Papal election

• The right of the laity to refuse the person elected was abolished by a Synod held in the Lateran in 769, but restored to Roman noblemen by Pope Nicholas I during a Synod of Rome in 862.
• 1059, the College of Cardinals was designated the sole body of electors.
• Conclave refers to the fact that the Cardinals are locked into a building with "with a key" (cum clave) until they elect a new Pope. The rule dates from 1274 and was prompted by the Cardinals refusing to agree on a pope between 1268-1271.
• 1970, electors limited to cardinals under 80 years of age.
• 1996, John Paul II, apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.
• Two-thirds plus one supermajority required for the first 30 ballots. After that, the Cardinals may decide to elect the pope by a simple majority.

Links

• Wikipedia, "Papal conclave."