Conclaves

A **conclave** (plural: **conclaves**) is a private or secret meeting, often involving a group of people with significant authority, power, or influence, who gather to deliberate, make decisions, or elect someone to a high position. It is frequently associated with secrecy and restricted access. The term originates from the Latin 'conclave', meaning 'locked room', reflecting the historical practice of isolating participants to ensure privacy and expedite decision-making. **Conclaves** often deal with matters of critical importance, such as religious elections, political strategies, or sensitive negotiations. The specific context dictates the character and weight of the deliberation, and there is often a high degree of importance to the proceedings. The term is also used in the contexts of groups meeting with common interests and common goals.

Conclaves meaning with examples

• The College of Cardinals entered a highly secretive **conclave** to elect the new Pope, sequestered from the outside world to prevent external influence on their selection process. News from the Vatican was highly guarded, all information being curated through appointed channels. The world eagerly awaited the white smoke signal to know who the next leader would be.
• After weeks of intense negotiations, world leaders decided to hold a private **conclave** at a neutral location to discuss the urgent climate crisis. Without media presence, they sought to facilitate more open and honest discussions, hoping to find common ground and formulate binding agreements. The future of the planet rested on these talks.
• The board of directors held a closed-door **conclave** to discuss the company's recent financial downturn and decide on a new strategic direction. Amidst the economic challenges, decisions were critical, and the leadership was isolated from the general staff for greater focus on finding solutions. Their goal was to safeguard the company.
• Historians often study historical conclaves, like the Congress of Vienna, to understand the diplomatic maneuvering and power plays that shaped past international events. The secret documents produced give a glimpse into the inner workings of these powerful figures and how they made decisions, giving context to later outcomes.