I'm not sure if this question has been asked before, but I'll ask it again anyway. Do refer me as appropriate if this has been discussed before.

As Milan on 0.5 year/turn I destroyed every single Catholic faction, save for the Papacy. Hence, everytime the Pope died I'd automatically get one of my cardinals elected, since the College of Cardinals consisted of Milanese naturally

Which brings me to my question, which hit me at this point of the game.

If I let my army of priests and cardinals die, and if the Pope dies, what happens then? If there is no candidate there should be no Pope.

Btw, I conquered Rome and killed my own Pope, destroying his armies in the process. But the next turn another Pope was elected and a single pathetic Papal general unit appeared beside Rome.