Death of Pius IX and election of Leo XIII

Background. Pius IX served as head of the Catholic Church from 16 June 1846 until his death in February 1878. His health declined in late 1877 due to heat and sores, worsening after a fall and bronchitis in early 1878. He died on 7 February 1878 at 5:40 pm, aged 85, while saying the rosary. The Italian government opposed his beatification.

Conclave. The conclave assembled in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on 18 February 1878. It was characterized by fewer political influences than previous conclaves due to European crises. Cardinals voted for Pecci, expecting a brief papacy due to his age and health. Pecci, who had been appointed Camerlengo in August 1877, was elected on the third ballot.

Succession. Cardinal Gioacchino Pecci, the camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber and archbishop-bishop of Perugia, was elected as Pope Leo XIII. He had served as Archbishop of Perugia from 1846 to 1877. At the time of his election, he experienced a slight tremor in his hand from a bloodletting procedure. He succeeded Pius IX as head of the Church.