several popes have claimed simultaneously their respective legitimacy, finding each one in the following in the countries of western Christianity. For a period the papacy was claimed by Clemente VIII and Urbano VI, then by Bonifacio IX and by Benedict XIII, but there was also a short period in which three popes have claimed their legitimacy: Alessandro V, Gregory XII and Benedict XII.
The recomposition of the schism occurred during the Council of Constance, between 1414 and 1418, and sanctioned with the election of Cardinal Oddone ColonnaMartino V, a single pontiff recognized by everyone. On that occasion, according to the experts, that formula for underlines the election of a single person to the helm of the Catholic Church and thus sanction a clear cut compared to the past.
La Gazzetta dello Sport
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