Vatican City:
The Cardinals, who elected Pope Francis’ successor, endure the Spartan state and will spend more time than many of their predecessors who had been trapped so long as some of them died.
This presents several notable pope elections throughout the era.
The pigeon will decide
In 236, the Roman Christian community was discussing potential pontiff candidates when a white pigeon landed on the head of Fabian, the bystander.
“Now, everyone was moved by a single sacred inspiration, and I truly cried out that Fabian was worth it,” says Eusebius, a historian of the church of this era.
The blessing was mixed for Fabian, who died in a martial master who was persecuted by Emperor Desius 14 years later.
Massive bribery
In the early churches, the Pope was elected by clergy and members of Roman aristocracy, and the vote was full of interference.
One of the most infamous elections was 532 years after the death of Boniface II, “involving a massive bribe of royal officials and influential senators,” according to PG Maxwell-Stuart of “Posen’s Chronicle.”
Eventually, an ordinary priest was elected, Mercarius. He became the first Pope to change his name – to John.
In 1059, Nicholas II gave the sole authority to choose the cardinal.
Lock them
The idea of locking the cardinals to encourage quick decisions in the 13th century comes from a Latin phrase meaning “contain keys.”
In 1241, when elections were being taken over, the head of the Roman government locked the cardinals in a dilapidated building, refusing to clean the bathrooms or provide doctors to those who became ill.
According to his “back door” in “Locked Door: History of the Pope Election,” the Cardinals reached a decision after one of them had died and the Romans threatened to excavate the body and decide it.
Seventy days later, they agreed to Gofredo Castiglioni, who became Celestine IV.
3 years
The longest conclave in history lasted nearly three years after Clement IV’s death in November 1268, held at the Pope Palace in Vitero near Rome.
From the second half of 1269, the Cardinals allowed them to be locked up to try to reach a decision, and by June 1270, annoyed locals tore the roof to speed things up.
They apparently were inspired by the English cardinal Quip, which states that without a roof the Holy Spirit can descend unobstructed.
Teobaldo Visconti became Pope Gregory X in September 1271.
distribution
In response to the chaos, Gregory X, led by his election, changed the rules, demanding that the Cardinals meet within ten days of the Pope’s death, and ordered their food to be reduced over time.
If there was no decision in the 3 days, the meal would be reduced to just one of the two traditional Italian main courses.
According to John L. Allen’s book Conclave, five days later they will be cut down to only bread, water and wine.
Cardinals were also prohibited from withdrawing income during conclaves.
Camping bed
It has been held for centuries since 1878 and has been held in its Sistine Chapel.
According to Allen’s “Conclave,” the Cardinals were sleeping in the Apostles’ Palace.
The windows were sealed, but in 1978, when the Conclave took place in a stifling August, there was a rebellion near the Cardinals that demanded they be opened.
John Paul II was elected in October that year at the second Conclave, but ordered the construction of the $20 million Santa Marta Guesthouse on the Vatican site where Francis himself lives and where the Cardinal is currently staying.
There are over 100 guest suites and approximately 20 single rooms. However, the windows are also sealed between the conclaves.
Non-cardiac
Technically, a baptized man could become a pope, but the last non-card elected was the Archbishop of Barriomeo Plinano, who became City VI in 1378.
I’m not reluctant
Not everyone is enthusiastic. Albino Luciani, who became John Paul I in 1978, first said, “May God forgive you what you have done!”
He passed away 33 days later.
Champagne
In 1978, after appearing in the crowds of St. Peter Square, John Paul II roamed around pouring champagne for the Cardinals and sang Polish folk songs.
In 2005, Benedict XVI invited all the cardinals to stay for champagne and dinner.
Short and short
The longest recent conclave was the 1831 Conclave, with Gregory XVI being selected more than 50 days later.
The longest of the 20th century lasted just five days (14 votes) when Pius XIII was elected in 1922.
In 2005, Benedict XVI was elected in just two days (four votes) and in 2013, Francis was elected in two days (four votes).
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from the syndicate feed.)
