Papal conclave, 1978 (August)
Coat of arms during the vacancy of the Holy See
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| Dates and location | |
|---|---|
| 25 August 1978 – 26 August 1978 Sistine Chapel, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City |
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| Key officials | |
| Dean | Carlo Confalonieri |
| Sub-Dean | Paolo Marella |
| Camerlengo | Jean-Marie Villot |
| Protopriest | Josef Frings |
| Protodeacon | Pericle Felici |
| Secretary | Ernesto Civardi |
| Election | |
| Ballots | 4 |
| Elected Pope | |
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Albino Luciani Name taken: John Paul I |
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The papal conclave of August 1978, the first of the two conclaves held that year, was convoked after the death of Pope Paul VI on 6 August 1978 at Castel Gandolfo. After the cardinal electors assembled in Rome, they elected Cardinal Albino Luciani, Patriarch of Venice, as the new pope after four ballots. He accepted the election and took the pontifical name of John Paul I.
The conclave was held for two days from 25 August 1978 to 26 August 1978 at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Proceedings on 25 August 1978 included a Mass celebrated at St. Peter's Basilica by the cardinal electors for divine guidance in their task to elect Pope Paul's successor. Six hours later, the cardinals processed into the Sistine Chapel whilst the chapel choir sang the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus. Monsignor Virgilio Noè, the Papal Master of Ceremonies, gave the traditional command of ("Everybody out!"), the doors were locked, and then the actual conclave began.
It was the first conclave after the 1970 promulgation of Ingravescentem Ætatem, so cardinals over the age of 80 lost their right to vote.
The chapel windows remained closed and the summer heat was almost unbearable. The conclave of August 1978 was the largest ever assembled. Thus, to accommodate the electors, the traditional canopied thrones were replaced with twelve long tables. Karol Wojtyła, Aloísio Lorscheider, and Bernardin Gantin reportedly served as scrutineers during the balloting.
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