Papal Elections

Cue (NZERS), 1 June 1944, Page 13

Papal Elections

At this. stage a passing reference to the election of the Popes is not out of place. Originally the people of Rome played a part in the choosing of their Bishop, but the voting-was subsequently limited to the clergy. There were occasions in which the position of the powerful nobles ' and • the Roman mob placed the elections under -a certain constraint. Finally, in 1179, it was decided that the election should be determined by the' College of Cardinals, who were simply the senior clergy of the Diocese of Rome. The College, as at Viterbo, in 1272; sometimes took a long time in arriving at a decision. The populace angrily surrounded the Palace, locked in the Cardinals and tore off the roof. The Cardinals, obtained the protection of tents,

but finally the reduction of their food and supplies hastened the decision. The chosen one drew up -new rules of procedure. From this incident it is said, arises the term Conclave and the practice of shutting in the .Sacred College during the Papal election. One other reference for the period. On the return of the Papal Court from Avignon there was a majority of French Cardinals in the College, and in :• fear of . another French Pope, popular feeling was once again expressed. The Roman mob surrounded the Sacred College enclosed for their election, shouting .’’Death, or an Italian Pope.” . They elected as Urban VI, the then Archbishop of Bari. .