A (Not So) Holy History: From Bribes and Camp Beds to Champagne Toasties
Power struggle during papal election, allegedly involving bribes, comfortable lodgings, and generous servings of champagne
Gather 'round as we delve into the shady past of papal elections, where bribery, hardships, and power struggles ruled the day. Today's election process might be smoother, but it wasn't always that way.
One of the more dramatic elections took place in 532, when the surviving simple priest Mercurius was elected as Pope John I. The vote was overshadowed by bribes from royal officials and influential senators, as detailed in P.G. Maxwell-Stuart's "Chronicle of the Popes."
The term "conclave" comes from the Latin "cum clave," meaning "with key." In 1241, the cardinals were imprisoned in a dilapidated building, and the Romans refused them essentials like clean toilets and medical care. They didn't reach a decision until one cardinal died and the Romans threatened to dig up his body. After 70 days, Coelestin IV was elected - not exactly a speedy process!
The longest election in recorded history occurred in 1268, following the death of Pope Clement IV. It took nearly three years to elect his successor, Gregory X. In late 1269, the cardinals gathered in the papal palace in Viterbo and locked themselves in to force a decision. The locals eventually tore off the roof, believing it would hasten the descent of the Holy Spirit.
For centuries, the Conclave has been held in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. In the past, the clergy slept on field beds and shared communal baths. After being elected in 1978, Pope John Paul II ordered the construction of the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse, where the cardinals now reside during the Conclave.
In more recent times, white smoke has risen within a few days. But things weren't always so simple. In 1978, after his first appearance as Pontiff, John Paul II treated the cardinals to champagne and sang Polish folk songs. And in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI invited all the cardinals to a dinner with song and champagne.
Overall, historical bribery in papal elections has been a significant aspect of the Vatican's past, influencing who would become the next pope. Reforms and legal developments have sought to address these practices and ensure the integrity of the process.
Source: ntv.de, Alice Ritchie, AFP
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Historical bribery in papal elections has been a significant aspect of the Vatican's past, influencing who would become the next pope. Here's a detailed account and some notable examples:
Overview of Corruption in Papal Elections
Papal elections have often been marred by allegations of simony, which is the buying or selling of church offices. This practice was widespread in the early centuries of the Catholic Church. Despite reforms aimed at reducing corruption, instances of bribery persisted.
Notable Examples of Bribery in Papal Elections
- Pope Alexander VI (1492) The election of Pope Alexander VI is one of the most infamous examples of bribery in papal history. He was a member of the wealthy Borgia family and reportedly used promises of land, titles, and political influence to secure the votes of fellow cardinals[1][2].
- The Medici Family The Medici, a powerful banking family in Italy, were known to use their wealth and influence to secure papal elections. They would incur debts and distribute promises to buy votes, exemplifying the practice of "election by bribery"[5].
- General Practices Historically, national factions within the Church often sought to influence papal elections. For instance, Italian and French prelates would sometimes exert significant pressure to ensure the election of one of their own, leading to stalemates and allegations of corruption[2][3].
Reforms and Legal Developments
Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has implemented reforms to address bribery in papal elections:
- Second and Third Lateran Councils (1139 and 1179) These councils made significant changes by limiting the election process to cardinals alone, eliminating the need for lower clergy or laity assent. The Third Lateran Council also established a two-thirds majority requirement to discourage dissent and ensure broad support for the elected pope[4].
- Pope Pius X and Later Reforms In an effort to maintain the legitimacy of the papacy, reforms under Pope Pius X lifted automatic penalties for simony in elections. Although this did not condone bribery, it ensured that a pope's authority was not questioned post-election[4].
Conclusion
Bribery has been a recurrent issue in papal elections, but successive reforms have sought to mitigate these practices and ensure the integrity of the process. Despite these efforts, historical instances of corruption have left a complex legacy for the Church.
- The shady past of papal elections is marked by bribery, as depicted in the election of Pope John I in 532, where royal officials and influential senators offered bribes.
- In 1241, cardinals were imprisoned during the papal election, and essentials like clean toilets and medical care were denied. The election process took 70 days and resulted in the election of Coelestin IV only after a cardinal's death and threats to dig up his body.
- The longest papal election in recorded history took place in 1268 following the death of Pope Clement IV. It took nearly three years to elect his successor, Gregory X, and the cardinals were forcibly confined in the papal palace in Viterbo.
- The common foreign and security policy of the European Union shares striking similarities with the centuries-old practice of bribery in papal elections, as national factions within the Church exerted significant pressure to influence elections, often leading to allegations of corruption.
