L'antica e venerabile Basilica, motu proprio, May 31, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI (2005-).

New norms for the renewal of the worship practiced in the Pontifical Basilica of S. Paolo fuori le Mura, for its administration and for its extratorritorial complex. The pope named archpriest of the basilica Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, titular archbishop of Tuscania. The archpriests of the other three major basilicas of Rome, Lateran, Vatican and Liberian, have been cardinals since ancient times.

Source: Vatican Press Office Bulletin, May 31, 2005.

De Basilicis Sancti Francisci et Sanctæ Mariæ Angelorum, motu proprio, November 9, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI (2005-).

The document contains new disposations for the Basilica of San Francesco and the annexed Sacro Convento; as well as for the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi. The pope established in number I of the document that a cardinal will be his legate to both basilicas and convent. He will not have jurisdiction but will have the task to perpetuate with his moral authority the close ties of communion between the sacred places dedicated to the memory of the Poverello and the Apostolic See. The cardinal will be able to impart the papal blessing in the celebrations that he will preside in occasion of the greater liturgical solemnities.

Source: Vatican Press Office Bulletin, November 9, 2005.

Motu proprio concerning the election of the Supreme Pontiff, June 11, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI (2005-

Made public on June 26, 2007 was a "Motu Proprio," written in Latin, with which the Holy Father Benedict XVI restores the traditional norm concerning the majority required for the election of the Supreme Pontiff. According to this norm, in order for the election of a new Pope to be considered valid it is always necessary to reach a majority of two thirds of the cardinals present.

With this document, Benedict XVI substitutes the norm established by John Paul II who, in his 1996 Apostolic Constitution "Universi Dominici gregis," laid down that the valid quorum for electing a new Pope was initially two thirds but that, after three days of voting without an election, there would be a day dedicated to reflection and prayer, without voting. Thereafter, voting would resume for seven additional ballots, another pause for reflection, another seven ballots, another pause and yet another seven ballots. After which an absolute majority was to decide how to proceed, either for a vote by absolute majority or with balloting between two candidates. This was to happen only in the event that the cardinals arrived at the 33rd or 34th ballot without a positive result.

Source: Vatican Press Office Bulletin, June 26, 2007.

The new titles of S. Maria della Presentazione, Preziossisimo Sangue di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, and S. Lino; and the new deaconries of S. Lorenzo in Piscibus, S. Salvatore in Lauro, and S. Ponziano, were established, November 23, 2007, Benedict XVI (2005-).

When the pope celebrated a consistory to create 23 new cardinals, he assigned these new titles and deaconries to some of those prelates.

Source: Vatican Press Office, October 21, 2007.

Ecclesiae Unitatem, motu proprio, July 2, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI (2005-).

Made public on July 9, 2009, the document, written in Latin and Italian, unites the presidency of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" with the office of prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

©1998-2010 Salvador Miranda.