
The waiting is over – now the WAITING has begun!
We've seen the last of the Cardinals until one of them emerges as pope. Â Ahead of that here's some facts you may not know to help while away the time until we see the first of the Holy Smoke!
- This is the 25th conclave to be held in the Sistine Chapel
- Cardinals are electing the 266th Pope
- Pope Gregory XIV banned betting on the conclave – under pain of excommunication – in 1591. But canon law was overhauled in 1918 and the ban is no longer in force
- The longest conclave lasted 33 months, starting in 1268. Pope Gregory X was elected
- The shortest took just a few hours, when Julius II was elected in 1503
- The Catholic Church has chosen popes via conclave for about 750 years – the longest-running method of choosing a leader of any institution, according the Election Law Journal
From Becky in Rome
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Becky
So sorry that they did not let you finish the job of reporting on the new Pope.
Replaced by that man Wilf – Ugh! terrible.
My son was interviewed by one of the CNN journalists in front of The Vatican. He is having a trip with his school to Rome. I missed it completely because it was live. It was around half past eight. Is there a possibility I can see this anywhere on your website? I'm kind of proud, you see.