Thousands of Years of Papal Elections: From Bribery, Prison Beds to Champagne Toasts
Contest for the Papacy infiltrated with bribes, bed chambers, and champagne
Get ready for the upcoming Papal election, as it brings a new wave of dynamics to the Catholic Church. In the past, conclaves could last for years, marked by bribery and hardship. The shortest such event today takes less than a week. Potential reforms could further alter this process.
White Dove, Not White Smoke
When the faithful gathered in Rome to discuss a new Pope in 236 AD, a white dove landed on the head of the uninvolved layman Fabian. The faithful interpreted this as a divine sign, electing him as Pope.
Bribery and Manipulation
In the early Church, Popes were chosen by members of the clergy and the Roman aristocracy, often leading to manipulation. One of the most infamous elections took place in 532, following the death of Pope Bonifatius II. According to author P.G. Maxwell-Stuart in his "Chronicles of the Popes," this election was marred by "bribery of royal officials and influential senators." A simple priest named Mercurius was eventually chosen as the new Church leader and is known as Pope Johannes I, the first Pope to change his name.
Elections by Cardinals
Pope Nikolaus II established in 1059 that only cardinals could participate in future elections. To this day, any baptized male Catholic can theoretically become Pope, but in reality, only cardinals have been elected for nearly 650 years.
Locked Away
The term "conclave" comes from the Latin "cum clave" (with key). When the election in 1241 dragged on, the ruler of Rome locked the cardinals away in a dilapidated building and refused to clean the toilets or provide medical help to sick cardinals. According to historian Frederic Baumgartner, the cardinals reached a decision only when one of them died, and the Romans threatened to exhume his body. After 70 days, the election concluded with the selection of Coelestin IV.
Longest Conclave
Following the death of Pope Clemens IV in 1268, it took almost three years to elect his successor, Gregor X. By the end of 1269, the cardinals had isolated themselves in the Papal Palace in Viterbo to reach a decision. Frustrated locals tore off the roof of the building to speed up the election, perhaps inspired by an English cardinal's observation that without the roof, the Holy Spirit could freely descend.
Spartan Diet
Pope Gregory X changed the rules for papal elections following the chaos that led to his own election. He decreed that the cardinals should meet within ten days of the Pope's death and ordered their food supply to be reduced gradually. After five days, the meals were limited to bread, water, and wine.
Field Beds and Communal Baths
Historically, the conclave was held in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The clergy slept on field beds and shared communal baths. Pope Francis resided at the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse, which Pope John Paul II built in 1978. Since then, the cardinals have been accommodated there during the conclave.
Champagne and Songs
Pope John Paul II treated the cardinals to champagne after his first appearance as Pontiff on St. Peter's Square and sang Polish folk songs. Following his election in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI invited all the cardinals to a dinner with songs and champagne, as reported by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor.
Growing Shorter
The longest conclave of modern times was in 1831, lasting 50 days to elect Pope Gregory XVI. The longest vote in the 20th century, in 1922, took only five days, resulting in the election of Pope Pius XI. The elections of Popes Benedict XVI in 2005 and Francis in 2013 each took two days before white smoke signaled a decision.
Sources: ntv.de, Alice Ritchie, AFP
Catholic Church, Christianity
Historical Context:
In the early Christian era, bishops, including the Bishop of Rome, were often selected through acclamation by the community. Over time, the process became more formalized.
Reforms and Codification:
- 11th Century Reforms: Pope Nicholas II's decree in 1059 limited the role of the emperor in papal elections, assigning the election to cardinal bishops with the assent of other cardinals and the acclamation of the people[3].
- 12th Century Turmoil: Despite reforms, papal elections were often tumultuous, leading to schisms and the appointment of popes and antipopes. The Third Lateran Council in 1179 made all cardinals electors and required a two-thirds majority[3].
Emergence of the Modern Conclave:
- 1271 and Gregory X: After a prolonged period without a pope, local authorities pressured cardinals into electing Gregory X in 1271. He established a new procedure for papal elections, mandating cardinals to meet in a closed conclave[2][3].
- Gregory X's Constitution: At the Second Council of Lyon in 1274, Gregory X promulgated a constitution requiring cardinals to meet in seclusion. This was later incorporated into canon law by Pope Boniface VIII[3].
Modern Practices:
- Secrecy and Isolation: The conclave is known for its secrecy and isolation. Cardinals are confined until a decision is made, and all forms of communication with the outside world are strictly controlled[1][2].
- Ballot Incineration: After each round, ballots are burned. White smoke indicates a successful election, while black smoke signals a failure to reach a majority[2].
- Cuisine and Restrictions: Nuns prepare meals for the cardinals, and certain items like pies and utensils are banned to prevent hidden messages[2].
Contemporary Significance:
The Papal Conclave remains a unique and sacred process, symbolizing the Church's belief in divine guidance. The structure of the conclave, often held in the Sistine Chapel, represents the cardinals' detachment from worldly concerns and openness to spiritual inspiration[1].
- The Catholic Church, as early as 236 AD, has seen elections influenced by divine signs, such as a white dove landing on Fabian, electing him as Pope.
- Historically, Popes were often chosen due to bribery and manipulation, as demonstrated by the election of Pope Johannes I in 532, marred by bribery of influential senators and royal officials.
- Cardinals, who have been the primary electors for nearly 650 years, were first mandated to participate in elections by Pope Nikolaus II in 1059.
- The common foreign and security policy of the European Union could be compared to the modern-day Papal elections, both following strict rules and procedures to ensure fair and peaceful decision-making, while maintaining a level of secrecy and isolation.
