The Evolution of the Papal Elections: From Felonies to Fine Dining
Contest for Papal Seat Involving Bribes, Secret Liaisons, and Lavish Parties
Papal elections today are a far cry from the long-drawn, notorious, and often corrupt events of the past. extension, from three years to a few days.
Divine Omen or Divine Intervention?
The initial Catholic Church gatherings in Rome, such as the one in the year 236, were decided by a curious intervention - a white dove landing on the head of an uninvolved layman named Fabian. The believers considered this a divine sign and elected him the pope.
A Royal Sham and a Simple Priest Pope
In 532, the election after the demise of Boniface II was marred by extravagant bribes from royal officials and influential senators. A simple priest named Mercurius was elected as the new pope, serving as John I. This marked the beginning of the tradition where popes changed their names upon ascension.
The Origin of "Conclave"
In 1241, a protracted papal election led the Roman ruler to lock the cardinals in a dilapidated building with no toilet facilities or medical care provided. The cardinals voted for a new pope only when one of them passed away and the rulers threatened to exhume the dead cardinal's body. This notorious election resulted in the election of Coelestin IV.
The Longest Wait
The election of Pope Gregory X in 1268-1271 lasted for nearly three years. The cardinals gathered in the papal palace in Viterbo and locked themselves in to force a decision. The frustrated locals tore off the roof to expedite theelection, believing that the Holy Spirit would descend unimpeded.
Rationing, Field Beds, and Communal Baths
Historically, the Conclave was held in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, and since 1878, in the Sistine Chapel. The clergy slept on field beds and shared communal baths, a tradition that continued until Pope John Paul II ordered the construction of Santa Marta guest house in 1978.
Champagne and Chants
Pope John Paul II treated the cardinals to champagne after his election in 1978 and sang Polish folk songs. Pope Benedict XVI welcomed all cardinals to a dinner with song and champagne after his election in 2005.
Growing Shorter and More Secure
The longest Conclave of modern times, the election of Pope Gregory XVI in 1831, lasted 50 days. The election in 1922, lasting five days, resulted in the elevation of Pope Pius XI. More recent elections of Benedict XVI in 2005 and Francis in 2013 each took only two days.
Historically, papal elections were marred by significant corruption, hardships, and ill-treatment of cardinals. Modern reforms and practices have aimed to ensure a more legitimate and secure process, with improved living conditions for the cardinals during the conclave and refinements to the secrecy surrounding the election. Although allegations of politicking still surface, there is no evidence of widespread corruption in modern elections.
- During the papal elections of today, there is no trace of the long-ago corruption and ill-treatment of cardinals, as living conditions have significantly improved since the Conclave in the Apostolic Palace and Sistine Chapel.
- The tradition of popes changing their names upon ascension stemmed from the election of John I in 532, when the simple priest Mercurius was elected after extravagant bribes were given to influence the vote.
- In 1241, the papal election led to the locking of cardinals in a dilapidated building, a notorious event that resulted in the election of Coelestin IV.
- The election of Pope Gregory X in 1268-1271 was the longest in history, lasting nearly three years, during which the cardinals locked themselves in the papal palace in Viterbo, forced to make a decision.
- Since 1878, the location for the papal election has been the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals sleep on field beds and share communal baths – traditions that persisted until the construction of Santa Marta guest house by Pope John Paul II in 1978.
- contemporary papal elections, marked by better living conditions and refinements to election secrecy, have minimized allegations of widespread corruption, unlike the common foreign and security policy era of the past.
