What does the word “conclave” mean?
The word comes from the Latin, “with a key,” referring to the tradition of locking the doors until cardinals elect a winner. Q: Who is eligible to be elected pope? A: Technically, any baptized male Catholic is eligible–meaning anyone from Mel Gibson to Ted Kennedy to the bishop of Buffalo are eligible. Since 1378, however, new popes have come from within the College of Cardinals. Q: Who sets the rules for how a pope is elected? A: A 1996 document by Pope John Paul II, “Universi Dominici Gregis,” lays out the framework for the conclave. Other details and traditions have evolved over time. Q: Does a conclave ever convene for any other reason? A: No. Any pope can call together cardinals for advice or any other purpose, but a conclave only is used to elect a pope. Q: Who may participate in a conclave? A: There are 117 cardinals who are under the age of 80 and thus eligible to participate in the conclave. Older retired cardinals may participate in discussions leading up to the conclave but
