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The word “conclave,” meaning “with key,” points to the gathering of cardinals who eventually needed to be locked up together to reach a timely decision. With an international body of electors, political factors inevitably made their presence felt. In fact, for centuries, the Roman Emperors (situated in Constantinople) approved the election of popes, and later Holy Roman Emperors often made their will known to electors (and occasionally imposed it forcefully). Cardinals often represented national interests and could even wield a veto on behalf of their monarch to be exercised once in each conclave, with the last being used in 1903 during the election of Pope St. Pius X (who then abolished the practice). To cut through political maneuverings and delays, cardinals would be locked into a room (eventually the Sistine Chapel) with limited food in order to make a timely decision without outside interference.

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