Conclave: since 1378 the Pope has always been a cardinal, but it is enough to be Catholic and celibate
Urban VI was the last Pontiff elected without being a cardinal: the affair triggered the process that led to the Western Schism
2' min read
Key points
2' min read
In the Catholic Church by tradition, it is one of the cardinal 'electors' belonging to the Conclave - since the reform of Paul VI under the age of 80 - who is elected, but, history teaches, even a layman can be elected. So it was with the ascent to the papal throne of Leo VIII, a layman known for his moral qualities who, elected on 4 December 963, was ordained priest on 5 December and consecrated bishop the next day. In fact, however, since 1389 the College of Cardinals has always elected the new Pope from among its members. Urban VI was in fact the last pope elected without being a cardinal in 1378, an event that triggered the process that led to the Western Schism.
The Rules in the Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis
So it is reiterated: the Pope does not necessarily have to be a cardinal if Article 88 of the Apostolic Constitution 'Universi Dominici Grecis' still states: 'After acceptance, the person elected who has already received episcopal ordination is immediately Bishop of the Roman Church (...). If, on the other hand, he lacks the episcopal character, he shall be ordained Bishop". "Successor", "Elect", "the one who is to lead the flock of Christ" - we read - but nowhere in the Apostolic Constitution is it stipulated that the future Pope must be one of the Cardinal electors.
Voting in isolation
.The decision to isolate the vote was only established in 1274 by the Council of Lyons II, with the Apostolic Constitution 'Ubi Periculum' by Pope Gregory X, to prevent the delays, attempts at external influence and corruptions that had occurred in several cases. It was the consequence of a striking event that occurred after the death of Pope Clement IV in 1268 when the city of Viterbo was the seat of papal election from 1268 to 1271. In fact, the 19 assembled cardinals were unable to elect a pope, and after 19 months of sede vacante, the city literally locked the cardinals in the papal palace, leaving them on bread and water and uncovering part of the roof. Despite the restrictions, which were later reduced, it took the cardinals a full 1,006 days to elect Gregory X.
