[2] The previous conclave in September 1503 had already been caught up in the Italian Wars, surrounded by the forces of Louis XII of France, those of Ferdinand II of Aragon, and those of Cesare Borgia the son of Pope Alexander VI.

Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, who had returned to Rome on 3 September 1503, following the death of Pope Alexander VI, was also a strong papabile.

[citation needed] The number of cardinal electors who convened again to elect a new pope was larger than in September.

[7] It was reported by Niccolò Machiavelli to the Council of Ten in Florence on 31 October, the day of the beginning of the Conclave, that della Rovere was being given a 90% chance of being elected.

[13] His nephew, François Guillaume de Clermont, Archbishop of Narbonne, the intermediary in negotiations between Amboise and della Rovere, was named a cardinal on 29 November 1503.

[14] Joannes Burchard, the papal Master of Ceremonies, records that the Conclave was enclosed at the first hour of the night on 31 October.

[17] Ascanio Sforza and his faction were reserved at first, but voted for della Rovere on the first scrutiny, due to various promises of favors.

[20] Louis XII of France who had opposed Piccolomini a month earlier—exclaiming about Cesare "that son of a whore has prevented Rouen from becoming pope!

"— accepted the election of della Rovere, although they would soon be at war once Julius II formed the Catholic League.