
The longest papal election in Church history lasted 1,006 days, from 1268 to 1271
Few rituals in the world are as steeped in secrecy and tradition as the election of a pope. While modern conclaves unfold beneath Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, the roots of this process stretch back through centuries of power struggles, political intrigue, and human drama.
Cinema may have recently captured a glimpse of this in Conclave , but long before the silver screen dramatised the event, the Catholic Church had already experienced conclaves that changed history. One of the most extraordinary began in 1268, in the small Italian town of Viterbo, after the death of Pope Clement IV.
What should have been a solemn and swift vote turned into a political standoff that lasted nearly three years -- 1,006 days, from 1268 to 1271, the longest conclave in papal history. SISTINE CHAPEL 'S FIRST CONCLAVE
Over time, conclaves found a permanent home. The Sistine Chapel hosted its first in 1492 -- the same year Alexander VI, a Spaniard, was elected.
Since 1878, the chapel has been the fixed setting for this ancient process.
Cardinals now sleep nearby at the Domus Santa Marta residence, away from the world, disconnected from media, until white smoke signals the decision. Cardinal Camerlengo certifying a papal death (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Not all popes have been cardinals. Urban VI, elected in 1378, was a monk and the archbishop of Bari -- and remains the last non-cardinal to ascend to the papacy. Age, too, has varied. Pope John XII was just 18 when elected in 955. Celestine III and Celestine V were both nearly 85 when they took the mantle. EVOLUTION OF PAPAL CONCLAVE OVER CENTURIES
The papal conclave that we witness now -- veiled in mystery and seriousness -- took centuries to develop.
Popes in the early Church were elected by regional clergy and laity, frequently by acclamation instead of an official vote. This resulted in controversy and opposing claimants, or antipopes.
As the struggle for power increased, the laity's role diminished. In 1059, Pope Nicholas II restricted voting to cardinals, and by 1179, all cardinals had an equal voice.
But still, elections dragged on, particularly in the 13th century, because of politics and travel delays.
The limit of 70 cardinals established in 1587 was later increased to provide broader worldwide representation.
The Church formalised the process over time.
By 1917, canon law mandated that cardinals be priests, and since 1962, they have mostly been bishops.
In 1970, Pope Paul VI implemented another major reform: cardinals older than 80 could no longer vote -- simplifying the process while keeping centuries of tradition. LOCKED DOORS, NO ROOF, AND A POPE CHOSEN AT LAST
The deadlock was fuelled by a fierce rivalry between two dominant factions of the time: the Guelphs, who supported the authority of the pope, and the Ghibellines, who aligned with the Holy Roman Emperor.
As weeks turned into years, the people of Viterbo grew fed up. The cardinals, holed up in the Episcopal Palace, seemed unwilling to compromise.
In a rare act of civic defiance, the townspeople locked them in -- and even removed the palace roof to pressure them into action.
From this chaos came the term conclave , derived from the Latin cum clave , meaning 'with a key' -- referring to the cardinals being locked in until they reached a decision. The 1492 papal conclave was the first to be held in the Sistine Chapel. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Finally, in September 1271, a committee of six cardinals broke the impasse. Their surprise choice was Teobaldo Visconti, an Italian cleric on a diplomatic mission in the Holy Land. He returned home to become Pope Gregory X.
The experience forced Gregory to introduce reforms. In 1274, he decreed that if the cardinals couldn't agree on a pope within three days, their meals would be reduced to one a day.
After eight days, they'd get only bread, water, and wine -- a stern reminder that indecision had consequences.
The history of papal elections also reflects how wide the Church's reach has become. While the majority of popes have historically been Italian, the 20th and 21st centuries have seen more diversity.
The conclave remains a moment when history meets mystery -- a mix of prayer, politics, and pressure. It is, at heart, a very human affair, shaped by conflict, compromise, and, occasionally, roofs being torn off.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
11 hours ago
- The Hindu
Orthodox Church to hold ‘Druxit' against drug abuse
Aimed at countering the rising menace of drug and narcotic use among youths, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church will conduct a conference, 'Druxit,' at Devalokam here on July 14 . Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan will inaugurate the event at a function to be presided over by Church head Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III. Dignitaries including Mar Thoma Syrian Church Nilackal diocese Bishop Joseph Mar Barnabas, CSI Madhya Kerala diocese bishop Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian, Sri Narayana Dharma Sangham Corporate Manager Swami Vishalananda and Chief Imam of Kottayam Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid Shafiq Mannani will address the gathering. Film maker Blessy will inaugurate the first session while Divya S. Iyer, Managing Director of the Vizhinjam port, will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers of the event include educationist Ruble Raj, social activist C. Mamachan and Varghese P. Punnoose of Kottayam Government Medical College. As a curtain-raiser to the event, the Church also plans to hold anti-drug flash mobs in Kottayam town in the coming days.


Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Khaby Lame deported: Did a Trump family insider get the world's most-followed TikToker ICE'd?
Khaby Lame , the most-followed person on TikTok , was detained by U.S. immigration officials last week and quietly asked to leave the country. The move has drawn sharp attention—not only because of Lame's global popularity, but because an 18-year-old conservative influencer who calls himself Barron Trump 's best friend claimed credit for tipping off authorities. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) confirmed that Lame, a 25-year-old Italian citizen born in Senegal, was detained on 6 June at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for 'immigration violations.' Officials said he overstayed his visa after entering the U.S. on 30 April. In a statement to NPR , ICE said, 'Lame was granted voluntary departure June 6 and has since departed the U.S.' The voluntary departure means Lame avoids a formal removal order, allowing him to return legally in the future. 'I worked with Trump's ICE': Loudon's claim stirs controversy Soon after the news broke, Bo Loudon—a rising right-wing social media figure—posted on X: 'I worked with Trump's ICE to have him removed.' Loudon later elaborated in a video posted online, saying: 'I just called some buddies in the administration, and I've never seen anything happen so quick. They were like, 'We're gonna get right on this.'' Live Events Loudon claimed he had been informed by 'a few of his friends' and 'business partners' that Lame had overstayed his visa. 'I wish Khaby the best of luck,' Loudon said, 'and hope he's able to come back as a law-abiding citizen.' The statement caused outrage online, with critics accusing Loudon of exploiting the situation for political clout. ICE has not confirmed whether Loudon's involvement played any role in Lame's detention. Who is Bo Loudon? Bo Loudon is no ordinary teenager. He's the son of former Missouri state senator John Loudon and political commentator Gina Loudon, a former co-chair of Women for Trump. On social media, Bo is often seen posing with Donald and Barron Trump, promoting conservative views mixed with lifestyle content. Loudon and Barron Trump reportedly helped spearhead parts of Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, aiming to attract Gen Z voters through influencer outreach. One of their most visible moves was organising a livestream with Trump and content creator Adin Ross last August. The broadcast attracted half a million viewers. From Met Gala to ICE custody Khaby Lame's trip to the U.S. was high-profile from the start. He attended the Met Gala in May, shared stages with celebrities, and was seen at various events. But in early June, he was stopped at the Las Vegas airport by immigration officers who cited his expired visa. ICE has provided no details about the type or length of his visa, stating: 'The information provided in the statement is all we have available.' Lame has made no public comment on the incident. His TikTok and Instagram accounts, followed by over 162 million people, have remained silent about the detention. A global icon caught in red tape Lame, who gained fame during the COVID-19 lockdown by silently mocking overly complex "life hacks," became a symbol of digital simplicity. His humour, delivered without dialogue, drew comparisons to Mr Bean. Born in Senegal and raised in Italy since he was a toddler, Lame became an Italian citizen in 2022 after years of limbo. His comedy, said digital anthropologist Payal Arora in an interview with NPR last year, offers a subtle critique of online influencer culture. 'His message to regular people is, 'Hey, hang on. They are the idiots, not you.'' But in the United States, it wasn't absurdity he mocked. It was bureaucracy that mocked him. A symbol beyond borders, stopped by them Khaby Lame's removal reflects more than a paperwork mishap. It comes at a time when immigration enforcement under President Trump's second term has intensified. ICE raids, mass detentions, and crackdowns on visa overstays have become more frequent. Even high-profile figures aren't exempt. The message from U.S. authorities is clear: regardless of fame, background, or intention—rules are rules. But critics argue that this rigidity is more performative than protective. That it's about optics, not outcomes. In a year of escalating deportations and political posturing, Khaby Lame became an unlikely participant in America's culture war—by doing what he always does. Nothing. No angry videos. No dramatic posts. Just a quiet exit. Exit without a word but not without a statement The most-followed man on TikTok, whose silent videos made the internet laugh, left the U.S. with no words—only the echo of irony. A creator who built his brand on common sense was undone by a system that often defies it. The incident has fuelled debate not just about immigration laws, but about how power is used—and who gets to use it. Bo Loudon's claim that he used connections to initiate action has raised questions about political influence over federal enforcement. Whether or not his call had any impact, the bigger picture remains: Khaby Lame was shown the door. And in that silent departure, he may have delivered his most powerful message yet.


Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
World's most viral TikTok sensation Khaby lame leaves US after being detained by ICE
TikTok star Khaby Lame detained by ICE in Las Vegas: The Senegalese Italian TikTok sensation and one of the most-followed influencers globally was detained in Las Vegas for allegedly overstaying his visa. The 25-year-old arrived in the US on April 30 and was held at Harry Reid International Airport on Friday, according to an ICE spokesperson. Although detained, Lame was not issued a deportation order. Instead, he voluntarily left the country, an option that allows individuals to exit without a formal deportation mark on their immigration records. This could be crucial in avoiding long-term re-entry bans, which can stretch up to 10 years. Khaby Lame leaves US amid Donald Trump's escalating immigration crackdown Lame's detainment comes in the middle of US President Donald Trump's intensifying clampdown on immigration, which has triggered protests across major US cities. Recent US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles, combined with the controversial deployment of the National Guard, have reignited debates over the administration's use of executive power. In California, tensions escalated as tear gas and flash-bangs were used on demonstrators outside federal buildings. California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned Trump's actions, calling them 'unconstitutional' and vowing to challenge the federal government in court. Khaby Lame high-profile US visit cut short due to his visa by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 5 Wealth Management Firms in The United States SmartAsset Learn More Undo Just weeks ago, Lame walked the red carpet at the Met Gala in New York City, one of the fashion world's biggest events. His visit to the US, however, was unexpectedly cut short due to his visa situation. While his exit from the country was amicable and without legal penalties, the incident highlights growing concerns around immigration enforcement and how even international celebrities can get caught in the crossfire of broader political battles. According to the reports, Lame has not publicly commented on the incident, but his team is expected to clarify his future travel plans soon. Whether he will return to the US in the near future remains uncertain, especially given the increasing scrutiny at borders under the Trump administration's renewed immigration agenda. Khaby Lame: A global star with humble beginnings Born in Senegal and raised in Chivasso, Italy, Khaby Lame shot to fame during the COVID-19 lockdowns. After losing his factory job in 2020, he began posting videos silently mocking over-engineered life hacks. His expressive, wordless reactions quickly resonated with millions, propelling him to stardom. According to the reports, Khaby lame has more than 160 million followers on TikTok, Lame is now the platform's most-followed creator. His meteoric rise has led to major brand collaborations including a long-term deal with Hugo Boss and prestigious accolades. In January 2025, Lame was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador , recognising his global influence and advocacy potential. Also Read | TikTok star Khaby Lame detained by US ICE: Here are 5 most viral videos still taking over the internet