Papal conclave, 1644

Coat of arms during the vacancy of the Holy See
Dates and location
9 August – 15 September 1644 Apostolic Palace, Papal States
Key officials
Dean	Marcello Lante della Rovere
Sub-Dean	Pier Paolo Crescenzi
Camerlengo	Antonio Barberini
Protopriest	Luigi Capponi
Protodeacon	Carlo de Medici
Election
Vetoed	Giulio Cesare Sacchetti
Elected Pope
Giovanni Battista Pamphilj (Name taken: Innocent X)
← 1623 1655 →

The papal conclave of 1644 was the papal conclave called upon the death of Pope Urban VIII. It lasted from 9 August to 15 September 1644; the cardinal electors chose Giovanni Battista Pamphili, who took office as Pope Innocent X.

Pope Urban VIII died on July 29, 1644. His reign (which included the costly First War of Castro) had been financially troubling for Rome and for the Church and the conflict for control of the Church between Spain and France and the ongoing Thirty Years' War meant many cardinals arrived at the conclave seeking a compromise that would bring stability to the Church.

But Urban's reign had also subjected the Church to his notorious nepotism. He had appointed three family members as Cardinals; his brother Antonio Marcello Barberini and his two nephews, Francesco Barberini and Antonio Barberini. His nephews, especially, were keen to retain the wealth, power and property they had amassed during their uncle's reign and both sought to move the conclave in their favour.

They started by hiring, it was rumoured, bands of brigands and mercenaries to roam the streets of the city causing trouble, creating noise and generally making it uncomfortable for the cardinals inside the conclave.

Anne of Austria, French Queen Mother, (and sister to Philip IV of Spain was adamant that none of the older cardinals appointed by the pro-Spanish Pope Paul V should be elected to the Papal throne.