Papal conclave, 1447
Encyclopedia
The papal conclave of March 4-6, 1447 elected Pope Nicholas V
to succeed Pope Eugene IV
in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva
.
. Of the twenty-four cardinals living, only eighteen were present in Rome for the conclave. The conclave, like its predecessor which had elected Eugene IV, was held in the Sacristy of the Dominican
monks of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, even though many members of the College of Cardinals
would have preferred to relocate to the Vatican.
Several Roman barons, most prominent among them Gio Baptista Savelli, insisted for a time on being able to vote in the conclave (although perhaps they only wished to remain present); the Savelli family had been granted the right to guard the conclave by Pope Gregory X
, but Gio Baptista wished for the first time to carry out this duty from inside the conclave; the barons were eventually expelled.
Prospero Colonna
, a cardinal-nephew
, the Protodeacon
of the Sacred College, was regarded as the leading papabile
at the start of the conclave. Colonna received 10 votes (two short of the requisite two-thirds majority) in the first scrutiny, on Sunday, March 5; 8 votes went to Domenico Capranica
, and there were five for Parentucelli (Bononiensis). The next day the adherents of Colonna continued to vote for him, while the other eight attempted to peel away votes (unsuccessfully) by switching their choice to others, including the non-cardinal archbishops of Benevento
and Florence
. Colonna had the support of the French cardinals and those who were impressed with the clout he carried with the various Italian city-states, but did not have the support of the Roman public (who would have preferred Niccolo d'Acciapaccio) due to Colonna's use of extrajudicial violence during his uncle's papacy. Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, who was one of the Custodians of the Conclave, and is a principal source for the event, says merely that on Monday morning, September 6, there was some talk about the Archbishops, and then the scrutiny took place. There seems to be no evidence that they actually received votes.
On March 6, after the first of the two daily scrutinies, during which Colonna again received 10 votes, Capranica addressed the conclave, reminding them of the various dangers facing the church, including the armies of the Alfonso, King of Aragon
, which were sailing towards Italy, the (now unopposed) reign of Antipope Felix V
, Duke of Savoy, as well as a certain "Count Francis"—imploring two more cardinal to throw their support to Colonna. According to Trollope, the cardinals term for Colonna as "mansuetto agnello" (mild as a lamb) would have been viewed as ironic, given that Colonna had carried off much of the papal treasure on the death of Martin V with the help of his noble relatives, and had for a time been excommunicated by Eugene IV prior to his disgorgement
.
Tommaso Parentucelli
rose following this speech, and Giovanni Berardi
(thinking that his colleague was about to give the election to Colonna) interrupted him and asked for a delay. At this point Ludovico Trevisan, angered at Berardi's blocking of Colonna asked whom Berardi wished to see elected instead. Berardi replied "Bononiensis" (Parentucelli). Parentucelli (misinterpreting, perhaps purposefully, his words) declared that he "too" was willing to give his vote to whoever the choice of Berardi was. "Then, I give my vote for you!" Berardi exclaimed, a move which Trevisan felt obliged to follow. One after another the cardinals threw their support to Parentucelli, with the eleventh vote coming from "Cardinal Marino", and the decisive twelfth vote coming from the "Cardinal of San Sisto".
Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V , born Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from March 6, 1447 to his death in 1455.-Biography:He was born at Sarzana, Liguria, where his father was a physician...
to succeed Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV , born Gabriele Condulmer, was pope from March 3, 1431, to his death.-Biography:He was born in Venice to a rich merchant family, a Correr on his mother's side. Condulmer entered the Order of Saint Augustine at the monastery of St. George in his native city...
in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
The Basilica of Saint Mary Above Minerva is a titular minor basilica and one of the most important churches of the Roman Catholic Dominican order in Rome, Italy. The church, located in the Piazza della Minerva in the Campus Martius region, is considered the only Gothic church in Rome. It houses...
.
Balloting
Eugene IV had died on February 23, 1447. The cardinals entered conclave at the time of Vespers (sunset) on March 4, after waiting the full nine days proscribed by Ubi periculumUbi periculum
Ubi periculum was a document promulgated by Pope Gregory X during the Second Council of Lyon in 1274 that established the papal conclave as the method of selection for a pope...
. Of the twenty-four cardinals living, only eighteen were present in Rome for the conclave. The conclave, like its predecessor which had elected Eugene IV, was held in the Sacristy of the Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
monks of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, even though many members of the College of Cardinals
College of Cardinals
The College of Cardinals is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church.A function of the college is to advise the pope about church matters when he summons them to an ordinary consistory. It also convenes on the death or abdication of a pope as a papal conclave to elect a successor...
would have preferred to relocate to the Vatican.
Several Roman barons, most prominent among them Gio Baptista Savelli, insisted for a time on being able to vote in the conclave (although perhaps they only wished to remain present); the Savelli family had been granted the right to guard the conclave by Pope Gregory X
Pope Gregory X
Pope Blessed Gregory X , born Tebaldo Visconti, was Pope from 1271 to 1276. He was elected by the papal election, 1268–1271, the longest papal election in the history of the Roman Catholic Church....
, but Gio Baptista wished for the first time to carry out this duty from inside the conclave; the barons were eventually expelled.
Prospero Colonna
Prospero Colonna (cardinal)
Prospero Colonna was a cardinal-nephew of Pope Martin V , whose election ended the Western Schism. Colonna was excommunicated for a period due to his rebellion against Martin V's successor, Pope Eugene IV, becoming one of the few excommunicated cardinals...
, a cardinal-nephew
Cardinal-nephew
A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to...
, the Protodeacon
Protodeacon
Protodeacon derives from the Greek proto- meaning 'first' and diakonos, which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiting-man," "minister" or "messenger." The word in English may refer to various clergymen, depending upon the usage of the particular church in question.-Eastern...
of the Sacred College, was regarded as the leading papabile
Papabile
Papabile is an unofficial Italian term first coined by Vaticanologists and now used internationally in many languages to describe a cardinal of whom it is thought likely or possible that he will be elected pope. A literal English translation would be "popeable" or "one who might become pope".In...
at the start of the conclave. Colonna received 10 votes (two short of the requisite two-thirds majority) in the first scrutiny, on Sunday, March 5; 8 votes went to Domenico Capranica
Domenico Capranica
Domenico Capranica was an Italian theologian, canonist, statesman, and Cardinal.He was born in Capranica Prenestina. After studies in canon and civil law at Padua and Bologna, under teachers probably including Giuliano Cesarini, he received the title of Doctor of Both Laws at the age of twenty-one...
, and there were five for Parentucelli (Bononiensis). The next day the adherents of Colonna continued to vote for him, while the other eight attempted to peel away votes (unsuccessfully) by switching their choice to others, including the non-cardinal archbishops of Benevento
Benevento
Benevento is a town and comune of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 50 km northeast of Naples. It is situated on a hill 130 m above sea-level at the confluence of the Calore Irpino and Sabato...
and Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
. Colonna had the support of the French cardinals and those who were impressed with the clout he carried with the various Italian city-states, but did not have the support of the Roman public (who would have preferred Niccolo d'Acciapaccio) due to Colonna's use of extrajudicial violence during his uncle's papacy. Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, who was one of the Custodians of the Conclave, and is a principal source for the event, says merely that on Monday morning, September 6, there was some talk about the Archbishops, and then the scrutiny took place. There seems to be no evidence that they actually received votes.
On March 6, after the first of the two daily scrutinies, during which Colonna again received 10 votes, Capranica addressed the conclave, reminding them of the various dangers facing the church, including the armies of the Alfonso, King of Aragon
Alfonso V of Aragon
Alfonso the Magnanimous KG was the King of Aragon , Valencia , Majorca, Sardinia and Corsica , and Sicily and Count of Barcelona from 1416 and King of Naples from 1442 until his death...
, which were sailing towards Italy, the (now unopposed) reign of Antipope Felix V
Antipope Felix V
-External links:*...
, Duke of Savoy, as well as a certain "Count Francis"—imploring two more cardinal to throw their support to Colonna. According to Trollope, the cardinals term for Colonna as "mansuetto agnello" (mild as a lamb) would have been viewed as ironic, given that Colonna had carried off much of the papal treasure on the death of Martin V with the help of his noble relatives, and had for a time been excommunicated by Eugene IV prior to his disgorgement
Disgorgement (law)
Disgorgement is the forced giving up of profits obtained by illegal or unethical acts. A court may order wrongdoers to pay back illegal profits, with interest, to prevent unjust enrichment...
.
Tommaso Parentucelli
Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V , born Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from March 6, 1447 to his death in 1455.-Biography:He was born at Sarzana, Liguria, where his father was a physician...
rose following this speech, and Giovanni Berardi
Giovanni Berardi
Giovanni Berardi , Italian Cardinal, of the counts of Tagliacozzo, was elected Archbishop of Taranto in 1421, and occupied the see until December 1439, when Pope Eugenius IV raised him to the cardinalate...
(thinking that his colleague was about to give the election to Colonna) interrupted him and asked for a delay. At this point Ludovico Trevisan, angered at Berardi's blocking of Colonna asked whom Berardi wished to see elected instead. Berardi replied "Bononiensis" (Parentucelli). Parentucelli (misinterpreting, perhaps purposefully, his words) declared that he "too" was willing to give his vote to whoever the choice of Berardi was. "Then, I give my vote for you!" Berardi exclaimed, a move which Trevisan felt obliged to follow. One after another the cardinals threw their support to Parentucelli, with the eleventh vote coming from "Cardinal Marino", and the decisive twelfth vote coming from the "Cardinal of San Sisto".
Electors
The eighteen electors were:- Giovanni BerardiGiovanni BerardiGiovanni Berardi , Italian Cardinal, of the counts of Tagliacozzo, was elected Archbishop of Taranto in 1421, and occupied the see until December 1439, when Pope Eugenius IV raised him to the cardinalate...
(created on 18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina; commendatario of SS. Nereo ed Achilleo; Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals; grand penitentiary
- Francesco CondulmerFrancesco CondulmerFrancesco Condulmer was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.He was made cardinal on 19 September 1431 by his uncle, Pope Eugenius IV, and accumulated many offices and dignities. He was Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church , administrator of Narbonne and Amiens...
(19 September 1431) - Cardinal-Bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina; Subdean of the Sacred College of Cardinals; Vice-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church; bishop of Verona; Latin Patriarch of ConstantinopleLatin Patriarch of ConstantinopleThe Latin Patriarch of Constantinople was an office established as a result of Crusader activity in the Near East. The title should not be confused with that of the Patriarch of Constantinople, an office which existed before and after....
- Domenico CapranicaDomenico CapranicaDomenico Capranica was an Italian theologian, canonist, statesman, and Cardinal.He was born in Capranica Prenestina. After studies in canon and civil law at Padua and Bologna, under teachers probably including Giuliano Cesarini, he received the title of Doctor of Both Laws at the age of twenty-one...
(23 July 1423) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Croce in Gerusalemme; commendatario of S. Maria in Via Lata; administrator of the see of Fermo; Cardinal-protector of the Teutonic Order
- Niccolo d'Acciapaccio (18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Marcello; archbishop of Capua
- Giorgio FieschiGiorgio FieschiGiorgio Fieschi was an Italian cardinal, of the counts of Lavagna.He was elected bishop of Mariana, in Corsica, on May 27, 1433...
(18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Anastasia; commendatario of the see of Noli; Camerlengo of the Sacred College of CardinalsCamerlengo of the Sacred College of CardinalsThe Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals was the treasurer of that body.He administered all property, fees, funds and revenue belonging to the College of Cardinals, celebrated the requiem Mass for a deceased cardinal and was charged with the registry of the Acta Consistoralia.It is...
- Bessarion (18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of SS. XII Apostoli; titular archbishop of Nicea and Tebe
- António Martinez de Chaves (18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Crisogono; bishop of PortoRoman Catholic Diocese of Porto, PortugalThe Portuguese Roman Catholic diocese of Porto is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Braga. Its see at Porto is in the Norte region, and the second largest city in Portugal.- History :...
; commendatario of the see of Giovinazzo; archpriest of the Lateran Basilica
- Jean Le Jeune (18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Prassede; bishop of Thérouanne
- Guillaume d'Estouteville, O.S.B.Cluny (18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of SS. Silvestro e Martino ai Monti; bishop of Angers; administrator of the sees of NîmesNîmesNîmes is the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire, and is a popular tourist destination.-History:...
and BéziersBéziersBéziers is a town in Languedoc in southern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the Hérault department. Béziers hosts the famous Feria de Béziers, centred around bullfighting, every August. A million visitors are attracted to the five-day event...
; archpriest of the Liberian Basilica
- Juan de TorquemadaJuan de TorquemadaJuan de Torquemada may refer to:* Juan de Torquemada , Spanish cardinal and ecclesiastical author; uncle to Inquisitor, Tomás de Torquemada...
, O.P. (18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Trastevere
- Ludovico Trevisan (1 July 1440) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Lorenzo in Damaso; Patriarch of AquileiaPatriarch of AquileiaThe Patriarch of Aquileia was an office in the Roman Catholic Church. During the Middle Ages the Patriarchate of Aquileia was a temporal state in Northern Italy. The Patriarchate of Aquileia as a church office was suppressed in 1752....
; Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church; bishop of Cava
- Alonso de BorjaPope Callixtus IIIPope Callixtus III , né Alfons de Borja, was Pope from April 8, 1455 to his death in 1458.-Biography:...
(2 May 1444) — Cardinal-Priest of SS. IV Coronati; bishop of Valencia
- Enrico Rampini (16 December 1446) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Clemente; archbishop of Milan
- Tommaso ParentucelliPope Nicholas VPope Nicholas V , born Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from March 6, 1447 to his death in 1455.-Biography:He was born at Sarzana, Liguria, where his father was a physician...
(16 December 1446) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Susanna; bishop of Bologna
- Juan CarvajalJuan CarvajalJuan Carvajal was a Spanish Cardinal.-Life and work:Making much progress in canon law and civil law, by 1440 he had attained distinction at Rome as auditor of the Rota and governor of the City...
(16 December 1446) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Angelo in Pescheria; bishop of Plasencia
- Giovanni de Primis, O.S.B.Cas. (16 December 1446) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Sabina; commendatario of the see of Catania
- Prospero ColonnaProspero Colonna (cardinal)Prospero Colonna was a cardinal-nephew of Pope Martin V , whose election ended the Western Schism. Colonna was excommunicated for a period due to his rebellion against Martin V's successor, Pope Eugene IV, becoming one of the few excommunicated cardinals...
(24 May 1426) — Cardinal-Deacon of S. Giorgio in Velabro; ProtodeaconProtodeaconProtodeacon derives from the Greek proto- meaning 'first' and diakonos, which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiting-man," "minister" or "messenger." The word in English may refer to various clergymen, depending upon the usage of the particular church in question.-Eastern...
- Pietro BarboPope Paul IIPope Paul II , born Pietro Barbo, was pope from 1464 until his death in 1471.- Early life :He was born in Venice, and was a nephew of Pope Eugene IV , through his mother. His adoption of the spiritual career, after having been trained as a merchant, was prompted by his uncle's election as pope...
(1 July 1440) — Cardinal-Deacon of S. Maria Nuova; administrator of the see of Cervia; archpriest of the Vatican Basilica
Absentees
- Pierre de Foix, O.F.M. (September 1414) — Cardinal-Bishop of Albano; legate in AvignonAvignonAvignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
; administrator of the sees of LescarLescarLescar is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.Lescar is the site of the Roman city known variously as Benearnum, Beneharnum or Civitas Benarnensium. This was the original capital, and origin of the name, of the ancient province of Béarn.In 841, Benearnum was...
and CommingesCommingesThe Comminges is an ancient region of southern France in the foothills of the Pyrenees, corresponding closely to the arrondissement of Saint-Gaudens in the department of Haute-Garonne...
- Henry Beaufort (24 May 1426) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Eusebio; ProtopriestProtopriestProtopriest — in the College of Cardinals, is the first Cardinal-Priest in the order of precedence. This title is always attached to the most senior Cardinal Priest according to date of his creation. From the 17th century until the end of 19th century Protopriest usually opted for the titulus San...
; administrator of the see of Winchester
- Juan CervantesJuan CervantesJuan Cervantes was one of The Catholic Church’s cardinals. He was archdeacon of Sevilla.He was chosen as a cardinal by Pope Martin V in May 1426.-External links:*...
(24 May 1426) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Pietro in Vincoli; administrator of the see of Segovia; papal legate in Lombardy
- John KempJohn KempJohn Kemp was a medieval English cardinal, archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor of England.-Biography:Kemp was son of Thomas Kempe, a gentleman of Ollantigh, in the parish of Wye near Ashford, Kent...
(18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Balbina; archbishop of YorkArchbishop of YorkThe Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
- Isidore of KievIsidore of KievIsidore of Kiev, also known as Isidore of Thessalonica was a Greek Metropolitan of Kiev, cardinal, humanist, and theologian. He was one of the chief Eastern defenders of reunion at the time of the Council of Florence.-Early life:...
(18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of SS. Marcellino e Pietro; titular archbishop of Kiev
- Zbigniew OleśnickiZbigniew OlesnickiZbigniew Oleśnicki may refer to:* Zbigniew Oleśnicki * Zbigniew Oleśnicki , nephew of cardinal...
(18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Prisca; bishop of Kraków
- Petrus von Schaumberg (18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Vitale; bishop of AugsburgBishop of AugsburgThe Bishop of Augsburg is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Augsburg in the Ecclesiastical province of München und Freising.The diocese covers an area of 13,250 km².The current bishop is Konrad Zdarsa who was appointed in 2010....
- Dénes Szécsi (18 December 1439) — Cardinal-Priest of S. Ciriaco; archbishop of Esztergom