Conclave (preparations)

We present unique videos and photographs from the Vatican showing the preparations for the conclaves in 1939 (election of Pius XII), 1958 (election of John XXIII) and 1963 (election of Paul VI).

Thanks to these materials, we can even today take a look behind the scenes of the past conclave preparations, which included not only the issue of the appropriate arrangement of the Sistine Chapel (seats for the cardinals, canopies, the table of the electoral commission, the stove in which the votes were burned, etc.), but also, among other things, securing the entire Apostolic Palace and preparing the cells for the cardinals, and even the proper organisation of the kitchen.

These are valuable historical testimonies documenting elements of ancient ceremonial, many of which (especially apart from the preparations themselves, e.g. the etiquette covering the cardinals’ attire, the ceremonies held immediately after the election of a new pope, or the decoration of the Sistine Chapel itself) were abandoned on the occasion of subsequent papal elections.

First, we present photographs from the preparations for the 1958 conclave, which are collected in the LIFE magazine archive. To view a photograph in full size, open it in a new window. The files have not been enhanced with the use of artificial intelligence.

The videos come from the British Pathé archive. Since they originally had no sound, the background music is Veni Creator by Maestro Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci performed by Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina conducted by Mons. Marcos Pavan (source: Fondazione Cardinale Domenico Bartolucci). The photographs come from the Getty Images collection; to view a photograph in full size, open it in a new tab.

1939

1958

1963

APPENDIX: 1978

RECOMMENDED READINGS

1. Lucius Lector (Mons. Joseph Guthlin), Le conclave : origines, histoire, organisation, législation ancienne et modern, Paris 1894.
2. Georges Goyau, Paul Lesourd, Comment on élit le pape, Paris 1935.
3. Ufficio delle Celebrazioni Liturgiche del Sommo Pontefice, Sede Apostolica Vacante. Storia – Legislazione – Riti. Luoghi e cose, Città del Vaticano 2005.
4. Ufficio delle Celebrazioni Liturgiche del Sommo Pontefice, Sede Apostolica Vacante. Eventi e celebrazioni (aprile 2005), Città del Vaticano 2007.
5. John Paul Adams, Conclave, access: 26.04.2025.