The shortest and longest conclaves
VATICAN CITY: The papal election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the shortest conclaves in church history with white smoke yesterday signalling a decision had been reached in just over 24 hours.
John Paul II's election in 1978 took just three day with cardinals selecting him in the conclave's eighth ballot.
Elections of popes have not always been concluded in such a brief period.
The longest conclave began 1268 in central Italian Viterbo and lasted two years, nine months and two days. The cardinals had been unable to reach the two-thirds majority required even after they were given drastically reduced food supplies.
Only when incensed residents began dismantling the roof above the election room did they elect Pope Gregory X in September 1271 as the conclave feared a deluge of the first stormy autumn rains.
A conclave held 1314 in Carpentras, southern France, proved especially dramatic. Impatient mobs set fire to the bishop's palace where the crimson-robed conclave members were conferring, causing them to flee.
The shortest conclave took place in Rome on Oct 31, 1503 and after only a few hours Pope Julius II emerged. The election of Pius XII in 1939 lasted 20 hours. – dpa
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