The 1572 papal conclave (May 12–13), convoked after the death of
Pope Pius V, elected Cardinal Ugo Boncompagni, who took the name Gregory XIII.
List of participants
Pope Pius V died on May 1, 1572, at the age of 68. To date, he is the only
canonized pope between
Celestine V (1294) and
Pius X (1903–1914). Fifty-three out of sixty-six
Cardinals participated in the election of his successor:[1]
Flavio Orsini (March 12, 1565) – Cardinal-Priest of S. Marcellino e Pietro; Bishop of
Spoleto; Administrator of
Cosenza
Francesco Alciati (March 12, 1565) – Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Portico; Prefect of the S.C. of the Tridentine Council; Bishop of Città; Cardinal-protector of
Spain and
Ireland; Cardinal-protector of the Order of
Carthusians
Alessandro Crivelli (March 12, 1565) – Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Aracoeli
Benedetto Lomellini (March 12, 1565) – Cardinal-Priest of S. Sabina; Bishop of
Anagni; Legate in Campagna e Marittima
Guglielmo Sirleto (March 12, 1565) – Cardinal-Priest of S. Lorenzo in Panisperna; Bishop of
Squillace; Librarian of the Holy Roman Church
Antonio Carafa (March 24, 1568) – Cardinal-Deacon of S. Eusebio; Prefect of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature of Grace; Cardinal-protector of
Maronites
Georges d'Armagnac (December 19, 1544) – Cardinal-Priest of S. Nicola in Carcere Tulliano; Administrator of
Toulouse; Co-Legate in Avignon; Royal Governor of
Languedoc
Cardinals Farnese, Savelli, Correggio, Ricci and Boncompagni were considered as the main papabili.[4] Farnese was the most active in promoting his own candidature, but he met also with the strongest opposition. His main opponent was Cardinal Medici, because of the rivalry between the
House of Medici (
Grand Duchy of Tuscany) and the
House of Farnese (
Duchy of Parma) in
Northern Italy. Also king
Philip II of Spain opposed Farnese's candidature, because he considered his elevation dangerous to the balance of power in Italy. The worldly Farnese was also unacceptable to the austere
Carlo Borromeo. It was generally expected that conclave would last very long, possibly even several months.[5]
The conclave
Fifty-two Cardinals entered the conclave on May 12. On that same day in the evening they were joined by one more, Granvelle, Viceroy of Naples and official representative of
Philip II of Spain.[6] The first step taken by Granvelle was to inform Alessandro Farnese that the King of Spain would not accept his election and to ask him to withdraw his candidature in order to maintain peace in Italy. Surprised, Farnese understood that with such strong opposition he would never obtain the required majority, but, admitting his defeat, he wished to be able to use his influence effectively in the choice of the new pontiff.[7] Almost the whole next day leaders of the main factions: Farnese, Bonelli, Granvelle and Borromeo, spent looking for a compromise candidate, and finally agreed to elect the 70-year-old Ugo Boncompagni.[8] The first scrutiny took place on May 13 at six o'clock in the evening. At the end of the phase of accessus[1]Ugo Boncompagni was elected Pope, receiving all votes except of his own, which he gave to Granvelle. He accepted his election and took the name of Gregory XIII, in honour of
Pope Gregory I.[9]
The people of Rome were surprised with such a quick election, but they welcomed the new pope, because he was neither religious nor an austere "
Theatine", as most people had feared.[9] On May 25
Gregory XIII was solemnly crowned by Cardinal
ProtodeaconInnocenzo del Monte.[10]