Universi Dominici Gregis

On the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff

St. John Paul II1996-02-22Amended

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Overview

Regulates the governance of the Church during a vacant Apostolic See and the conclave for electing a new pope.

Why This Document Matters

It is the principal modern constitutional framework for a papal transition and conclave, read with later amendments.

Historical Context

Issued by St. John Paul II in 1996, this apostolic constitution addresses the pastoral, doctrinal, or governing needs of its period while remaining part of the Church's continuing documentary tradition.

Authority and Status

Genre: Apostolic Constitution
Authority class: Papal apostolic constitution
Juridical force: Doctrinal, legislative, or governing according to its provisions
Current status: Amended
Promulgated: 1996-02-22

Legal or historical note: Current as amended by later papal legislation.

A high-form papal act whose doctrinal, juridical, or governing force is determined by its contents and stated provisions.

Key Points

Canon Law & GovernanceEcclesiologyClergy & Holy Orders

Major Themes

Canon Law & GovernanceEcclesiologyClergy & Holy Orders

Document Relationships

Amended by: Normas Nonnullas (2013)
Affected law: Apostolic See vacancy; Election of the Roman Pontiff

Related CatholicG33k Resources

Official Text

Universi Dominici Gregis

The official document text is hosted by the Holy See. CatholicG33k provides contextual and educational material but does not reproduce the complete Vatican text here.

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