The AAPHI Blog

Some astronomers believe that the Christmas Star was a meteor or a comet. Perchance the first estimation put forward was that it was an remarkably brilliant fireball meteor seen streaking toward the apparent horizon. But as nearly skywatchers know, such an object can be viewed to flash across the sky in a mere matter of seconds scarcely long enough to lead the Magi halfway across the Orient to the little town of Bethlehem. So we can confidentlylay this concept to rest.

Not so easily brushed aside, however, is the possibleness that the Star was a vibrant comet. Comets can continue to be visible to the unaided eye for weeks either in the predawn sky or at dusk. It is not unthinkable to think that a comet with a colorful star-like head and long transparent tail pointing like some cosmic finger toward the horizon could have taken in the Magi to Bethlehem. The illustrious Halley’s Comet, last seen in early 1986, also erupted in the sky during August and September in the year 11 BC. However, most authorities dismiss it due to the poor time match. Although it appears unconvincing that another great comet could have come along nearer to the recognised time frame of the Stars appearance and went unrecorded, we can never really be confident. Besides, comets were viewed as portends of evil, such as deluges and famine as well as the fatality not the birth of kings and monarchs. The Romans, in ensuring the death of the Roman General Agrippa, for example, used the 11 BC apparition of Halley’s Comet as a benchmark. With this in mind, comets would seem to be false as the heavenly sign that would signal the coming of a newborn king.

Was the Christmas Star a meteor or a comet?

Maybe the first estimate put forward was that it was an unusually bright fireball meteor seen streaking toward the visible horizon. But as most stargazers recognize, such an object can be witnessed to flash across the sky in a bare matter of seconds scarcely long enough to lead the Magi halfway across the Orient to the little town of Bethlehem. So we can confidently agree this not so.

Not so easily pushed aside, however, is the possibleness that the Star was a vibrant comet. Comets can stay persistently visible to the unaided eye for weeks either in the predawn sky or at nightfall. It is not unthinkable to conceptualize that a comet with a bright star-like head and long diaphanous tail pointing like some cosmic finger toward the apparent horizon could have guided the Magi to Bethlehem. The celebrated Halley’s Comet, last seen in early 1986, also flared in the sky during August and September in the year 11 BC. However, most agencies dismiss it due to the poor time match. Although it appears improbable that another great comet could have shown up nearer to the recognized time frame of the Stars appearance and went unrecorded, we can never really be sure. Besides, comets were viewed as portents of evil, such as earthquakes and famine as well as the destruction not the birth of kings and monarchs. The Romans, in ensuring the death of the Roman General Agrippa, for example, used the 11 BC manifestation of Halley’s Comet as a benchmark. With this in mind, comets would seem to be false as the heavenly sign that would signal the advent of a newborn king.

Upon the death of the Pope, a monumental sequence of events unfolds, culminating in a process known as the conclave whereby a new Pope is elected to lead the Roman Catholic faith.

Beneath Michelangelo’s revered ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, the College of Cardinals, led by the Cardinal Camerlegno (Cardinal Chamberlain), Eduardo Martinez Somalo, begins the arduous process of selecting the pope’s successor. The Cardinalate currently consists of 117 cardinals from all over the world. In the conclave, an event enduring little change since the thirteenth century, the cardinals take an oath of secrecy, that if broken renders the offender automatically excommunicated from the church. There are no televisions, radios, or newspapers allowed inside the conclave.

The Cardinal Electors, almost all of whom were appointed by Pope John Paul II, will vote in a very thorough process of secret balloting where a two-thirds majority is needed to elect a new Pope. The College may vote up to four times a day, but if a new Pope has not been chosen by the third day, then the cardinals cease the voting process for a day of prayer and reflection. Following the day of prayer, the cardinals will commence for another seven votes, then another day of prayer. If after 12 days a pope has still not been elected, then the two-thirds majority vote is negated and a vote by simple majority is instated.

The first indication to the outside world that a new pope has been elected is the telling smoke signals. After each voting session a smoke signal is given by burning the ballots. If the voting session is inconclusive, straw is added to the burning ballots to produce black smoke. Conversely, white smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen.

In the past the College usually elects a cardinal that has been under consideration for some time. The two requirements for eligibility for the papacy are that the candidates must be a man and Catholic. Although any Catholic male is technically eligible, history shows that the candidates are always cardinals.

What is new in this upcoming papal election is the doctrine of Vatican II, which no longer requires cardinals to study Latin. Therefore, the issue of a language barrier is a potential problem that the College may face, since many of the cardinals for the first time in history, will not share a common language.

Pope John Paul II was elected in 1978 and has since been revered by Catholics as well as other Christian denominations, Jews, and Muslims for being a “Pope for the people.” More than any of his predecessors, Pope John Paul II traveled the world, visiting and praying with the people of the area. Many attribute the restoration of the Catholic Church to Pope John Paul II. Much speculation has occurred regarding the Pope’s successor. The outcome of the conclave is widely anticipated and only when we hear the Latin phrase “Habemus Papam” come from the dean of the cardinals will the world know who the next Pope will be.

Amanda Milewski is a contributing writer for the Pope Blog - Conclave Edition

http://thepopeblog.blogspot.com