Conclave meaning

A conclave is a private meeting or gathering of a group of people.


Conclave definitions

Word backwards evalcnoc
Part of speech noun
Syllabic division The syllable separation of the word "conclave" is con-clave.
Plural The plural of conclave is conclaves.
Total letters 8
Vogais (3) o,a,e
Consonants (4) c,n,l,v

What is a Conclave?

A conclave is a gathering of high-ranking individuals within a religious organization to select a new leader or to make important decisions. The term is most commonly associated with the Catholic Church, where a conclave is held to elect the new pope.

History of Conclaves

The tradition of holding a conclave to elect a new pope dates back to the early days of the Catholic Church. The word "conclave" comes from the Latin phrase "cum clave," which means "with a key." This refers to the practice of locking the cardinals in a room until they reach a decision on the next pope.

Process of a Conclave

During a conclave, the cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. They are sequestered from the outside world and are not allowed to communicate with anyone who is not part of the conclave. The cardinals cast paper ballots to vote for the new pope, with a two-thirds majority required for election.

Secrecy and Rituals

Secrecy is a key component of the conclave process. The cardinals swear an oath of secrecy before the conclave begins, and the room where they meet is swept for electronic surveillance devices. The voting process is highly ritualized, with each cardinal approaching the altar to place his ballot in a chalice.

Conclusion of a Conclave

Once a new pope has been elected, white smoke is released from the Sistine Chapel chimney to signal the news to the waiting crowd in St. Peter's Square. The newly elected pope then appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to greet the faithful and deliver his first papal blessing.

In conclusion, a conclave is a centuries-old tradition within the Catholic Church for selecting a new pope. It is a highly secretive and ritualized process that culminates in the election of the leader of the world's largest Christian denomination.


Conclave Examples

  1. The cardinals gathered in conclave to elect a new pope.
  2. The conclave of experts reached a consensus on the best course of action.
  3. The secretive conclave of powerful leaders met to discuss global issues.
  4. The conclave of wizards convened to determine the fate of the kingdom.
  5. The conclave of artists showcased their latest creations at the gallery.
  6. The conclave of scientists debated the implications of their groundbreaking discovery.
  7. The conclave of politicians negotiated a peace treaty between the warring nations.
  8. The conclave of investors decided to fund the startup project.
  9. The conclave of chefs competed in a cooking competition for charity.
  10. The conclave of historians gathered to study ancient artifacts found in the ruins.


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  • Updated 19/06/2024 - 12:07:12