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Gulf News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf News
Papal conclaves: Shortest, fastest, lesser-known stories and surprises
What actually happens behind Vatican walls during the papal "conclave", set for May 7, 2025? Insiders offer fascinating details of when Catholic cardinals meet for the centuries-old practice of electing the next pope. So when the pope dies, there's funeral, mourning, and the next man up. It turns out it's neither that simple, nor straightforward: The conclave can pull off some surprises. With locked doors, smoke signals, and even royal vetoe it s,is one of the oldest and most secretive rituals in the world. Here's a quick list of fascinating facts about how popes have been chosen across the ages: 'Conclave': May 8 The word "conclave" comes from cum clave ("with a key") as the Church mandated that cardinals be locked in until a pope was chosen. Conclaves are usually held 15 to 20 days after the pope's death. On May 8, cardinals are set to meet for mass at St. Peter's Basilica with the purpose of praying for the wisdom needed to choose the next pope. #1. Longest conclave lasted nearly 3 years The 1268–1271 conclave in Viterbo (Italy) dragged on for almost three years because the cardinals couldn't agree. Citizens finally locked the cardinals in, cut their food supply, and even removed the building's roof to hurry them up, according to The Conclave: A Sometimes Secret and Occasionally Bloody History of Papal Elections, by prominent Catholic historian Michael Walsh Michael Walsh (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003). #2. Shortest conclave: It lasted just a few hours The 1503 conclave that elected Pius III lasted only a few hours — practically a "snap election." As per Chamberlin's tome on popes (1969). The second-shortest was Pope Pius XII (1939), who was elected on just the third ballot, within less than 24 hours of the conclave starting. #3. Youngest pope elected Pope Benedict IX was elected in the early 11th century — at around age 20 (or even younger by some accounts). Pope Benedict IX (Latin: Benedictus IX; c. 1012 – c. 1056), born Theophylactus of Tusculum in Rome, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States for three periods between October 1032 and July 1048. Aged about 20 when first elected, he is the youngest pope in history. He later resigned, was re-elected. #4. Mob violence influenced the 1378 conclave After Pope Gregory XI's death, a Roman mob stormed the building, demanding an Italian pope, threatening to kill the cardinals unless they elected an Italian pope. Tensions got so bad that, according to some accounts, arguments in the conclave almost led to physical fights among cardinals. Fearing for their lives, the cardinals rushed to elect Bartolomeo Prignano (Pope Urban VI). Urban turned out to be so harsh and temperamental that some cardinals later tried to 'un-elect' him and elect another pope — triggering the massive Western Schism (where there were two, then three 'popes' at once). (Source: Norwich, Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy, 2011). #5. A hermit was elected pope (then quit) In 1294, the cardinals elected Celestine V, a hermit living in a cave, out of desperation. He resigned after five months — one of the very few papal resignations in history. (Duffy, Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes, 1997). #6. Latin confusion at modern conclaves Latin is the official language used inside the conclave, but by the 20th century many cardinals were poor Latin speakers, causing confusion during ballots and discussions. (Allen, Conclave: The Politics, Personalities, and Process of the Next Papal Election, 2002.) #7. One conclave had a fake "smoke signal" accident In 1958, during the conclave that elected Pope John XXIII, white smoke initially appeared by accident — causing premature celebration before the election was finalised. (Collins, Absolute Power: The Vatican in the Twentieth Century, 2001.)
NDTV
22-04-2025
- General
- NDTV
Benedict IX: The Youngest Pope In History And The Turmoil That Followed
The Catholic Church is in mourning following the death of Pope Francis. As is customary, with the death of a pope, the process of selecting a new leader for the Church is already underway. The election of a pope is always a momentous occasion in the history of the Catholic Church, but in the case of Pope Benedict IX, it was one of the most extraordinary. Elected as pope at a remarkably young age, Benedict IX became the youngest pope in history - a record that still stands today. Rise Of A Boy Pope Benedict IX, born Theophylactus of Tusculum, became pope at an unusually young age, possibly as young as 11, though most accounts suggest he was closer to 20. His exact age when elected in 1032 is still debated. The Catholic Encyclopedia, a reference from the early 20th century, suggests he was around 20. Philosopher Bertrand Russell, in 'A History of Western Philosophy', mentioned he might have been just 12. A contemporary monk, Rodulfus Glaber, also claimed Benedict IX was 12 when he became pope, a view supported by historian F Donald Logan in 'A History of the Church in the Middle Ages'. Tumultuous Reign Benedict IX's reign as pope was marked by scandal, violence and power struggles. He served three times as pope-first from 1032 to 1044, then briefly in 1045, and again from 1047 to 1048. He is perhaps most famous for selling the papacy before reclaiming it twice. His rule was filled with violence and debauchery, leading to an uprising in Rome. By early 1045, Benedict was forced to flee, and Bishop John of Sabina was elected pope in his place. Benedict's brothers orchestrated his return and expelled the new pope. In 1045, Benedict IX sold the papacy to his godfather, Giovanni Graziano, who took the name Pope Gregory VI. His papacy was short-lived. By 1046, three men - Benedict, Sylvester III, and Gregory VI - were all claiming to be pope. Emperor Henry III intervened by convening the Council of Sutri, which deposed all three claimants. Benedict was removed and Gregory was forced to resign. After the death of Pope Clement II in 1047, Benedict returned to Rome, trying once more to reclaim the papacy. In 1048, he was expelled by Boniface of Tuscany and never returned to Rome. The Catholic Encyclopedia, which typically offers a more sympathetic view, does not hold back in its criticism of Benedict IX, calling him "a disgrace to the Chair of Peter." Benedict IX spent his final years in seclusion, possibly at a monastery, and died around 1055 or 1056.
NDTV
22-04-2025
- General
- NDTV
The Pope Who Wasn't There: Benedict's Triple Papacy
Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church and its first pontiff from Latin America, died on Easter Monday, April 21. He was 88. The Vatican confirmed the news, stating that at 7:35 local time, the Pope "returned to the house of the Father." His death was formally certified by the head of the Vatican's health department and the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, in keeping with Church protocols. As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, the spotlight also returns to a long and dramatic history of the papacy. Among the more extraordinary stories from the Vatican's 1,000-year-plus past is that of Benedict IX, a medieval pope whose reign was anything but stable. Benedict IX's papacy was marked by being elected three times, selling the papacy, being deposed, reinstated, and ultimately excommunicated. Turbulent Papacy Of Benedict IX Benedict IX is the only individual in Church history to have occupied the papal throne on three separate occasions - a feat unmatched and still shrouded in controversy. Born Theophylactus of the influential Tusculani family, Benedict IX's ascent to power was paved by dynastic privilege. He was a nephew to two former popes - Benedict VIII and John XIX - and was propelled into the papacy in 1032, reportedly at the age of 20, though some accounts place him as young as 12. His first papal tenure, marred by scandal and accusations of immorality, ended in 1044 when he was ousted and replaced by Sylvester III. Yet the story didn't end there. Within months, Benedict IX's supporters forced Sylvester out, reinstating Benedict in April 1045. Benedict IX resigned in May 1045 and sold the papal office to his godfather, Pope Gregory VI - a transaction that sparked significant outrage. This exchange backfired. Gregory VI was soon deposed in December 1046 during a synod led by Holy Roman Emperor Henry III. Clement II, his successor, served briefly before his death in October 1047. Benedict IX seized this opportunity to reclaim the papacy for a third time. But by July 1048, forces loyal to the Emperor had once again expelled him, bringing an end to his final reign. The papal office has seen its share of remarkable figures. Pius IX, for example, holds the record for the longest verified papal reign, which lasted 11,560 days. The Gregorian calendar, still in use today, was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Among papal names, John remains the most popular, having been used legitimately by 21 pontiffs. In terms of global reach, Pope John Paul II set a high bar by visiting 129 countries during his pontificate - a record unmatched in papal history.
