Pope Benedict to resign at the end of the month, Vatican says (http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/11/world/europe/pope-benedict-resignation/index.html?hpt=hp_t1)
QuoteRome (CNN) -- Pope Benedict will resign on February 28, his spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told CNN Monday.
Lombardi did not give a reason for the resignation.
Benedict, the 265th pope, is the sixth German to serve as pope and the first since the 11th century. He has led church after the third-longest papacy in church history and during a time in which the church is declining in his native Europe but expanding in Africa and Latin America.
Obviously more will develop, but this is a bit of a stunner, since no one saw it coming.
they were just talking about it on TV, and noted that the last time a Pope resigned was waaaaay back in 1415.
According to Nostradamus, Benedict is the last pope before Armageddon. Sure hope he's wrong.
I have to wonder if the pertinent infirmity that Benedict refers to is physical or cognitive. He must have had a personal view of what John Paul II went through in his last years including Parkinson's and decline in mental faculties. It must have been very distressing to see a friend in that condition but Benedict would also have been aware of the stress it must have placed on the Church leadership itself and it's ability to respond to world events.
Why did the Pope resign in 1415?
that's a though blow for the Hitler Jugend. :'(
kudos to Benedict if he really does it because of the stated reasons.
I think the Pope was being humble. He was not up to the job physically and mentally (according to his brief statement) so he is setting up an orderly transition of power. It's pretty admirable that he is doing this in the face of hundreds of years of convention that the Pope dies in office.
And the world waits for the cardinals to vote for another vibrant 80 year old - if youth, vigour and an active mind are essential functions of the role, stop picking geriatrics to head the church!!!!!
why would you pic a young one? a 54 year old can easily occupy the octogonal office for 29 years! the Borghese aren't into the poisoning any more.
According to the talking heads on TV, Benedict saw how infirmity affected John Paul II and his inability to deal with the sex abuse scandal. He is said to have resolved himself to not allowing himself to get so old as to not be able to handle any possible problems. Therefore he's stepping down.
Also, apparently his doctor has prohibited him from flying. Not exactly good news for someone whose profession requires globetrotting.
As for the length of time it has taken for a sitting Pope to resign - my first thought was to turn to Undercovergeek for some Crusader Kings II insight.
Quote from: Gusington on February 11, 2013, 08:50:50 AM
Why did the Pope resign in 1415?
There were two men claiming to be Pope then. A deal was made and one resigned. No doubt there was a quid pro quo.
Quote from: undercovergeek on February 11, 2013, 10:25:09 AM
And the world waits for the cardinals to vote for another vibrant 80 year old - if youth, vigour and an active mind are essential functions of the role, stop picking geriatrics to head the church!!!!!
OMG!!! I hope Dan Brown's
Angels and Demons doesn't come true!!! That was without a doubt the downright stupidest
book i ever read in my life!! I suffered from chronic stupidity for a month after I read it.
Anyway it is time for an Irish pope. A young, unemployed, skeezy drunk from Derry would do.
I have a number of cousins whose names I am willing to submit. They need jobs.
^if you listen to his speech in Latin carefully (he have a Latinum certificate from highschool ;D) ...you know that the Grogardis are behind it ....again ;)
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Even scarier...another headline with a question mark? Why do news headlines sound like teenage girls?
Especially on Fox? They pioneered it? But everybody else seems to be getting in the habit?
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/pope-benedict-xvi-retires-canadian-replace-him-140320686.html
Today Ottawa, tomorrow the Vatican and next week or the week after, the Werld, eh!!!
Pends on if my pogey comes in. There's a sale on 50 this week we're playin' shinny if there aren't
too many cars, eh?
Another advantage of retiring now is that a new Pope can be voted in by the end of March (unless there are deadlocks). Waiting until he dies imposes a mourning period, delaying new leadership.
I doubt they'll vote in someone young; for the past few centuries they've tried to reform from being overly politicized by voting in someone who has management and doctrinal experience, and who is generally respected by the bishops and cardinals for what he has accomplished already.
A Latin American or African or Oriental Pope, if a Cardinal or Archbishop can be found with sufficient management experience, would be a good idea. I wouldn't be surprised if the RCC finally votes one in this... um... term? (I don't know the technical word.)
Quote from: MikeGER on February 11, 2013, 11:30:56 AM
^if you listen to his speech in Latin carefully (he have a Latinum certificate from highschool ;D) ...you know that the Grogardis are behind it ....again ;)
We caught him reselling bibles online that he had received for free.
{chuckle}
What I keep wondering is: Why is he quitting so suddenly?
From what I've read so far, it sounds like even the cardinals that were in the room when Benedict made the announcement had no idea what he was about to say, and were completely stunned by the news. You'd think he would've given them at least a little advance notice.
Quote from: LongBlade on February 11, 2013, 10:50:06 AM
As for the length of time it has taken for a sitting Pope to resign - my first thought was to turn to Undercovergeek for some Crusader Kings II insight.
hell, everytime i assassinate one, another one just pops up - im a big fan of the anti-pope option
Quote from: MetalDog on February 11, 2013, 06:46:55 AM
According to Nostradamus, Benedict is the last pope before Armageddon. Sure hope he's wrong.
Why? Is the next one supposed to be the Anti-Christ, or something?
Quote from: mirth on February 11, 2013, 01:51:37 PM
Quote from: MikeGER on February 11, 2013, 11:30:56 AM
^if you listen to his speech in Latin carefully (he have a Latinum certificate from highschool ;D) ...you know that the Grogardis are behind it ....again ;)
We caught him reselling bibles online that he had received for free.
Oh that is so priceless.
Quote from: Martok on February 11, 2013, 03:11:48 PM
What I keep wondering is: Why is he quitting so suddenly?
From what I've read so far, it sounds like even the cardinals that were in the room when Benedict made the announcement had no idea what he was about to say, and were completely stunned by the news. You'd think he would've given them at least a little advance notice.
He's old. He looks old. IMHO he's the first pope in six centuries to be wise enough to quit before he lost it completely. Good for him.
A real Pope would have just rolled with it and given us all another 10-15 years of bizarre behavior to chuckle about. Amateur.
We didn't want to see him wearing his depends over his Papal robes.
I retired and I am a damn sight younger than him.
Give him a break, he was at the end of his rope.
On a serious note, I've heard in the news that he is planning to retire to a cloistered order and spend the rest of his days in prayer after he steps down. As a Catholic, this is exactly what I would expect him to do.
At the age of 85, he does not have a vote in the College of Cardinals.
We need a maximum voter's age as well.
Mirth did you just type the Pope was at the end of his rope...on purpose? Jenius[tm].
Quote from: Gusington on February 11, 2013, 10:31:00 PM
Mirth did you just type the Pope was at the end of his rope...on purpose? Jenius[tm].
Nobody gets me but you.
Hold me.
Closer Tiny Dancer.
Yes! And you probably mis-hear the lyrics as "Hold me closer Tony Danza" too, I bet.
Don't lie.
cleanup in aisle gay.
He is going to get a job consulting with Orville Redenbacher.
Quote from: mirth on February 11, 2013, 10:33:34 PM
Quote from: Gusington on February 11, 2013, 10:31:00 PM
Mirth did you just type the Pope was at the end of his rope...on purpose? Jenius[tm].
Nobody gets me but you.
it wasnt worthy of recognition - i check to see if Bobs online, he isnt, and then only to find ive been Bobbed by Mirth - will the punnery never end??
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Quote from: bayonetbrant on February 12, 2013, 06:38:56 AM
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OK, that's very funny :D
Quote from: airboy on February 11, 2013, 07:59:25 PM
On a serious note, I've heard in the news that he is planning to retire to a cloistered order and spend the rest of his days in prayer after he steps down. As a Catholic, this is exactly what I would expect him to do.
Cool! I'm kind of jealous.
Though I would have expected him to concentrate even more on writing books. But maybe he doesn't want to do anything that would seem to compete with the next one.
Quote from: JasonPratt on February 12, 2013, 11:10:02 AM
Quote from: airboy on February 11, 2013, 07:59:25 PM
On a serious note, I've heard in the news that he is planning to retire to a cloistered order and spend the rest of his days in prayer after he steps down. As a Catholic, this is exactly what I would expect him to do.
Cool! I'm kind of jealous.
Though I would have expected him to concentrate even more on writing books. But maybe he doesn't want to do anything that would seem to compete with the next one.
hes missing out on the opportunity to be introduced at dinner parties as the Ex-pope, and that sounds quite cool as an ice breaker
He needs to write a book about the Bin Laden Op !
Maybe he will meet a nice young nun and settle down to raise a family of little popes.
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QuoteLightning strikes St. Peter's basilica during a storm in the Vatican City on Feb. 11, 2013, the same day Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on February 12, 2013, 03:33:36 PM
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QuoteLightning strikes St. Peter's basilica during a storm in the Vatican City on Feb. 11, 2013, the same day Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation.
Message for you Your Holiness...aarrrggghhhh!
Quote from: bayonetbrant on February 12, 2013, 03:33:36 PM
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QuoteLightning strikes St. Peter's basilica during a storm in the Vatican City on Feb. 11, 2013, the same day Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation.
Curious. I wonder whether the message was one of approval or disapproval?
It was probably a message for Windy on climate change.
The Lord warmeth and the Lord taketh the warmeth away.
Start praying. But I'll give you a hint. It is not in Her job description.
WHICHEVER CANDIDATE Y'ALL WERE JUST THINKING ABOUT--NOT HIM!!
Colbert weighs in
http://ca.omg.yahoo.com/news/stephen-colbert-says-pope-cant-canadian-210028613.html
Quote from: JasonPratt on February 12, 2013, 05:12:53 PM
WHICHEVER CANDIDATE Y'ALL WERE JUST THINKING ABOUT--NOT HIM!!
Ha!
Quote from: LongBlade on February 11, 2013, 05:57:53 PM
Quote from: Martok on February 11, 2013, 03:11:48 PM
What I keep wondering is: Why is he quitting so suddenly?
From what I've read so far, it sounds like even the cardinals that were in the room when Benedict made the announcement had no idea what he was about to say, and were completely stunned by the news. You'd think he would've given them at least a little advance notice.
He's old. He looks old. IMHO he's the first pope in six centuries to be wise enough to quit before he lost it completely. Good for him.
Oh I'm not criticizing. Indeed, I'm glad he has the ability to recognize he could no longer do the job -- and the courage to actually step down while still of sound mind.
I'm just puzzled that he apparently gave absolutely no prior warning to any of the cardinals before announcing his retirement. Given that they only have a little over 6 weeks to choose a new pope -- a weighty decision, to be sure -- the electors would probably have appreciated even a day or two's advance notice to starting thinking/planning for the future.
Maybe Benedict felt there was no way to keep the news quiet for even that long...?
Quote from: LongBlade on February 12, 2013, 07:19:55 PM
Quote from: JasonPratt on February 12, 2013, 05:12:53 PM
WHICHEVER CANDIDATE Y'ALL WERE JUST THINKING ABOUT--NOT HIM!!
Ha!
I'm confused. Could one of y'all please explain the reference for those of us who don't get it?
Quote from: undercovergeek on February 12, 2013, 11:13:35 AMhes missing out on the opportunity to be introduced at dinner parties as the Ex-pope, and that sounds quite cool as an ice breaker
More seriously along the same line, I was thinking last night that in his shoes I'd move with a small hermetic group to Iran or some other prominently troublesome Muslim country and set up a kitchen to feed the poor for the rest of my life, while abiding by their dhimmi rules against proactive evangelization. True, I'd probably get a rocket in the face within a week (or more problematically I might get kidnapped and tortured for information to use against my international allies, which would be the main reason not to try), but the gesture would be highly respected by Muslim teachers of goodwill, and would fit the Pope's interest (along with his predecessor JP2, and their spiritual mentors and inspirations such as Balthasar, Hryniewicz, and Gregory Nyssus) in ecumenical outreach and hope of universal reconciliation.
Naturally he'd have to leave behind instructions that if he gets a rocket in the face, that shouldn't be regarded as grounds for war (since otherwise his goals would be undermined). ;)
Quote from: Martok on February 13, 2013, 07:56:24 AMI'm just puzzled that he apparently gave absolutely no prior warning to any of the cardinals before announcing his retirement. Given that they only have a little over 6 weeks to choose a new pope -- a weighty decision, to be sure -- the electors would probably have appreciated even a day or two's advance notice to starting thinking/planning for the future.
my gut says that he was disappointed with some of the backroom politicking that happened before his (s)election, and figured if there was no warning, there was no time for shenanigans before his successor was chosen.
Quote from: Martok on February 13, 2013, 07:56:24 AM
I'm confused. Could one of y'all please explain the reference for those of us who don't get it?
the lightening on page 3 - its god saying - which ever candidate you were thinking blah blah blah
keep up man!
Quote from: JasonPratt on February 13, 2013, 09:12:26 AM
Quote from: undercovergeek on February 12, 2013, 11:13:35 AMhes missing out on the opportunity to be introduced at dinner parties as the Ex-pope, and that sounds quite cool as an ice breaker
More seriously along the same line, I was thinking last night that in his shoes I'd move with a small hermetic group to Iran or some other prominently troublesome Muslim country and set up a kitchen to feed the poor for the rest of my life, while abiding by their dhimmi rules against proactive evangelization. True, I'd probably get a rocket in the face within a week (or more problematically I might get kidnapped and tortured for information to use against my international allies, which would be the main reason not to try), but the gesture would be highly respected by Muslim teachers of goodwill, and would fit the Pope's interest (along with his predecessor JP2, and their spiritual mentors and inspirations such as Balthasar, Hryniewicz, and Gregory Nyssus) in ecumenical outreach and hope of universal reconciliation.
Naturally he'd have to leave behind instructions that if he gets a rocket in the face, that shouldn't be regarded as grounds for war (since otherwise his goals would be undermined). ;)
peh, just move into a terrace house in a mainly catholic area of say Liverpool, and just be seen going to the shops in your slippers and PJs for the milk and papers
Quote from: bayonetbrant on February 13, 2013, 09:20:50 AM
Quote from: Martok on February 13, 2013, 07:56:24 AMI'm just puzzled that he apparently gave absolutely no prior warning to any of the cardinals before announcing his retirement. Given that they only have a little over 6 weeks to choose a new pope -- a weighty decision, to be sure -- the electors would probably have appreciated even a day or two's advance notice to starting thinking/planning for the future.
my gut says that he was disappointed with some of the backroom politicking that happened before his (s)election, and figured if there was no warning, there was no time for shenanigans before his successor was chosen.
You have to view this through the eyes of a devout Catholic who is thinking about the Church calendar and his duties as the heir of St. Peter rather than contemporary politics. I know this is hard to do, but the Church has been around for more than 2,000 years and its world view is very different from a secular view.
The new Pope would be installed before Easter. This is very important to Christians. The selection is usually pretty rapid. The delays in selecting a new Pope are usually caused by the funeral schedule and the period of mourning after the death.
I also disagree that there was a lot of backroom politicking for Benedit's election. It was an unusually rapid selection with very few rounds of balloting. The choice of Benedit was a pretty easy one for the College of Cardinals.
A selection period during Lent is also very appropriate spiritually if you actually are choosing a tme instead of filling the seat due to the death of the previous Pope.
I still think he spotted a nun in the crowd and decided it was time for a career change.
Quote from: Longdan on February 13, 2013, 12:19:22 PMI still think he spotted a nun in the crowd and decided it was time for a career change.
Dan - lets not take unnecessary shots at someone's faith. I know you were once a Catholic, so you might see it as self-deprecating, but others might not know that about you and see it as you being disrespectful.
thanks
{mod hat off}
Brant. Always trying to be the voice of sanity. Sigh. Somebody has to have principles I guess. Thank you.
Sorry to make offense. I tend to think Catholics are pretty secure in the face of that kind
of ribbing. I would appreciate it if you would publicly scold the next person who calls me an assh*le
or something similar.
Anyway as an ethnic Catholic I believe he is showing a good deal of grace and good judgement
to step down when he still has his cognizant abilities and can appoint a worthy successor.
Perhaps the Vatican needs to take a less European approach to its leadership.
The church has not seemed to be a big part of life in modern Europe, at least not where I go.
Quote from: JasonPratt on February 12, 2013, 05:12:53 PM
WHICHEVER CANDIDATE Y'ALL WERE JUST THINKING ABOUT--NOT HIM!!
LOL - coffee spew!
Quote from: airboy on February 11, 2013, 07:59:25 PM
On a serious note, I've heard in the news that he is planning to retire to a cloistered order and spend the rest of his days in prayer after he steps down. As a Catholic, this is exactly what I would expect him to do.
At the age of 85, he does not have a vote in the College of Cardinals.
I agree. If he doesn't feel he is up to the job because of his health, it is entirely rational that he retires and gives what must be a potentially demanding job to someone with more energy.
I'm simply amazed it has take 600 years for someone to figure out that, at some point, they might be too old for the task.
Quote from: Longdan on February 13, 2013, 03:53:35 PM
Brant. Always trying to be the voice of sanity.
epic fail
Quote from: LongBlade on February 12, 2013, 03:39:01 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on February 12, 2013, 03:33:36 PM
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QuoteLightning strikes St. Peter's basilica during a storm in the Vatican City on Feb. 11, 2013, the same day Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation.
Curious. I wonder whether the message was one of approval or disapproval?
Immagine a lightning striking one of the tallest structures in Rome during a thunderstorm. What are the odds?
Quote from: Longdan on February 13, 2013, 03:53:35 PM
Anyway as an ethnic Catholic
I beg your pardon. I don't think there's such a thing.
Quote from: mirth on February 11, 2013, 07:31:58 PM
Give him a break, he was at the end of his rope.
Yes! Ba-boom-boom, tischh!
Quote from: pawelj on February 27, 2013, 08:31:54 AM
Quote from: Longdan on February 13, 2013, 03:53:35 PM
Anyway as an ethnic Catholic
I beg your pardon. I don't think there's such a thing.
How else would you describe it for a person of Irish descent?
Here's a stroll down memory lane for some of us...Popes in the Pizza Contest (http://vimeo.com/59509411).
...and on a serious note, as a [non-practicing] Catholic, my best wishes to the soon-to-be 'emeritus pope'. I think he is doing the right thing by stepping down if he feels he can't fulfill his duties.
Soon he and Orville Redenbacher will be marketing special Pope Corn and he will be making millions.
Quote from: Longdan on February 27, 2013, 12:34:13 PM
Quote from: pawelj on February 27, 2013, 08:31:54 AM
Quote from: Longdan on February 13, 2013, 03:53:35 PM
Anyway as an ethnic Catholic
I beg your pardon. I don't think there's such a thing.
How else would you describe it for a person of Irish descent?
Person of Irish descent. There are protestant Irish, even in the South.
Quote from: pawelj on February 28, 2013, 09:04:49 AM
Quote from: Longdan on February 27, 2013, 12:34:13 PM
Quote from: pawelj on February 27, 2013, 08:31:54 AM
Quote from: Longdan on February 13, 2013, 03:53:35 PM
Anyway as an ethnic Catholic
I beg your pardon. I don't think there's such a thing.
How else would you describe it for a person of Irish descent?
Person of Irish descent. There are protestant Irish, even in the South.
Some are practicing, some are ethnic.
He stepped down yesterday. He vowed to be obedient to the next Pope.
I think this was a profoundly humble thing to do. He recognized his inability to fully carry out his office and stepped down. How many people in human history have ever voluntarily stepped away when they held high office?
PS - Maybe the Pope decided to give up being Pope for Lent?
according to his brother he did not only step down because of health issues.
Quote from: airboy on March 01, 2013, 03:02:15 PM
How many people in human history have ever voluntarily stepped away when they held high office?
Agreed. It takes true courage and wisdom to relinquish power at the appropriate time. It is an amazing act after 600 years of precedent in the other direction.
Quote from: LongBlade on March 01, 2013, 03:58:40 PM
Quote from: airboy on March 01, 2013, 03:02:15 PM
How many people in human history have ever voluntarily stepped away when they held high office?
Agreed. It takes true courage and wisdom to relinquish power at the appropriate time. It is an amazing act after 600 years of precedent in the other direction.
2 years from now well find out REALLY why he decided to go
Something about fixed bingo games no doubt.
I hope history recognizes his prudence and humility. As a former Catholic, I also hope that this makes him a tough act to follow. The bureaucratic infighting that determines Catholic World Doctrine is unworthy of the sacrifice that local priests and parishes make in all the forgotten corners of the world.
Quote from: undercovergeek on March 01, 2013, 04:07:04 PM
2 years from now well find out REALLY why he decided to go
...you forgot two zeros ;)
200 years from now well find out REALLY why he decided to go... well, if they use good'ol paper and no digital archives.
it was 'rumored' in our news: inside the Vatican organisations (or better called a firm) are some high-rank
rotten apples, with a lot of backstabbing, power-mongering, and even a gay-network including non-clerics, who are able to blackmail/influence their clerical (darkroom)friends... Benedict, had three confidants ordered to stake out and uncover those activities for some longer time period, and got the final 300 pages report recently on 12/17.
With his age and health condition, he porbably thought he doesn't has the strength left to clean out his house for good. (which also had to be done slooowly and unnoticeable for the public too)
He classified that report as "FYEO" for only the next Pope to read.
Had to happen.
There is a game on electing the Pope.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/left-out-of-official-catholic-conclave-these-ladies-play-the-pope-game/2013/03/01/26b6ec86-827b-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df_story.html?hpid=z5
Quote from: MikeGER on March 02, 2013, 04:39:49 AM
Quote from: undercovergeek on March 01, 2013, 04:07:04 PM
2 years from now well find out REALLY why he decided to go
...you forgot two zeros ;)
200 years from now well find out REALLY why he decided to go... well, if they use good'ol paper and no digital archives.
it was 'rumored' in our news: inside the Vatican organisations (or better called a firm) are some high-rank rotten apples, with a lot of backstabbing, power-mongering, and even a gay-network including non-clerics, who are able to blackmail/influence their clerical (darkroom)friends... Benedict, had three confidants ordered to stake out and uncover those activities for some longer time period, and got the final 300 pages report recently on 12/17.
With his age and health condition, he porbably thought he doesn't has the strength left to clean out his house for good. (which also had to be done slooowly and unnoticeable for the public too)
He classified that report as "FYEO" for only the next Pope to read.
That great writer of this age
Dan Brown (I cannot believe this guy was an english prof) will blow the lid off the whole thing.
The fact that he sold so many of his incredibly stupid books is a commentary on the dumbing down of modern society.
Eh, I can believe DB is an English prof: his prose is competently tight and the chapter structures are well designed (at least in TDVC, i haven't read his other books), and he thinks he knows vastly much more about everything than other people do, if only the system wasn't holding him back from exposing the real truth of everything TO THE WORRRLLLLDD! ;)
Meanwhile, back on topic -- yeah, I heard about the Pope's special report, but it hadn't yet occurred to me that he might have resigned early rather than try to deal with it. God help whoever gets elected next.
Fun ironic fact: back when he was Cardinal Ratzinger, the Pope was head of the doctrinal department which had previously run the Inquisition, whose original mission had been to root out corruption in the Church. I guess he Inquisited too much as Pope (and not enough as a Cardinal).
Come to think of it, the existence of that FYEO report will probably make a significant effect on the very backroom politicking he had researched and wanted to stop. :( Imagine how much paranoia is involved in the process now -- the guy who gets elected gets access to the Inquiry results!
Fake Cardinal caught sneaking into Vatican conclave (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/03/05/cardinal-impostor-caught-sneaking-into-vatican-conclave/?test=latestnews)
Even an event such as this draws out the idiots/nutjobs....
To ease the suspense/waiting of the conclave, here's a little Pope trivia:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9922436/Pope-election-conclave-trivia.html
Quote
Longest conclave
In 1268, a conclave began that lasted nearly three years - 33 months, to be exact.
Pope Gregory X was elected pope, but not before residents of Viterbo, north of Rome, tore the roof off the building where the cardinals were staying and restricted their meals to bread and water to make them hurry up.
Hoping to avoid a repeat, Gregory decreed in 1274 that cardinals would only get one meal a day if the conclave stretched beyond three days, and served bread, water and wine if it went beyond eight.
While the meals served these days at the Vatican's hotel are by no means gourmet, the cardinals won't go hungry - no matter how long they take picking a pope.
Shortest conclave
Before 1274, there were times when a pope was elected the same day as the death of his predecessor. After that, however, the church decided to wait at least 10 days before the first vote; later that was stretched to 15 days to give all cardinals time to get to Rome.
The quickest conclave observing the 10-day wait rule appears to have been the 1503 election of Julius II, who was elected in just a few hours, according to Vatican historian Ambrogio Piazzoni.
Youngest and oldest Popes elected
Pope John XII was just 18 when he was elected in 955. :o The oldest popes were Pope Celestine III (elected in 1191) and Celestine V (elected in 1294) who were both nearly 85.
Benedict XVI was 78 when he was elected in 2005.
Other conclave trivia
The last time a pope was elected who wasn't a cardinal was Urban VI in 1378 - he was a monk and archbishop of Bari.
Pope Pius XII, who was pope during World War II, left a document informing the College of Cardinals that they should hold a conclave and elect a new pope if he were taken prisoner.
While the Italians have had a stranglehold on the papacy over centuries, there have been many exceptions aside from John Paul II (Polish in 1978) and Benedict XVI (German in 2005). Alexander VI, elected in 1492, was Spanish; Gregory III, elected in 731, was Syrian; Adrian VI, elected in 1522, was from the Netherlands.