The 1903 papal conclave followed the death of Pope Leo XIII after a reign of 25 years. Some 62 cardinals participated in the balloting. Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria asserted the right claimed by certain Catholic rulers to veto a candidate for the papacy, blocking the election of the leading candidate, Cardinal Secretary of State Mariano Rampolla. On the morning of the fifth day, on its seventh ballot, the conclave elected Cardinal Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, who took the name Pius X.