very long, possibly even several months. The conclave Fifty-two Cardinals entered the conclave on May 12. On that same day in the evening they were joined by one more, Granvelle, Viceroy of Naples and official representative of Philip II of Spain. The first step taken by Granvelle was to inform Alessandro Farnese that the King of Spain would not accept his election and to ask him to withdraw his candidature in order to maintain peace in Italy. Surprised, Farnese understood that with such strong opposition he would never obtain the required majority, but, admitting his defeat, he wished to be able to use his influence effectively in the choice of the new pontiff. Almost the whole next day leaders of the main factions: Farnese, Bonelli, Granvelle and Borromeo, spent looking for a compromise candidate, and finally agreed to elect the 70-year-old Ugo Boncompagni. The first scrutiny took place on May 13 at six o'clock in the evening. At the end of the phase of accessus Ugo Boncompagni was elected Pope, receiving all votes except of his own, which he gave to Granvelle. He accepted his election and took the name of Gregory XIII, in honour of Pope Gregory I. The people of Rome were surprised with such a quick election, but they welcomed the new pope, because he was neither religious nor an austere "Theatine", as most people had feared. On May 25 Gregory XIII was solemnly crowned by Cardinal Protodeacon Innocenzo del Monte. Notes Sources Vatican History: an account of the papal conclave, 1572 in German List of participants of papal conclave, 1572 by S. Miranda Ludwig von Pastor, History of the Popes vol. XIX, London 1930 1572 in the Papal States 1572 16th-century elections 1572 in politics 16th-century Catholicism 1572 in Europe