- Joined
- Aug 21, 2017
- Messages
- 12,371
- City
- BC
- Country
- Canada
The most recent conclaves lasted 2-3 days:
1939: 3 ballots - Pius XII
1958: 11 ballots - John XXIII
1963: 6 ballots - Paul VI
1978: 4 ballots - John Paul I
1978: 8 ballots - John Paul II
2005: 4 ballots - Benedict XVI
2013: 5 ballots - Francis
According to the current process, if after 3 days of voting (9 rounds/ballots) there still is no pontiff chosen, a day of reflection and prayer, including an 'address' by a senior cardinal (the conclave already started with two addresses addressing the situation of the church and qualities that the new pontiff should possess), will be held before voting continues (as well as after each 7 additional rounds of voting). The longest conclave in the last 125 years lasted 5 days (1903). There is also a provision if the conclave ends in a deadlock: if after 33 rounds there is still no two-third majority, there will be a 'run-off' between the top-2 contenders (who still need two-third majority; but the two 'candidates' may no longer vote themselves).
All in all, it seems likely that either on May 8 (2 days) or 9 (3 days), the new pope will be chosen (and announced).
1939: 3 ballots - Pius XII
1958: 11 ballots - John XXIII
1963: 6 ballots - Paul VI
1978: 4 ballots - John Paul I
1978: 8 ballots - John Paul II
2005: 4 ballots - Benedict XVI
2013: 5 ballots - Francis
According to the current process, if after 3 days of voting (9 rounds/ballots) there still is no pontiff chosen, a day of reflection and prayer, including an 'address' by a senior cardinal (the conclave already started with two addresses addressing the situation of the church and qualities that the new pontiff should possess), will be held before voting continues (as well as after each 7 additional rounds of voting). The longest conclave in the last 125 years lasted 5 days (1903). There is also a provision if the conclave ends in a deadlock: if after 33 rounds there is still no two-third majority, there will be a 'run-off' between the top-2 contenders (who still need two-third majority; but the two 'candidates' may no longer vote themselves).
All in all, it seems likely that either on May 8 (2 days) or 9 (3 days), the new pope will be chosen (and announced).