Papal conclave, 1585
Encyclopedia
The Papal conclave, 21 – 24 April, 1585 – papal conclave convoked after the death of Gregory XIII, elected Cardinal Felice Peretti Montalto, who under the name of Sixtus V became the 227th pope of the Roman Catholic Church
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Pope Gregory XIII died April 10, 1585. Cardinal Felice Peretti Montalto, O.F.M.Conv., was elected his successor on April 24, 1585 and took the name Sixtus V. Forty-two of the sixty cardinals participated in the conclave. The absence of thirty percent of the cardinalate makes this conclave one of the most sparsely attended in the history of the modern church. Fourteen of Gregory XIII's thirty cardinals failed to attend, a startlingly high number.
on April 21, Easter Sunday. At the opening ceremonies, out of sixty living cardinals thirty-nine were in attendance. Three more arrived later, in time to cast a vote: Andreas of Austria, Ludovico Madruzzo
of Trent, and Guido Luca Ferrero of Vercelli. Two factions quicly formed. The first was led by Cardinal Ferdinando de' Medici
and the second by Luigi d'Este
(grandson of King Louis XII of France). They were willing to combine to make a pope, but it depended on whether they could agree on a common candidate.
Early voting seemed to favour Cardinals Pier Donato Cesi
and Guglielmo Sirleto, but by the next morning they had been abandoned. Wanting to avoid the potential influence of cardinals who had not yet arrived, Medici then proposed two names to D' Este: those of Cardinals Albani and Montalto, and invited him to choose. D' Este imposed conditions, however, and the projected deal, when news got out, caused much indignation. Through a series of misdirections and strategems, Medici convinced the cardinals that Montalto was not his candidate.
Ludovico Cardinal Madruzzo, who was the designated leader of the Spanish faction, then arrived in Rome and had conversations with the Spanish and Imperial ambassadors before he entered conclave. Meeting immediately with d' Este, Madruccio learned of d' Este's dislike of his own favorite, Sirleto. Considering that a completely pro-Spanish pope would be as unpalatable as a completely pro-French one, he therefore declared himself to d'Este to be against Cardinal Albani, and thus in favor of Montalto. Altemps, Medici and Gesualdo then put pressure on Madruccio as well, and he was won over. As leader of the Spanish interest, he brought his own influence to bear on Andrew of Austria, Colonna, Deza (Seza), Gonzaga, Sfondrati and Spinola. With all of these adherents, Medici and d'Este still needed four votes. These could only be had in the group of Gregory XIII's cardinals organized by Alessandro Farnese
, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. During that night, Cardinal Ferrero arrived.
On the 24th of April Medici explained to Montalto all that had been done, and advised him as to how affairs should be conducted. D'Este met with Farnese, who believed that Montalto had no voting strength, and managed to further misdirect him. During a meeting in the Pauline Chapel
, d' Este recruited Guastavillani, the Cardinal Camerlengo; Giambattista Castagna, the Cardinal of San Marcello; and Francesco Sforza. When the cardinals finally assembled in the Sistine Chapel
, d' Este declared that it was not necessary to proceed to a ballot, since it was obvious who the new pope was. Without opposition the cardinals proceeded to do hommage ('adoration') to Felice Cardinal Peretti though, immediately afterwards, a vote was conducted by asking each cardinal to cast his vote aloud. The vote was unanimous. Cardinal François de Joyeuse arrived in Rome too late to participate in the Conclave.
The coronation of Sixtus V took place on May 1. As senior cardinal deacon Cardinal de' Medici placed the tiara on his head. On May 5, he took possession of the Lateran
.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
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Pope Gregory XIII died April 10, 1585. Cardinal Felice Peretti Montalto, O.F.M.Conv., was elected his successor on April 24, 1585 and took the name Sixtus V. Forty-two of the sixty cardinals participated in the conclave. The absence of thirty percent of the cardinalate makes this conclave one of the most sparsely attended in the history of the modern church. Fourteen of Gregory XIII's thirty cardinals failed to attend, a startlingly high number.
Proceedings
The conclave began in the VaticanApostolic Palace
The Apostolic Palace is the official residence of the Pope, which is located in Vatican City. It is also known as the Sacred Palace, the Papal Palace and the Palace of the Vatican...
on April 21, Easter Sunday. At the opening ceremonies, out of sixty living cardinals thirty-nine were in attendance. Three more arrived later, in time to cast a vote: Andreas of Austria, Ludovico Madruzzo
Ludovico Madruzzo
thumb|200px|Portrait of Ludovico Madruzzo by [[Giovanni Battista Moroni]].Art Institute, [[Chicago]].Ludovico Madruzzo was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal and statesman, the Imperial crown-cardinal and Prince-Bishop of the Bishopric of Trento .-Biography:Born in Trento, he was the son of baron...
of Trent, and Guido Luca Ferrero of Vercelli. Two factions quicly formed. The first was led by Cardinal Ferdinando de' Medici
Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany was Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1587 to 1609, having succeeded his older brother Francesco I.-Biography:...
and the second by Luigi d'Este
Luigi d'Este
Luigi d'Este was an Italian Catholic cardinal, the second of the five children of Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Modena and Ferrara, and Renée, daughter of Louis XII of France.-Biography:...
(grandson of King Louis XII of France). They were willing to combine to make a pope, but it depended on whether they could agree on a common candidate.
Pier Donato Cesi (1521-1586)
Pier Donato Cesi was an Italian Catholic Cardinal. He is sometimes referred to as Pier Donato Cesi, seniore to differentiate between him and his relative Pier Donato Cesi iuniore ....
and Guglielmo Sirleto, but by the next morning they had been abandoned. Wanting to avoid the potential influence of cardinals who had not yet arrived, Medici then proposed two names to D' Este: those of Cardinals Albani and Montalto, and invited him to choose. D' Este imposed conditions, however, and the projected deal, when news got out, caused much indignation. Through a series of misdirections and strategems, Medici convinced the cardinals that Montalto was not his candidate.
Ludovico Cardinal Madruzzo, who was the designated leader of the Spanish faction, then arrived in Rome and had conversations with the Spanish and Imperial ambassadors before he entered conclave. Meeting immediately with d' Este, Madruccio learned of d' Este's dislike of his own favorite, Sirleto. Considering that a completely pro-Spanish pope would be as unpalatable as a completely pro-French one, he therefore declared himself to d'Este to be against Cardinal Albani, and thus in favor of Montalto. Altemps, Medici and Gesualdo then put pressure on Madruccio as well, and he was won over. As leader of the Spanish interest, he brought his own influence to bear on Andrew of Austria, Colonna, Deza (Seza), Gonzaga, Sfondrati and Spinola. With all of these adherents, Medici and d'Este still needed four votes. These could only be had in the group of Gregory XIII's cardinals organized by Alessandro Farnese
Alessandro Farnese
Alessandro Farnese may refer to:*Pope Paul III *Alessandro Farnese , Paul's grandson*Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza , Paul's great-grandson...
, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. During that night, Cardinal Ferrero arrived.
On the 24th of April Medici explained to Montalto all that had been done, and advised him as to how affairs should be conducted. D'Este met with Farnese, who believed that Montalto had no voting strength, and managed to further misdirect him. During a meeting in the Pauline Chapel
Pauline Chapel
Pauline Chapel can refer to several different places:*Cappella Paolina in the Vatican*The Cappella Paolina in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore*The Cappella Paolina in the Quirinal Palace*Pauline Chapel ....
, d' Este recruited Guastavillani, the Cardinal Camerlengo; Giambattista Castagna, the Cardinal of San Marcello; and Francesco Sforza. When the cardinals finally assembled in the Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture and its decoration that was frescoed throughout by Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio...
, d' Este declared that it was not necessary to proceed to a ballot, since it was obvious who the new pope was. Without opposition the cardinals proceeded to do hommage ('adoration') to Felice Cardinal Peretti though, immediately afterwards, a vote was conducted by asking each cardinal to cast his vote aloud. The vote was unanimous. Cardinal François de Joyeuse arrived in Rome too late to participate in the Conclave.
The coronation of Sixtus V took place on May 1. As senior cardinal deacon Cardinal de' Medici placed the tiara on his head. On May 5, he took possession of the Lateran
Lateran
Lateran and Laterano are the shared names of several architectural projects throughout Rome. The properties were once owned by the Lateranus family of the former Roman Empire...
.
Participants
- Alessandro Farnese, Bishop of Ostia and Velletri, Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals
- Giacomo Savelli, Vicar of Rome, Bishop of Porto and Santa Rufina
- Giovanni Antonio SerbelloniGiovanni Antonio SerbelloniGiovanni Antonio Serbelloni was an Italian Cardinal, created in 1560, and papal legate. He was a cousin of Pope Pius IV, or nephew or uncle.He was bishop of Foligno in 1557 and bishop of Novara in 1560...
, Bishop of Frascati - Alfonso GesualdoAlfonso GesualdoAlfonso Gesualdo was an Italian Cardinal, from 1561. He was from Naples.He was archbishop of Conza in 1564, bishop of Albano in 1583, bishop of Frascati in 1587, bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina in 1589, bishop of Ostia in 1591, archbishop of Naples in 1596.He was a patron of Sant'Andrea della...
, Bishop of Albano - Gianfrancesco Gambara, Bishop of Palestrina
- Girolamo Simoncelli
- Markus Sitticus von Hohenems, Bishop of Constance
- Luigi d'EsteLuigi d'EsteLuigi d'Este was an Italian Catholic cardinal, the second of the five children of Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Modena and Ferrara, and Renée, daughter of Louis XII of France.-Biography:...
, Archbishop of Auch - Ludovico MadruzzoLudovico Madruzzothumb|200px|Portrait of Ludovico Madruzzo by [[Giovanni Battista Moroni]].Art Institute, [[Chicago]].Ludovico Madruzzo was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal and statesman, the Imperial crown-cardinal and Prince-Bishop of the Bishopric of Trento .-Biography:Born in Trento, he was the son of baron...
- Innico d'Avalos d' Aragona
- Ferdinando de' MediciFerdinando de' MediciFerdinando de' Medici may refer to various members of the Medici ruling family of Tuscany:* Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, , Grand Duke of Tuscany 1587–1609...
- Marco Antonio Colonna
- Tolomeo GallioTolomeo GallioTolomeo Gallio was an Italian Cardinal.In the time of Pope Gregory XIII, he acted as papal secretary of state , having a key role in the curia....
- Prospero Santacroce
- Guido Luca Ferrero
- Guglielmo Sirleto
- Gabriele PaleottiGabriele PaleottiGabriele Paleotti was an Italian Cardinal and Archbishop of Bologna.-Life:Paleotti was born at Bologna. Having acquired, in 1546, the title of Doctor of Civil and Canon Law, he was appointed to teach civil law. In 1549 he became a canon of the cathedral, but he did not become a priest until later...
, Archbishop of Bologna - Michele BonelliMichele BonelliCarlo Michele Bonelli, Cardinal Alessandrino was an Italian senior papal diplomat with a distinguished career that spanned two decades from 1571.-Biography:...
- Antonio CarafaAntonio CarafaAntoni Carafa was an Italian Roman Catholic Cardinal.-Early years:Antonio Carafa was born in Naples to Rinaldo I Carafello Carafa, a local patrician, and Giovanna of the signori of Montefalcone. He was a relative of Pope Paul IV through whose household he gained preferment in the Roman Curia.He...
- Giulio Antonio SantorioGiulio Antonio SantorioGiulio Antonio Santorio was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.Santorio was born in Caserta. He served as Archbishop of Santa Severina from 1566 until his death....
- Pier Donato CesiPier Donato Cesi (1521-1586)Pier Donato Cesi was an Italian Catholic Cardinal. He is sometimes referred to as Pier Donato Cesi, seniore to differentiate between him and his relative Pier Donato Cesi iuniore ....
- Charles d'Angennes de Rambouillet, Bishop of Le Mans
- Felice Peretti Montalto OFM (elected as Pope Sixtus VPope Sixtus VPope Sixtus V , born Felice Peretti di Montalto, was Pope from 1585 to 1590.-Early life:The chronicler Andrija Zmajević states that Felice's family originated from modern-day Montenegro...
) - Girolamo Rusticucci
- Nicolas de PellevéNicolas de PellevéNicolas de Pellevé was a French archbishop and Cardinal. He was a major figure of the Catholic League.He was a courtier of Henry II of France, and then of Cardinal Charles de Lorraine-Guise. He was bishop of Amiens in 1552, archbishop of Sens in 1562...
, Archbishop of Sens - Gian Girolamo Albani
- Filippo BoncompagniFilippo BoncompagniFilippo Boncompagni was an Italian Cardinal, created by Pope Gregory XIII on June 2, 1572.Born at Bologna, he served as superintendent general of the Papal States during his pontificate . He occupied several curial offices...
- Filippo Guastavillani, CamerlengoCamerlengoThe Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church The Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church (pl. Camerlenghi) The Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church (pl. Camerlenghi) (Italian for "Chamberlain", when referred to the Holy See; when referred to secular courts the word is "Ciambellano", pl...
- Andrea d'Austria, Bishop of Brixen
- Alessandro Riario, Titular Patriarch of AlexandriaPatriarch of AlexandriaThe Patriarch of Alexandria is the Archbishop of Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt. Historically, this office has included the designation of Pope , and did so earlier than that of the Bishop of Rome...
- Pedro de Deza
- Giovanni Vincenzo Gonzaga
- Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti de Nuce, Patriarch of JerusalemGreek Orthodox Patriarch of JerusalemThe Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem is the head bishop of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, ranking fourth of nine Patriarchs in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Since 2005, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem has been Theophilos III...
- Giambattista Castagna, Papal Legate to BolognaBolognaBologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
- Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici, Archbishop of Florence
- Giulio CananiGiulio CananiGiulio Canani was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.-Early life:Born in Ferrarato Luigi Canani and Lucrezia Brancaleone, he studied both canon and civil law in the University of Ferrara and he became cleric in Ferara...
, Bishop of Adria - Niccolò Sfondrati, Bishop of Cremona
- Antonmaria Salviati
- Filippo Spinola, Bishop of NolaBishop of NolaThe Diocese of Nola is a Roman Catholic diocese in Italy, with its seat in the ancient city Nola. The diocese is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Naples....
- Matthieu Cointerel,
- Scipione Lancelotti
- Francesco Sforza
Absent cardinals
The following cardinals did not participate in the conclave:- Niccolò Caetani.
- Georges d'ArmagnacGeorges d'ArmagnacGeorges d'Armagnac was a French humanist, patron of arts, Cardinal and diplomat deeply embroiled in the Italian Wars and in the French Wars of Religion.-Biography:...
, archbishop of Toulouse, France. - Charles II de Bourbon-Vendôme, archbishop of RouenArchbishop of RouenThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rouen is an Archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in France. As one of the fifteen Archbishops of France, the ecclesiastical province of the archdiocese comprises the majority of Normandy....
, France. - Antoine Perrenot de GranvelleAntoine Perrenot de GranvelleAntoine Perrenot de Granvelle , Comte de La Baume Saint Amour, was a Burgundian statesman, made a cardinal, who followed his father as a leading minister of the Spanish Habsburgs, and was one of the most influential European politicians during the time which immediately followed the appearance of...
, archbishop of Besançon, France, and bishop of Sabina. - Albrecht von Austria.
- Louis II de Guise, archbishop of ReimsArchbishop of ReimsThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Reims is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in France. Erected as a diocese around 250 by St. Sixtus, the diocese was elevated to an archdiocese around 750...
, France. - Charles II de Lorraine de Vaudémont, administrator of Toul, and Verdun, France.
- Gaspar de Quiroga y VelaGaspar de Quiroga y VelaGaspar de Quiroga y Vela was a prominent Catholic official who rose to become General Inquisitor of Spain, from 1573 to 1595, and Archbishop of Toledo from 1577 to 1595. He was named a Cardinal by Pope Gregory X in 1578...
, archbishop of Toledo, Spain. - Rodrigo de Castro OsorioRodrigo de Castro OsorioRodrigo de Castro Osorio, was Cardinal-Bishop of Zamora and Diocese of Cuenca , Archbishop of Seville, , a member of the Council of State of Spain and the Supreme Council of the Spanish Inquisition for the reign of Philip II of Spain. Great-uncle of Pedro Fernández de Castro y Andrade, Conde de...
, archbishop of Seville, Spain. - François de JoyeuseFrançois de JoyeuseFrançois de Joyeuse was a French churchman and politician.Born at Carcassonne, François de Joyeuse was the second son of Guillaume de Joyeuse and Marie Eléanor de Batarnay. As the younger son of a seigneur in an intensely religious family of bishops and soldiers, he was destined for a career in...
, archbishop of Narbonne, France. - Michele Della Torre, bishop of Ceneda.
- Agostino Valier, bishop of Verona.
- Vincenzo LauroVincenzo LauroVincenzo Lauro was an Italian papal diplomat, bishop of Mondovì, and Cardinal from 1583.He was born at Tropea. His career was forwarded by Cardinal Pier Paolo Parisio and Cardinal Nicola Gaddi. He became a diplomat while acting for Cardinal François de Tournon in 1552...
, bishop of Mondovi. - Alberto Bolognetti, bishop of Massa marittima.
- Jerzy RadziwillJerzy RadziwillJerzy Radziwiłł was a Lithuanian noble.He was Deputy Cup-Bearer of Lithuania from 1510, voivode of Kiev Voivodeship from 1510, Field Hetman of Lithuania in 1521, castellan of Trakai from 1522, castellan of Vilnius from 1527, Marshal of the Court from 1528, Grand Hetman of Lithuania from 1531,...
, bishop of Wilna, Lithuania. - Simeone Tagliavia d'Aragonia.
- Charles III de Bourbon de Vendôme, coadjutor archbishop of RouenArchbishop of RouenThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rouen is an Archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in France. As one of the fifteen Archbishops of France, the ecclesiastical province of the archdiocese comprises the majority of Normandy....
, France. - Andras Bathory, bishop of Ermland, Prussia.
Sources
- Ludwig von PastorLudwig von PastorLudwig Pastor, later Ludwig von Pastor, Freiherr von Campersfelden , was a German historian and a diplomat for Austria. He became one of the most important Roman Catholic historians of his time and is most notable for his History of the Popes...
, History of the Popes vol. XIX, London 1930 - Giuseppe de Novaes, Elementi della storia de' sommi pontefici da San Pietro sino al ... Pio Papa VII; third edition, Volume 8 (Roma 1822) 103-106.
- L. Ranke, The Ecclesiastical and Political History of the Popes of Rome during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Volume I (tr. S. Austin) (Philadelphia 1841)
- Giovanni Leti, Vita di Sisto Quinto, pontefice romano Volume II (Torino 1852) 40-86