Was this the fastest conclave in history? What to know after white smoke appears
White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel just after 6 p.m. Vatican time (noon ET) on Thursday, May 8, signaling to the world that a new pope had been selected.
The papal conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor began on May 7, when 133 elector cardinals gathered under a vow of secrecy to cast their votes beginning that evening. The day finished out around 9 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET) with billows of black smoke rising above the Vatican, indicating that the new head of the catholic church had not yet been chosen.
After the initial voting on the first day, the subsequent days of the conclave entail voting four times per day: twice in the morning and twice in the evening. In 2013, Pope Francis was selected on the second day after five rounds of voting. Before him, Pope Benedict XVI was chosen on the second day after just four rounds.
This time, it again took until late on the second day of voting and at least four ballots for the white smoke to appear. This may seem quick, but it actually is not the fastest conclave decision in history.
What was the shortest conclave in history?
The shortest conclave in known history lasted just 10 hours and ended with the election of Pope Julius II in 1503.
More recently, as in the last 100 years, the shortest conclaves lasted a day when Pius XII was elected in 1939 after three rounds of voting. John Paul I was elected on the second day in 1978 after four rounds.
What is the longest conclave in history?
The longest conclave ever took two years, nine months and two days, ending with the election of Gregory X on Sept. 1, 1271.
Over the last 100 years, the longest conclave took 14 ballots, lasted five days and resulted in the election of Pope Pius XI in 1922.
How long was the conclave for Pope Francis?
Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, was elected in March 2013 after five ballots were cast across two days, making it one of the quickest decisions in modern times.
Contributing: Lori Comstock, Paste BN NETWORK