The Conclave: A Remarkable History

The term conclave originates from the Latin cum clave, literally meaning "with the key," or "under lock and key" in modern English. It is an expression evoking the idea of ​​a lock, that is, a strict enclosure. Historically, the conclave refers to the assembly of cardinals, gathered in a space hermetically sealed off from the outside world, to elect the supreme pontiff.

This tradition, whose beginnings date back to the 13th century, has undergone profound transformations over time. Its original purpose was to preserve the purity of the ballot, shielding it from interference from political powers, popular pressure, or internal ecclesiastical intrigue.

To understand the roots of this institution, it is necessary to delve into the Middle Ages, which was a time when papal elections were still far from the orderly process we saw unfold in the Sistine Chapel on May 7, 2025. Upon the death of a pope, the cardinals, sometimes joined by other clerics or influential lay people, would gather to designate his successor.

These often tumultuous medieval assemblies were marked by bitter rivalries, political pressure, and, in some cases, acts of violence. The 11th century all too frequently saw emperors or monarchs impose their protégé as the candidate for the supreme pontificate.

A decisive milestone was reached in 1059 by Pope Nicholas II's decree In Nomine Domini, which entrusted the election of the pope exclusively to cardinal-bishops, although the Roman clergy and other cardinals retained a role. However, it was in the 13th century that the conclave, as we understand it today, began to take shape.

A significant episode occurred in 1268, after the death of Pope Clement IV. In Viterbo, Italy, the cardinals, unable to agree on a successor, prolonged their deliberations for three years.

Exasperated, the city's inhabitants locked the prelates in the episcopal palace, depriving them of food and even removing the roof of the building to hasten their decision. This event, often referred to as the "first conclave," marked a turning point. This "chaos of Viterbo" inspired a major reform.

In 1274, Pope Gregory X, whose status as pope the result of this laborious election, promulgated the apostolic constitution Ubi Periculum. This text established strict rules: cardinals must be cloistered in an enclosed space, their contact with the outside world reduced to a minimum, and their living conditions become more stringent if there is a delay in choosing a pope—after a few days, their diet is limited to bread and water. The objective is clear: to speed up the vote and prevent deadlocks. 

However, the prescriptions of Ubi Periculum were not always followed to the letter over the centuries. Cardinals, sometimes resourceful, managed to circumvent their isolation, while external influences persisted. Conclaves took place in complex political contexts, where European powers such as France, Spain, or the Holy Roman Empire strove to impose their favorite candidates.

Until the 18th century, some monarchies even had an unofficial veto, called exclusive, allowing them to remove a cardinal deemed unsuitable. The autonomy of the conclave gradually strengthened, driven by internal reforms within the Church and by the evolution of relations between the Church and states.

A key moment was the official abolition of the veto of the European powers, decreed at the beginning of the 20th century by Pope St. Pius X. The contemporary rules of the conclave, codified notably by John Paul II in Universi Dominici Gregis in 1996, have been described sufficiently by FSSPX.News to avoid repeating them here.

Today, the conclave is held in the Sistine Chapel, a place imbued with solemnity and symbolism. The use of the Sistine Chapel as the main venue for the conclave gradually became established starting in the 15th century, particularly after the papacy’s definitive return to Rome. Its first documented use dates back to 1492, for the election of Alexander VI. This choice is explained by its solemn character, its capacity to accommodate the cardinals in an enclosed space, and its proximity to the Apostolic Palace.