Pre-Conclave reading: Universi Dominici Gregis
On the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of The Roman Pontiff
John Paul II:
“It has been my wish to give particular attention to the age-old institution of the Conclave, the rules and procedures of which have been established and defined by the solemn ordinances of a number of my Predecessors. A careful historical examination confirms both the appropriateness of this institution, given the circumstances in which it originated and gradually took definitive shape, and its continued usefulness for the orderly, expeditious and proper functioning of the election itself, especially in times of tension and upheaval.”
The above paragraph appears early in the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis—On the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of The Roman Pontiff.
It can be found on the Vatican website here.
If you have a sincere interest in the Conclave (THE Conclave, NOT the movie) you’ll benefit from reading the document—and it’s John Paul II.
Let the “chimney-watch” begin.
NB: The original post has been updated. I had the date of 2013, when in fact JPII promulgated the document in 1996. Revised by Benedict XVI in 2013. Thanks to a good friend for contacting me about the error. JPII died in 2005. As I said to my friend: "Holy smokes! (pun intended) Good catch."