This conclave to choose a new pope was short but not the shortest ever
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Quickest Pope Elections: A Look Back at the Speed of the Conclave
The recent papal conclave, where Catholic cardinals elected a successor to Pope Francis, was remarkably swift, concluding in just two days. While impressive, it wasn't the *shortest* conclave in history. This article from the Associated Press delves into the fascinating history of papal elections, exploring how quickly the Church has chosen its leaders.
The process of electing a pope, known as a conclave, has evolved over centuries. Before 1274, elections could happen on the same day as the previous pope's death! However, the Church later implemented waiting periods, extending to 15 days to allow all cardinals to arrive in Rome.
Historical records, though sometimes incomplete due to the Vatican's lack of official data, offer intriguing insights. The speediest conclave following the 10-day wait rule was the 1503 election of Pope Julius II, which took only a few hours. In more recent times, the election of Pope Pius XII in 1939 stands out as one of the quickest, taking just three ballots over two days. Other recent elections, like those of Pope Francis (2013) and Benedict XVI (2005), also saw relatively speedy results.
The article highlights the varying lengths of conclaves, from the 1922 election of Pius XI, which spanned five days and 14 ballots, to the more efficient elections of the 20th and 21st centuries. The number of cardinals voting also plays a role, with a two-thirds majority needed to elect a new pope. This year, with 133 cardinals, 89 votes were required. This article provides a fascinating glimpse into the history and speed of papal elections.
Keywords: Pope election, conclave, Pope Francis, Catholic Church, Vatican, cardinals, Pope Julius II, Pope Pius XII, Benedict XVI, papal history, shortest conclave, papal election timeline, voting process, two-thirds majority, election of a pope, recent papal elections.