The two main factions of the cardinals were divided between the followers of cardinals
Prospero Colonna (
cardinal-nephew of
Pope Martin V) and Cardinal
Latino Orsini; among the
papabile were
Pietro Barbo,
Basil Bessarion,
Domenico Capranica, Orsini, and
Ludovico Trevisan. Capranica received a plurality on the first three scrutinies, with the other votes scattered; Orsini and the French cardinals rallied against Capranica because he was close to Colonna. The French cardinal is reported to have remarked: Bessarion made no attempt to defend himself, claiming he was not interested in being elected; his reputations for reform and austerity also would have been unpopular with many of the Renaissance cardinals. It is known that the early scrutinies the following Monday were disorganized; for example, the
Minorite friar Antonio de Montefalcone received at least one vote. de Coëtivy and Trevisan pushed for Borja's election, gaining momentum until Borja prevailed the following Tuesday. The core of the requisite two-thirds majority was likely composed of the French, Spanish, and Venetian cardinals: Trevisan, de Coëtivy, Barbo, Orsini,
d'Estaing,
de Carvajal,
Cerda,
Rolin, and
Torquemada; the vote of
Isidore or
Calandrini, or both, likely was also required as Borja very likely did not vote for himself; Borja almost certainly did not receive the votes of Colonna, Capranica, or Bessarion. ==Cardinal electors==