A conclave (from Latin conclave, meaning "a locked room," from con- "with, together" and clavis "key") refers primarily to the assembly of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a new Pope. It also denotes the secret meeting place where this election takes place, traditionally the Sistine Chapel within the Vatican Palace. More broadly, the term can refer to any private or secret meeting of individuals, often for a specific purpose or decision-making process, where participants are secluded.
Etymology and Origin
The term's etymological roots in "a locked room" directly reflect the historical practice of locking electors away to prevent external interference and to expedite the election process. The formal procedure for a Papal Conclave was established largely in response to prolonged Papal vacancies (sede vacante) that occurred during the Middle Ages. Notably, the election of Pope Gregory X in Viterbo in 1268-1271 lasted nearly three years. To prevent such lengthy delays, Gregory X, upon his election, issued the constitution Ubi periculum in 1274, which mandated strict isolation and progressively reduced rations for cardinals until an election was made. While temporarily suspended, the rules of Ubi periculum were largely reinstated and became the foundation for modern conclaves.
The Papal Conclave
The Papal Conclave is the most prominent and specific usage of the term. It is a highly formalized and secretive process governing the election of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), who is the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the sovereign of Vatican City State.
Procedure and Regulations
Current regulations for the Papal Conclave are primarily governed by Pope John Paul II's 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, with some modifications made by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
- Eligibility: Only cardinals who have not yet reached their 80th birthday by the day the Papal See becomes vacant (sede vacante) are eligible to vote. The maximum number of cardinal electors is generally set at 120, though Popes have sometimes exceeded this number.
- Timing: The Conclave must begin no sooner than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the Pope's death or resignation, allowing time for all eligible cardinal electors to assemble in Rome.
- Location: The election takes place in the Sistine Chapel. Cardinals are typically housed in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a Vatican guesthouse, and are transported to and from the chapel in sealed conditions.
- Secrecy: Utmost secrecy is enforced throughout the conclave. Cardinals take an oath of secrecy, pledging not to reveal any information about the proceedings, voting, or discussions. All forms of external communication are strictly forbidden, including telephones, radios, televisions, and internet access. Measures are taken to sweep the Sistine Chapel for listening devices, and electronic jamming devices are sometimes used.
- Voting Process:
- After a solemn Mass and procession, the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel. Once the doors are locked ("extra omnes," meaning "all out"), the Conclave officially begins.
- Voting occurs in four rounds per day (two in the morning, two in the afternoon) after the first day, which typically has only one or two votes.
- Each cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a ballot paper, which is then folded, placed in a chalice, and counted.
- A two-thirds majority of the votes cast is required for a cardinal to be elected Pope. If no candidate reaches this majority after a certain number of ballots (currently 34 ballots over roughly 7-8 days), the cardinal electors may decide to proceed with a run-off election between the two candidates who received the most votes in the previous ballot, still requiring a two-thirds majority.
- Smoke Signals: After each voting session, the ballot papers are burned in a special stove connected to a chimney visible from St. Peter's Square.
- Black smoke (created by adding a chemical agent to the ballots) indicates that a Pope has not yet been elected.
- White smoke (produced with another chemical agent, typically accompanied by the ringing of St. Peter's bells) signals that a new Pope has been successfully elected.
- Acceptance and Announcement: Once a candidate achieves the required majority, the Dean of the College of Cardinals formally asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he is asked by what name he wishes to be called (his pontifical name). Following this, he is immediately vested in papal robes. Shortly thereafter, the Senior Cardinal Deacon announces the election to the world from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica with the Latin phrase "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a Pope!"), followed by the name of the new Pope and his chosen pontifical name. The new Pope then imparts his first Urbi et Orbi ("to the City and to the World") blessing.
Other Usages
Beyond its specific ecclesiastical context, "conclave" is also used to describe:
- Any secret or private meeting: This general sense refers to a closed-door gathering, often of influential persons, for deliberation or decision-making, where the proceedings are kept confidential.
- A secluded place: Historically, it could refer simply to a private room or chamber, emphasizing its isolation.
In modern usage, the term often carries a connotation of exclusivity and intense, focused deliberation away from public scrutiny.