| | CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Papal Elections |
 | | It will be seen that the decree of Pope Nicholas reserves the actual election to the cardinals, but requires the assent (laudatio) of the lower clergy and laity. |
 | | The Tenth Ecumenical Synod (Lateran) in 1139 restricted, however, the entire choice to the cardinals, and in 1179, another Lateran Council under Alexander III made the rule that the pope is to be chosen by a two-thirds majority of the electors who are present. |
 | | This last decree did not state what was to be done in case such a majority could not be obtained. |
| www.newadvent.org /cathen/11456a.htm (1627 words) |