He Vatican began a new conclave this Wednesday, May 7 to choose the successor of the Pope Francis. While thousands of faithful expect expecttes in the Plaza San Pedro, the 133 cardinals participate in the second voting day and it is expected that The process lasts no more than three days. The same happened with the choice of Jorge Bergoglio In 2013, which was defined in just two days.
But not always ecclesiastical decisions were so agile. In 1268the longest conclave in historywhich extended by almost three years And he concluded only in 1271 With the choice of a Little expected pontiff as is the case of Gregorio x.
How was the longest conclave in history
During that process, which was developed in the Italian city of Viterbounusual episodes, political tensions and even deaths within the Cardenalicio College occurred. Of the 20 Cardinals that began deliberation, Only 17 came alive in the end. One died during the vacant headquarterswhile two others died in 1269already with the vote in progress.
The background conflict had ideological roots. The cardinals were divided among the supporters of Franceheirs of the deceased Pope thought URBAN IVand the sector Italianwhich sought to avoid foreign interference in the policy of the papacy. The French had a majority, but they did not reach the two thirds necessary to choose potatoes. Thus an institutional paralysis was installed that seemed to have no end.
Unlike the current conclaves, the Viterbo It was not performed in total confinement. The cardinals voted sporadically, Once a dayand then they returned to their homes. This lack of urgency caused the outrage of the local authorities, which implemented extreme methods to press them.
In 1269the prefect Ranieri Gatti And the podestá Alberto de Montebono They decided to take action on the matter: they ordered that He will kidnap the cardinals And they will be locked in the Papal palacewhere they would remain until they reach an agreement. But even this forced confinement failed.
That same year, the cardinals asked that he move to the patient Enrico Bartolomeidue to its delicate state of health. The situation remained stagnant, and despair generated rumors: it was said that to accelerate the decision, an authority sent to reduce the amount of food and waterand even that one of the cardinals requested that They will remove the roof from the building to expose them to the weather and force consensus.
The chosen pope who did not want to take office
In the midst of the process, there was also a striking anecdote in which the cardinals voted for Philip Benizi de Damianibut he, upon learning of his choice, He fled from Viterbo Not to assume the cargeither. It was an unusual gesture that further delayed the definition.
Just the September 1, 1271after Felipe III of France intervened politically, the Cardenalicio College agreed to give its authority to a Six members committee. This commission marginalized the French and opted for an unexpected exit: they chose as Pope to Tebaldo Viscontian Italian who It wasn’t even a cardinal then.
The new Pontiff adopted the name of Gregorio X, and the March 27, 1272 He was officially crowned. His choice marked a before and after in the history of the Church.
That conclave, in addition to its extraordinary duration, left a fundamental legacy. Is considered by many historians as The first modern conclavesince from that episode the foundations of the current rules were established to accelerate papal elections, such as the Mandatory isolation of the cardinals and the continuous sessions until defining a new religious leader.
Viterbo’s “eternal confinement” not only resolved a crisis, but transformed the way the Church defines its highest authority. A choice that took three years to resolve, but that changed forever the norms of the most influential spiritual power in the world.
San Pedro Square
Expectation for the conclave in the Plaza de San Pedro: hundreds of faithful wait for the new Pope
Hundreds of faithful and tourists approached, from the early hours of Thursday, to the Plaza de San Pedro del Vaticano, waiting for the Third smoke of the conclavewhich will also be the second of this day. After the black smoke that left the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the morning, the attention is put in the small duct that, at any time, I could dye the sky of Rome white, announcing the choice of the new Pope.
Although the square is not completely full, the constant flow of people who cross security controls predicts a massive day. The most enthusiastic are rushed to occupy the first rows in front of the basilica, In search of a privileged view of the fireplace that appears on the roof of the Sistine Chapel.
Source: Ambito
