Following the death of Pope Francis, all eyes are on the Vatican and one of the oldest rituals of the Catholic Church: the conclave, the meeting of cardinals convened to elect the new pope in total confidentiality and isolation. Speculation about who will be the successor of Jorge Mario Bergoglio increases as the election moment approaches.
A fascinating story occurred in the city of Viterbo, north of Rome, during the 13th century, where the longest papal election in history took place, filled with intrigue, conflict, and even deceased individuals. After nearly three years of discussions, Gregory X was proclaimed as Pope.
During this historic event, strict rules were established for the cardinals. They had to remain guarded and cut off from communication in the palace where the pope died, and could only leave once they had elected a successor. If the election did not take place within certain days, the cardinals' meals would gradually be reduced to just bread, water, and wine.
Unfortunately, due to the precarious conditions, three cardinals died by the end of the summer of 1270. After two years and nine months of the election process, it was decided to delegate the selection of the pope to a six-member committee, choosing Theobald Visconti as Pope Gregory X, even though he was neither a cardinal nor present in Italy at that time.
Gregory X, who had a deep understanding of the European political situation, established new rules for conclaves in order to avoid prolonged processes. It was thanks to him that the term "conclave" was coined for the first time, and the basic rules that are followed today were established.
The story of the election of Pope Gregory X in Viterbo reminds us of a tense and prolonged moment in the history of the Catholic Church, marked by internal divisions and power struggles between Italian and French cardinals, reflecting the political tensions of the time.