Pope Benedict XVI was elected in the 2005 papal conclave on the fourth ballot with 84 votes. The required two-thirds majority for election was 77 votes at that time. The vote counts in the ballots leading up to his election were 47 votes in the first ballot, 65 in the second, 72 in the third, and finally 84 in the fourth, which secured his election
. To summarize:
- Two-thirds majority required: 77 votes
- Votes received by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI):
- 1st ballot: 47 votes
- 2nd ballot: 65 votes
- 3rd ballot: 72 votes
- 4th ballot: 84 votes (elected pope)
Thus, it took 84 votes on the fourth ballot to elect Pope Benedict XVI in 2005
