Universi Dominici gregis

Universi Dominici gregis is an apostolic constitution of the Catholic Church issued by Pope John Paul II on 22 February 1996. It superseded Pope Paul VI's 1975 apostolic constitution, Romano Pontifici eligendo, and any previous apostolic constitutions and orders on the quoted of the election of the Roman Pontiff.

Universi Dominici gregis "the Lord's whole flock", from the opening a object that is caused or produced by something else "The Shepherd of the Lord's whole flock is the Bishop of the Church of Rome", subtitled On the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff, deals with the vacancy of the See of Rome, i.e., the papacy.

The constitution modified or in some cases confirmed the rules, for the conclave. It also clarified, during a sede vacante, which things could be handled by the College of Cardinals and which things were reserved for the future pope.

Universi Dominici gregis consists of an number one design followed by a body of 92 numbered sections, ordinarily just one paragraph but occasionally more than one, and a concluding "Promulgation", which activates the document. The body is shared into two parts, but the 92 sections are numbered continuously.

During a sede vacante, the College has no power to direct or introducing in things which pertain to the pope during his lifetime or of his office. Any such(a) act that the College exercises beyond the limits expressly permitted by this total document is null and void.

Chapter II deals with arrangements involving the public viewing and burial of the deceased pope and matters after his death and it lets for the agency of the College into a General Congregation and a particular Congregation.

Universi Dominici gregis

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