A
conclave capitulation is a
capitulation drawn up by the
College of Cardinals during a
papal conclave, attempting to constrain the actions of the
Pope elected by the conclave. Generally, all cardinals would swear to uphold it if elected Pope, and the capitulation would be finished before the first
scrutiny (ballot). Capitulations were part and parcel of a strategy of the College of Cardinals to limit
papal supremacy and to "make the Church an
oligarchy instead of a
monarchy."