A papal conclave is a gathering of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a bishop of Rome, also known as the pope. Catholics consider the pope to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and the earthly head of the Catholic Church.

Oct 25, 2024 · The Conclave, which consists of about 120 electors, is the gathering of cardinals for the purpose of selecting a new pope. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote. The Conclave takes place in the strictest isolation so as to avoid the possibility of any external influences or interference.

All but five papal conclaves since 1455 have been held in the Apostolic Palace. The 1799–1800 papal conclave was held in San Giorgio Monastery in Venice, the last papal election site outside of Rome.

Jan 15, 2025 · Papal conclave is the assembly of cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church to elect a new pope and the system of strict seclusion to which they submit. The term comes from the Latin term cum clave, which means ‘with a key.’

Conclaves serve an essential function in the Catholic Church, ensuring a seamless transition of papal authority. Grounded in both tradition and scripture, they embody the Church’s commitment to collective discernment under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Mar 11, 2013 · Within a few years, he had established the conclave, a closed-door summit to be convened upon his death at which the cardinals would be locked up together until they elected …

Sep 2, 2024 · What is a Papal Conclave? After a pope’s death or resignation (also known as a papal vacancy), the operation and governance over the Catholic Church passes over to the …

Jan 15, 2025 · Papal conclave - Election, Procedure, Cardinals: Upon the termination of a pope’s reign, the cardinal camerlengo, the personal representative of the Sacred College of Cardinals in the administration of the church, takes up residence in the Vatican Palace.

Mar 12, 2013 · Though the rules for appointing a new pope have changed over the centuries, John Paul II updated them significantly on Feb. 22, 1996 with the release of “Universi Dominici Gregis” (UDG), which ...

The word conclave is from Latin. It refers to the fact that the cardinals are locked up together, until they have agreed on a new pope. Today, this happens in the Sistine Chapel. Originally, the conclave was started in Italian city states, in the 12th century.