Papal conclave, 1572

Coat of arms during the vacancy of the Holy See
Dates and location
12–13 May 1572 Apostolic Palace, Papal States
Key officials
Dean	Giovanni Morone
Sub-Dean	Cristoforo Madruzzo
Camerlengo	Luigi Cornaro
Protodeacon	Innocenzo Ciocchi Del Monte
Election
Ballots	1
Elected Pope
Ugo Boncompagni Name taken: Gregory XIII
← 1565–66 1585 →

The Papal conclave, May 12–13, 1572 – papal conclave convoked after the death of Pius V, elected Cardinal Ugo Boncompagni, who under the name of Gregory XIII became the 226th pope of the Catholic Church.

Pope Pius V died on May 1, 1572 at the age of 68. Up 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:

Twenty six electors were created by Pius IV, fourteen by Pius V, eight by Pope Paul III, four by Julius III and one by Pope Paul IV.

Thirteen Cardinals were absent:

Four were created by Paul III, another four by Pius V, three by Pius IV and two by Julius III.

The College of Cardinals was divided into several factions. Most of the creatures of Pius IV followed the leadership of his nephews Carlo Borromeo and Marcus Sitticus von Hohenems. Michele Bonelli, grand-nephew of Pius V, was a leader of cardinals elevated by this pontiff. Alessandro Farnese was still very influential, and had adherents not only among the creatures of his grandfather Paul III. The interests of Grand Duchy of Tuscany were under the care of Cardinal Alessandro de' Medici, son of Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici, while those of Philip II of Spain were represented by Pacheco and Granvelle. Cardinal Rambouillet was the main representative of Charles IX of France in the conclave.