In addition to the 1770 print featured in this display, Special Collections has four other broadsheets depicting the procedures and rituals of conclaves:

Nuova et esatta pianta del Conclave con le funtioni e cerimonie per l’eletione del nuovo Pontefice fatto in Sede vacante di Papa Innocentio 12 che sede Anni 9 Mesi 2 giorni 15 . . . a de 9 Ottobre 1700. [N.p.: n.p., n.d.]. [Conclave of Clement XI]

Der Grund-Riß des Conclave und die Beschreibung aller Solennitaeten: welche in Rom nach Absterben eines Pabstes, und beÿ der Erwehlung seines Nachfolgers vorzugehen pflegen. [Nuremberg, Christoph Weigel the Elder, c.1720]. [General depiction of a conclave]

Nuova et esatta pianta del Conclave con le funtioni che si fanno per la morte del Pontefice e per l‘eletione del nuovo fatto nella Sede Vacante di Papa Clemente XIII che Sede Anni 10 e mesi 6 giorni 27 del Suo Pontificato; entrerano li Emi Cardinali i 15 Febraro del 1769 in Conclave. [Rome], Westerhout, [1769]. [Conclave of Clement XIV]

Nova pianta del conclave fatta in sede vacante di Papa Clemente XIV per l’elettione del novo pontefice . . . Ottobre 1774. Rome, Giovanni Bettamini, 1774. [Conclave of Pius VI]

The originals can be viewed in Special Collections. Images of these and more information about conclaves, including suggested readings, are on the Western European History at Notre Dame website: http://blogs.nd.edu/western-european-history-at-und/conclaves/ Please direct inquiries to: Julie Tanaka Rare Books and Special Collections Western European History Librarian 102 Hesburgh Library Curator, Special Collections 574-631-0290 jtanaka1@nd.edu Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 574-631-7845 Saturday-Sunday Closed

lecting

a pope

A conclave is both the meeting of the College of Cardinals to elect a pope after a pope has either died or resigned and the room itself. Its name derives from the Latin words, cum- and clave, “with a key,” and points back to the elections of Innocent IV (r. 1243-54) and Gregory X (r. 1272-76) when the people locked the Cardinals in a room because they were taking too long to elect a new pope—a year-and-a-half in the first case, three-and-a-half in the latter. To prevent such actions from happening again, Gregory X established the conclave for papal elections.

E

History The conclave responded to the Church contending with the increasingly long period, called an interregnum, between a pope’s death or resignation and the election of his successor. Many interregnums were plagued by strife and abuses of authority. It was not uncommon for Cardinals to reap financial benefits and exert power while there was no pope. To counter these abuses and provide for the timely election of a new pope, Gregory X promulgated Ubi periculum, which set forth election procedures. His regulations did not eliminate untimely elections, but they became the basic guidelines that are still embodied in modern electoral procedures. These procedures have been adjusted minimally over the centuries. Additional regulations were added between the reigns of Pius X (r. 1903-14) and Paul VI (r. 1963-78). On 22 February 1996, John Paul II (r. 1978-2005) promulgated the apostolic constitution, Universi dominici gregis, that affirmed certain aspects of the conclave but reformed parts to fit historical circumstances. His successor, Benedict XVI (r. 2005-2013), promulgated minor changes to Universi dominici gregis in 2007 and 2013, but the regulations governing current elections are essentially those set forth by John Paul II. The Conclave The conclave to elect a new pope takes place in the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. It may not begin until fifteen full days after the Apostolic See officially became vacant unless it is clear that all of the Cardinal electors are present. The conclave, however, must begin no more than twenty days after the See became vacant. All members of the College of Cardinals under 80 years of age when the See became vacant are Cardinal electors. For the duration of the conclave, they are housed in the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. They and those retained to care for the personal and official needs associated with the conclave swear an oath to observe absolute secrecy. Once the conclave begins, the Cardinal electors are secluded in the Sistine Chapel. They vote once in the afternoon on the first day. Beginning the next day, they vote twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. Balloting continues until two thirds of the Cardinal electors select the same person. The Cardinal Dean then asks the person elected if he consents to his election as Supreme Pontiff. Upon consent, the conclave ends. The Cardinal Dean asks the elected person by what name he wishes to be called, and the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations draws up the document certifying the pope’s new name. *See “Conclaves” on the Western European History at Notre Dame website for works referenced in the writing of this handout. URL on reverse.

Nuova et esatta pianta del Conclave con le funtioni e ceremonie per l'Elettione del nuovo Pontefice fatto nella sede vacante di Papa Innocentio. XII. che sedé anni. IX. mesi. II. giorni XV. nel quale entrorno l'eminentissimi Signori cardinali adi IX di Ottobre MDCC. Rome: Domenico de Rossi, 1700. [Conclave of Clement XI] This broadsheet, printed by Domenico de Rossi in 1700, depicts the conclave held to elect a new pope after the death of Innocent XII (r. 1691-1700). The cartouche (upper left) contains a dedication to Cardinal de Medici. The frame in the bottom left states that Innocent XII has died, leaving the seat vacant, and that the images depict the ceremonies and rituals conducted while electing a new pope. The central image displays St. Peter’s Basilica and the floorplan showing 66 conclave cells for the electors. The three images in the upper right depict the procession through Rome to the conclave with the Cardinal Camerlengo accompanied by the Swiss Guards; the procession of the deceased pope from the Quirinal Palace to the Sistine Chapel; and the body lying in state. Surrounding the main frame on the far left and right, are 14 scenes related to the conclave. Among these are the first meeting of the General Congregation after the pope’s death, the entry of the College of Cardinals into the conclave to elect a new pope, the delivery of food to the Cardinal electors through small rotating doors, the Cardinal electors voting, and the new pope being transported to St. Peter’s Basilica. The central frame at the bottom lists the names of 66 Cardinal electors.