Universi Dominici gregisUniversi Dominici gregis is an apostolic constitution of the Catholic Church issued by Pope John Paul II on 22 February 1996. It superseded Pope Paul VI's 1975 apostolic constitution, Romano Pontifici eligendo, and all previous apostolic constitutions and orders on the subject of the election of the pope.
Ingravescentem aetatemPapacy1963 conclaveCoronationSecond Vatican CouncilCatholic–Orthodox Joint Declaration of 1965Reform of the Roman CuriaPastoral visits1965 visit to the United StatesSecond Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of BishopsPontifical Commission on Birth ControlTeachings and writingsApostolic constitutions PaeniteminiIndulgentiarum DoctrinaRomano Pontifici eligendoEncyclicals Ecclesiam SuamMense maioMysterium fideiChristi MatriPopulorum progressioSacerdotalis caelibatusHumanae vitaeApostolic exhortations Signum MagnumMarialis CultusEvangelii nuntiandiMotu proprioEcclesiae SanctaePontificalis DomusSolemni hac liturgiaMysterii PaschalisIngravescentem aetatemApostolic letters Octogesima adveniensChurch governance and reformCardinals created by Paul VIReform of the Roman CuriaMass of Paul VIPontificalis DomusEcclesiae SanctaeIngravescentem aetatemRomano Pontifici eligendoEcumenism and diplomacyPope Paul VI and ecumenismCatholic–Orthodox Joint Declaration of 1965OstpolitikBeatifications and canonizationsBeatificationsVenerable people declaredCanonizationsLegacyBeatification and canonization of Pope Paul VIPaul VI Audience HallPaul VI PrizePaul VI: The Pope in the TempestIngravescentem aetatem (Ecclesiastical Latin:) is a document issued by Pope Paul VI, dated 21 November 1970.
Apostolic constitutionAn apostolic constitution (Latin: constitutio apostolica) is the most solemn form of legislation issued by the Pope. It is one of several types of papal bull that can be issued from the Vatican. This high-level document normally deals with matters related to the governance and structure of the Church such as confirming laws, regulations, or institutions within the Church. Apostolic constitutions are issued as papal bulls because of their solemn, public form.
Eastern Catholic Churches23 Eastern Christian churches in the Catholic ChurchThe Eastern Catholic Churches or Oriental Catholic Churches, also known as the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches, Eastern Rite Catholicism, or simply the Eastern Churches, are 23 Eastern Christian autonomous (sui iuris) particular churches of the Catholic Church in full communion with the pope in Rome.
Sistine ChapelThe Sistine Chapel ( ; Latin: Sacellum Sixtinum; Italian: Cappella Sistina) is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the pope's official residence in Vatican City. Originally known as the Cappella Magna ('Great Chapel'), it takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who had it built between 1473 and 1481. Since that time, it has served as a place of both religious and functionary papal activity. Today, it is the site of the papal conclave, the process by which a new pope is selected.
Papal tiaraThe papal tiara is a crown that was worn by popes of the Catholic Church from as early as the 8th century to the mid–20th century. It was last used by Pope Paul VI in 1963, and only at the beginning of his reign.
Pope John Paul IIHead of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005Early life and church careerEarly lifePriesthoodEpiscopate and cardinalatePapacyOctober 1978 conclavePastoral visitsWorld Youth DayGreat Jubilee of 2000Cardinals createdBeatifications by John Paul IICanonizations by John Paul IITeachings and writingsTheologyTheology of the BodyCulture of lifeEncyclicalsRedemptor hominisDives in misericordiaLaborem exercensSlavorum ApostoliDominum et vivificantemRedemptoris MaterSollicitudo rei socialisRedemptoris missioCentesimus annusVeritatis splendorEvangelium vitaeUt unum sintFides et ratioEcclesia de EucharistiaLove and ResponsibilityMemory and IdentityChurch governance1983 Code of Canon LawCode of Canons of the Eastern ChurchesPastor bonusAd tuendam fidemOrdinatio sacerdotalisPolitical views and activityPolitical viewsHoly See–Soviet Union relationsEcumenism and interfaith relationsEcumenismEastern OrthodoxyJudaismIslamApologiesAssassination attempts and health1981 assassination attemptMehmet Ali AğcaJuan María Fernández y KrohnBojinka plotHealthDeath, canonization, and legacyDeath and funeralBeatificationCanonizationIn popular cultureJohn Paul II Catholic University of LublinJohn Paul II FoundationtPope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death in 2005.Synod of Bishops in the Catholic ChurchIn the Catholic Church, the Synod of Bishops is an influential, global, consultative and advisory body to the pope. It is one of the mechanisms through which Catholic bishops—the most senior ordained members of the Church—communally render "cooperative assistance" to the pontiff in fulfilling his office and leading the church.
Promulgation (Catholic canon law)In Catholic canon law, promulgation is the publication of a law by which it is made known publicly, and is required by canon law for the law to obtain legal effect. Universal laws are promulgated when they are published in Acta Apostolicae Sedis, and unless specified to the contrary, obtain legal force three months after promulgation. Particular laws are promulgated in various ways but by default take effect one month after promulgation.
ConclaveGathering convened to appoint the popeThe 1492 papal conclave was the first to be held in the Sistine Chapel.A conclave is a gathering of the College of Cardinals convened to appoint the pope of the Catholic Church. Catholics consider the pope to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and the earthly head of the Catholic Church.
Pope Paul VIHead of the Catholic Church from 1963 to 1978Other popes named PaulPapacy1963 conclaveCoronationSecond Vatican CouncilCatholic–Orthodox Joint Declaration of 1965Reform of the Roman CuriaPastoral visits1965 visit to the United StatesSecond Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of BishopsPontifical Commission on Birth ControlTeachings and writingsApostolic constitutions PaeniteminiIndulgentiarum DoctrinaRomano Pontifici eligendoEncyclicals Ecclesiam SuamMense maioMysterium fideiChristi MatriPopulorum progressioSacerdotalis caelibatusHumanae vitaeApostolic exhortations Signum MagnumMarialis CultusEvangelii nuntiandiMotu proprioEcclesiae SanctaePontificalis DomusSolemni hac liturgiaMysterii PaschalisIngravescentem aetatemApostolic letters Octogesima adveniensChurch governance and reformCardinals created by Paul VIReform of the Roman CuriaMass of Paul VIPontificalis DomusEcclesiae SanctaeIngravescentem aetatemRomano Pontifici eligendoEcumenism and diplomacyPope Paul VI and ecumenismCatholic–Orthodox Joint Declaration of 1965OstpolitikBeatifications and canonizationsBeatificationsVenerable people declaredCanonizationsLegacyBeatification and canonization of Pope Paul VIPaul VI Audience HallPaul VI PrizePaul VI: The Pope in the TempestPope Paul VI (born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini; 26 September 1897 – 6 August 1978) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978.
2025 conclaveA conclave was held on 7 and 8 May 2025 to elect a new pope to succeed Francis, who had died on 21 April 2025. Of the 135 eligible cardinal electors, all but two attended. On the fourth ballot, the conclave elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. After accepting his election, he took the name Leo XIV.PopeRelated word or term.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.