Conclave capitulation

<p>A conclave capitulation was a compact or unilateral contract drawn up by the <a href="/facts/College_of_Cardinals/cqmS8R72">College of Cardinals</a> during a <a href="/facts/Papal_conclave/JDth342D">papal conclave</a> to constrain the actions of the <a href="/facts/Pope/9zVokNjn">pope</a> elected by the conclave. The legal term <i><a href="/facts/Capitulation_(treaty)/dXqBCoGl">capitulation</a></i> more frequently refers to the commitment of a sovereign state to relinquish jurisdiction within its borders over the subjects of a foreign state. Before balloting began, all cardinals present at the conclave would swear to be bound by its provisions if elected pope. Capitulations were used by the College of Cardinals to assert its collective authority and limit <a href="/facts/Papal_supremacy/21QtAsQV">papal supremacy</a>, to "make the Church an <a href="/facts/Oligarchy/1PjREsee">oligarchy</a> instead of a <a href="/facts/Monarchy/Kg1vY7tt">monarchy</a>." Similar <a href="/facts/Electoral_capitulation/5SDT2RY4">electoral capitulations</a> were used on occasion from the 14th to the 17th centuries in Northern and Central Europe to constrain an elected king, emperor, prince, or bishop.
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Conclave capitulation open-in-new

Conclave capitulation