From a reader….
QUAERUNTUR:
I was wondering if it is still possible to gain indulgences during a papal interregnum (i.e., praying for the Holy Father’s intentions being a requirement to gain the indulgence)? Also are there any traditional practices during this time in place of praying for the Holy Father? I imagine just praying for a good, holy man to be the new pope.
Yes, it is still possible to obtain indulgences during the papal interregnum. When a Pope dies, almost all of the offices/positions in the Roman Curia are automatically vacated. Almost all. Two which do not cease are the Camerlengo (who has to organize the funeral and conclave) and the Major Penitentiary (usually a cardinal) in charge of the Apostolic Penitentiary. This is not a prison. It is the “senior” of the Church’s three tribunals, along with the Signatura and the Rota.
The Apostolic Penitentiary is competent in all matters regarding the internal forum and indulgences as expressions of divine mercy. For the internal forum, whether sacramental or non-sacramental, it grants absolution from censures, dispensations, commutations, validations, remissions and other favors.
The Apostolic Penitentiary is charged with the granting and use of indulgences.
The role of the Major Penitentiary is so important that, if he is a Cardinal Elector (under 80, etc.) he is one of the only people who can communicate with the outside world during the conclave. The other two are the Cardinal Vicar of the Diocese of Rome and the Cardinal Vicar of the Vatican City State.
The good of and the salvation of souls through the internal forum, the matter of censures, and the availability of indulgences is of such paramount importance that these functions remain in place even in an interregnum.
The Church has the authority to apply the merits of Christ’s Sacrifice and of the saints to relieve temporal punish due to sin through indulgences. While individual bishops can grant some indulgences for his subjects, this is done for the universal Church through the Apostolic Penitentiary.
As for the second question, I suppose we could have Masses said for him and we can – and should – pray the Rosary and other prayers such as the Memorare for the intentions you infer, namely, when it is pretty sure that he is in extremis that he have a good and holy death and for the Cardinal electors to choose a holy man who is also highly competent.
It is also important for pray for Popes and others after they die as well. Speaking of gaining indulgences!
Let us all pray for those who have gone to their judgment and not assume that they have automatically or quickly been admitted to the Beatific Vision. It is an important work of mercy to pray for the dead.
Gain indulgences!
That also means…
GO TO CONFESSION!
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