This article's lead sectionmay be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article.(June 2016)
Twenty cardinals entered the conclave on 22 September, divided roughly into the factions of the French and Gascon cardinals (the latter being subjects of the king of England, in his capacity as duke of Aquitaine).[1] Eleven[2] or twelve[3] of the twenty cardinals were Limousin, including three cardinal-nephews of Innocent VI and six nephews of Pope Clement VI.
After six days, the cardinals agreed upon the election of Hugues Roger, a cardinal and nephew of Clement VI, who refused the election in no uncertain terms (unlike many popes who made a show of "refusing" only to accept soon afterwards).[4] Thereafter, cardinal Raymond di Canillac emerged as papabile but was unable to receive the requisite supermajority.[5]
It became clear that none among the cardinals could receive a two-thirds majority, and thus discussion shifted to names outside the College.[3] Disagreements continued until October 28, when the cardinals agreed on Abbot Guillaume de Grimoard, the apostolic legate to the Kingdom of Naples, at the time residing in Florence.[4] Fearing that Italians wishing to return the papacy to Rome would detain Grimoard, the French cardinals summoned him to Avignon, stating that they wished to consult with him, rather than informing him of his election.[4] It took five weeks for Grimoard to reach Avignon, where he was crowned as Urban V.[3]
Five years after his election, Urban V finally bowed to intense pressure from every direction, and did temporarily return the papacy to Rome on October 16, 1367. He returned to Avignon three years later, however, on August 26, 1370. He died in December of that year.[6]
List of participants
Twenty out of twenty one cardinals participated in the conclave:[7]
Guy de Boulogne (20 September 1342) – Cardinal-Bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina; commendatario of S. Cecilia and S. Crisogono; Subdean of the Sacred College of Cardinals