conclave
Cardinals electing pope
A conclave is a private meeting, especially one where participants deliberate in secret.
The word is most associated with the gathering of Catholic cardinals to elect a new pope—historically locked in isolation until they reach a decision.
More broadly, any closed-door meeting of insiders qualifies: The party leaders met in conclave to choose their candidate.
Pope-electing prelates or finches
- VaticanPapal city-state
- Sistine ChapelVatican worship hall
- Holy SeePapal governing authority
- PopeCatholic Church's supreme leader
bishop · archbishop · College of Cardinals · white smoke · black smoke · ballot · scrutiny · election
Collection of people meeting
- councilAdvisory deliberative group
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- meetingGathering for discussion
- convocationFormal ceremonial gathering
caucus · convention · forum · synod · consistory · congregation · delegates · quorum
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- closedNot accessible now
sealed · sequestered · exclusive · hidden · veiled · backroom · hushed · guarded
Exchange of ideas
- debateFormal argument on issues
- consultationMeeting seeking expert guidance
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- consensusGeneral group agreement
decision · voting · deadlock · compromise · impasse · resolution · agreement · factions
Limited to one group
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- powerfulHaving great strength
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- selectCarefully pick from options
privileged · leadership · hierarchy · dignitaries · insiders · power brokers · decision-makers · establishment
cardinals
Pope-electing prelates or finches
- VaticanPapal city-state
- Sistine ChapelVatican worship hall
- Holy SeePapal governing authority
Pope · bishop · archbishop · College of Cardinals · white smoke · black smoke · ballot · scrutiny · election · dean
gathering
Collection of people meeting
convocation · caucus · convention · forum · synod · consistory · congregation · delegates · quorum · session
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
closed · sealed · sequestered · exclusive · hidden · veiled · backroom · hushed · guarded · restricted
discussion
Exchange of ideas
- debateFormal argument on issues
- consultationMeeting seeking expert guidance
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
consensus · decision · voting · deadlock · compromise · impasse · resolution · agreement · factions · lobbying
exclusive
Limited to one group
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- powerfulHaving great strength
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
select · privileged · leadership · hierarchy · dignitaries · insiders · power brokers · decision-makers · establishment
- gatheringsgathering, gatherings, parties, party, reunion
- Catholic ChurchVatican, papacy, cardinals, popes, papal
- CatholicismVatican, cardinals, pope, Holy Communion, popes
- Councilstown council, city council, county council, national council, parish council
- discussionsdiscussion, discussions, forum, talks, roundtable
- formal gatheringsgraduation, commencement, assembly, ceremony, meeting
conclavepublic forum
Space for collective discourse
open meeting · public assembly · open session · town hall · public hearing
conclavemass meeting
Large public gathering
general assembly · rally · mob · free-for-all · mass gathering
- papal conclaveCardinal election of pontiff