1521–1522 conclave
| Papal conclave 1521–22 | |
|---|---|
| Dates and location | |
| 28 December 1521 – 9 January 1522 Apostolic Palace, Papal States | |
| Key officials | |
| Dean | Bernardino de Sande |
| Camerlengo | Francesco de' Medici |
| Protodeacon | Giulio de' Medici |
| Election | |
| Candidates | |
| Elected pope | |
| Adriaan Boeyens Name taken: Adrian VI | |
The 1521–22 papal conclave elected Pope Adrian VI to succeed Pope Leo X. The conclave was marked by the early candidacies of cardinal-nephew Giulio de'Medici (future Pope Clement VII) and Alessandro Farnese (future Pope Paul III), although the Colonna and other cardinals blocked their election.
Adrian, the viceroy to Spain and a clear pro-Imperial candidate, was elected as a compromise candidate despite his absence from the conclave. The number of cardinal-electors (thirty-nine) and the length of the sede vacante increased the cost of the conclave even in excess of the funds distributed by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, Francis I of France, and Henry VIII of England to promote their candidates.