392 - History's Worst Popes
Do Go On
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The Conclave Latin for With a Key
The College of Cardinals wasn't given the principal right to elect the Pope until 1059. The longest this process lasted was two years and nine months between 1268 and 1271. These days a candidate must win a secret ballot no matter how long it takes. In olden times, the Cardinals were essentially locked inside a room and deprived of meals until they settled on a successor.
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