Church Document
Third Council of the Lateran
Ecumenical Council · 1179
The eleventh ecumenical council (1179) decreed that the election of a pope requires a two-thirds majority of the cardinals — a rule still in force — and legislated against simony and abuses.
Key themes
Papal election (two-thirds majority)
Church reform
Document type
Council document
Issuing authority
Catholic Church
Issued date
1179