Wikipedia:Today's featured article/August 20, 2004



Papal elections are the method by which the Roman Catholic Church fills the office of Bishop of Rome, whose incumbent is informally (but usually) referred to as the Pope. An occasion steeped in centuries-old tradition, a meeting of clergymen held to select the Pope is referred to as a conclave. The term comes from the Latin phrase cum clavi ("with a key"), referring to the "locking away" of the electors during the process. Conclaves have been employed since the Second Council of Lyons decreed in 1274 that the electors should meet in seclusion. They are held in the Sistine Chapel in the Palace of the Vatican. (more...)

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