Emperor Franz Joseph Vetoed Rampolla

In 1903, Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I made the final use of a European monarch's veto in a papal election, targeting Italian Cardinal Mariano Rampolla. A Polish cardinal named Jan Puzyna announced the veto during the conclave on the emperor's behalf, even though reports claimed Rampolla had enough votes to win. Rampolla initially gained more votes, but his support eventually collapsed, and the cardinals elected Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Sarto, who became Pope Pius X. On January 20, 1904, Pius X abolished the veto as one of his first official acts, formally ending the practice.

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