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The passing of Pope Francis signifies the impending commencement of a crucial phase for the Roman Catholic Church: the election of a new pope. This intriguing yet secretive event, known as the “conclave,” has historically garnered much speculation regarding the identity of the next leader of the church, which is home to approximately 1.4 billion followers globally.
As the doors of the Sistine Chapel close, the question arises: what transpires within as the church’s highest-ranking officials convene to determine the next Bishop of Rome? While contemporary audiences are accustomed to instant information access, the conclave’s ancient customs reflect a time-honored ritual steeped in secrecy. Historically, papal elections were not always conducted in such stealth. After a prolonged period of vacancy in the 13th century, the church adopted specific protocols designed to secure the election’s integrity and reduce external influences on the proceedings.
In today’s connected world, the conclave’s isolated deliberation feels like an echo of an earlier period. Understanding the origins of the term “conclave” offers insight into its evolution.
The Origin of the Term
The term “conclave” stems from Latin, translating to a locked room, typically used for safeguarding valuables or confining individuals. According to Anthony Lo Bello in his work Origins of Catholic Words: A Discursive Dictionary, this term combines two roots: cum, which means ‘with’, and clavis, meaning ‘key’.
Its usage predates Christianity, featured in the writings of Roman figures like Cicero and Horace. The phrase only began to regularly describe papal elections during the Middle Ages, specifically after a significant papal vacancy that lasted almost three years. In response, Pope Gregory X instituted regulations under the papal bull Ubi periculum, mandating that cardinals participate in secretive gatherings to select the pope’s successor.
Following this decree, the cardinal electors were confined to meet privately, allowed only a limited number of servants who delivered sustenance through a small window. Should they fail to elect a new pope within eight days, their provisions would be drastically reduced to only bread, water, and wine.
These sequestered conditions were vital for several reasons. Miles Pattenden, an expert in Catholic history, explains that the religious believer’s notion posits that the Holy Spirit guides the cardinals’ insights during their deliberation. Thus, maintaining their separation from external influences was essential to ensure the sanctity of the decision-making process.
The enclosure also aimed to ensure a timely conclusion to the election, particularly remembering the lengthy intervals of indecision in earlier papal vacancies. A historic anecdote recalls how locals in Viterbo, Italy, frustrated by the drawn-out process, removed the roof of the palace where the cardinals convened to expedite their decision-making.
Evolution of the Conclave Process
Over centuries, the concept of a conclave has transformed significantly. The regulations established by Pope Gregory X weren’t always strictly upheld, leading to adjustments or circumventions. For instance, at the 1351 conclave, electors were granted two attendants each and enjoyed a lavish three-course service.
Moreover, the seclusion of the conclave presented hygiene challenges. Pattenden’s research into 16th- and 17th-century conclaves reveals accounts of unsanitary conditions, illness, and discomfort among the senior cardinal electors who often were in declining health. This led to Pope John Paul II’s decision in 1996 to relocate cardinal electors to the more comfortable Domus Sanctae Marthae, a guesthouse built to accommodate them during the election process.
The Significance of Secrecy Today
Despite advancements in society, the conclave remains cloaked in secrecy. Cardinal electors participating in the upcoming conclave will take oaths of confidentiality, with the doors of the Sistine Chapel locked and the Swiss Guard tasked with monitoring access.
This veil of secrecy feeds public intrigue, often echoed in cultural works such as the film Conclave, which explores the complexities and profound implications surrounding papal elections.
While modernity has opened doors to many aspects of life, the mysteries surrounding the papal conclave persist. As noted by Gregg Gassman, a librarian and host of the Pontifacts podcast, the allure of the conclave stems from its secretive nature. Historical precedents suggest that the sole signal emerging from the conclave following Pope Francis’ death will be the smoke from the chimney—black for failure to elect a successor, white should a new pope be chosen.
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