(Vatican Radio) At the start of the conclave Tuesday in the Sistine Chapel, the senior
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re read aloud the following formula of the oath prescribed
by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis: "In conformity with the
provisions of No. 52 of the Apostolic constitution Univesi Dominici Gregis, We, the
Cardinal electors present in this election of the Supreme Pontiff promise, pledge
and swear, as individuals and as a group, to observe faithfully and scrupulously the
prescriptions contained in the Apostolic Constitution of the Supreme Pontiff John
Paul II, Universi Dominici Gregis, published on 22 February 1996. We likewise promise,
pledge and swear that whichever of us by divine disposition is elected Roman Pontiff
will commit himself faithfully to carrying out the munus Petrinum of Pastor of the
Universal Church and will not fail to affirm and defend strenuously the spiritual
and temporal rights and the liberty of the Holy See. In a particular way, we promise
and swear to observe with the greatest fidelity and with all persons, clerical or
lay, secrecy regarding everything that in any way relates to the election of the Roman
Pontiff and regarding what occurs in the place of the election, directly or indirectly
related to the results of the voting; we promise and swear not to break this secret
in any way, either during or after the election of the new Pontiff, unless explicit
authorization is granted by the same Pontiff; and never to lend support or favour
to any interference, opposition or any other form of intervention, whereby secular
authorities of whatever order and degree or any group of people or individuals might
wish to intervene in the election of the Roman Pontiff." Each of the Cardinal electors,
according to the order of precedence, then took the oath according to the following
formula: "And I, N. Cardinal N., do so promise, pledge and swear. Placing his hand
on the Gospels, he will add: So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with
my hand."