Secrets of the Conclave: Surprising Facts and the Most Bizarre Elections in Papal History

When I lived in Rome, I walked past the Vatican almost daily, fascinated by the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and the timeless aura surrounding it. As a Catholic and a student at Sapienza University—which was, in fact, founded by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303—I often wondered what truly happens behind those thick chapel doors when the world waits breathlessly for white smoke.

Sapienza was originally established as a papal university to promote the study of theology and canon law under direct Church oversight. Knowing that its earliest scholars were trained to serve the papal court gave me a deeper appreciation for the Church’s enduring legacy—and made me even more curious about the mysteries behind the papal conclave.

So, let’s uncover some of the most fascinating papal conclave facts, sacred traditions, and wild elections that have shaped the course of Catholic history.

While the Colosseum echoes Rome’s imperial past, just beyond lies the Vatican—where cardinals will soon gather in conclave to choose the next pope.

1. The Never-Ending Conclave of Viterbo (1268–1271)

The longest papal conclave in history lasted nearly three years, from 1268 to 1271. After Pope Clement IV died, the College of Cardinals convened in the small town of Viterbo, just north of Rome. But intense political divisions—mainly between French and Italian cardinals—left them hopelessly deadlocked.

Frustration grew not only inside the palace but also among the townspeople. Local authorities, desperate to end the stalemate, locked the cardinals inside the episcopal palace, restricted their meals to bread, water, and wine, and eventually removed the palace’s roof—hoping a little exposure to the elements might hurry things along.

This extreme situation finally led to the election of Pope Gregory X, who later introduced new conclave rules to avoid this kind of disaster ever happening again. His reforms, adopted at the Second Council of Lyon in 1274, laid the foundation for the modern conclave system.

The town of Viterbo became known as the “City of Popes” due to its unique role in Church history. And yes, you can still visit the remains of that roofless palace today.

2. Bribes and Power Plays: The Election of Pope Alexander VI (1492)

Few papal conclave facts are as shocking as the one that brought Rodrigo Borgia to power. In 1492, Borgia allegedly bribed fellow cardinals with promises of land, titles, and political influence to secure his election.

Once elected as Pope Alexander VI, his papacy became notorious for its scandal, nepotism, and luxury. He openly appointed his children, Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia, to powerful positions and used the Church as a tool to strengthen his family's dynasty.

This conclave and its aftermath contributed heavily to growing discontent that would soon explode during the Protestant Reformation.

3. The Roofless Conclave Wasn’t the Only One That Got Ugly (1314–1316)

After Pope Clement V died in 1314, the cardinals gathered again—bitterly divided between French and Italian factions. The tension escalated so dramatically that fighting broke out among their supporters, and the conclave was temporarily disbanded.

Two years later, in 1316, under political pressure from King Philip V of France, they elected Jacques Duèze—who became Pope John XXII. But instead of returning to Rome, he was crowned in Lyon, France, beginning the Avignon Papacy—a 70-year era in which seven popes resided in France.

This shift was viewed by many as a betrayal of Rome’s authority and further demonstrated how easily papal conclaves could be manipulated by secular powers.

4. When a Conclave Triggered a Schism (1378)

In 1378, after Pope Gregory XI died, the Roman public was determined to keep the papacy in Italy. Mobs surrounded the Vatican, demanding an Italian pope. Under immense pressure, the cardinals elected Bartolomeo Prignano, who became Pope Urban VI.

Initially seen as a compromise, Urban VI soon revealed a volatile and authoritarian personality. Many cardinals regretted their decision. Claiming they were forced into the vote under duress, they convened a rival conclave and elected Clement VII, who set up a papal court in Avignon.

This began the Western Schism, where two (and later three) popes simultaneously claimed legitimacy. It divided Europe politically and spiritually for nearly four decades. The schism wasn’t fully resolved until 1417, at the Council of Constance, when Pope Martin V was elected as the sole legitimate pope.

Of all the strange papal conclave facts in history, this one had the most far-reaching consequences—fracturing the Church and undermining its authority across Europe.

5. Unexpected Papal Conclave Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

• Anyone can technically be elected pope: As long as he’s a baptized Catholic male, even a layman could theoretically become pope.

  
  

• Three different-sized papal robes are prepared in advance: small, medium, and large.

  
  

• Smoke colors are chemically engineered: Since 2005, the Vatican uses a chemical mixture to ensure unmistakable white or black smoke.

  
  

• Ballots are pierced with a needle and sewn together: Then burned after each vote.

  
  

• Up to four votes a day: Two in the morning, two in the afternoon.

  
  

• The “Room of Tears”: A private space where the new pope changes into his robes—and sometimes weeps.

  
  

6. Firsts and Famous Moments in Conclave History

A street named after Pope John Paul II—proof that his influence reaches far beyond Rome.

• First non-Italian pope in 455 years: Pope John Paul II, elected in 1978.

  
  

• First Jesuit and first pope from the Americas: Pope Francis, elected in 2013.

  
  

• First papal resignation in centuries: Benedict XVI in 2013.

  
  

• Shortest modern conclave: Benedict XVI was elected in just 26 hours.

  
  

7. What Really Happens Inside the Sistine Chapel?

Modern papal conclaves are held in the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals are completely isolated, with no phones, internet, or contact with the outside world. The famous phrase “Extra Omnes” (“Everyone out”) is spoken, and the doors are sealed.

Voting takes place beneath Michelangelo’s Last Judgment, which looms overhead as a spiritual reminder of responsibility. Despite the media frenzy outside, no details leak from within—a rare modern mystery that still holds.

Painted ceiling of Igreja Nossa Senhora do Brasil in São Paulo, inspired by the Sistine Chapel, reflecting the sacred atmosphere of the papal conclave.

8. Visiting Vatican City Today

You can’t watch a conclave unless you're wearing scarlet robes—but you can walk through the Sistine Chapel where it all happens. Don’t miss St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Vatican Necropolis beneath.

Want more secrets from Rome? Check out this deep dive into hidden Colosseum facts.

9. The Whisper That Named a Pope: Cardinal Hummes and Pope Francis

During a visit to Brazil, I stepped into São Paulo’s Catedral da Sé, where I found the tomb of Cardinal Cláudio Hummes—a name I immediately recognized from one of the most touching stories of the 2013 conclave.

When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio received enough votes to become pope, Hummes was sitting right next to him in the Sistine Chapel. Hummes embraced him and whispered,

“Don’t forget the poor.”

That simple sentence deeply moved the future pope. Moments later, he chose the name Francis—after St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the poor.

Later, Pope Francis said, “That word entered here—the poor. I thought of Francis of Assisi, and the name came into my heart.”

That whisper helped define an entire papacy.

Want to read more about Pope Francis’s roots and legacy? Visit this blog post.

At the tomb of Cardinal Cláudio Hummes—whose whispered words to Pope Francis in the Sistine Chapel helped shape an entire papacy.

10. A Pause in Ave Maria

While traveling through Ave Maria, Florida—a town where faith is at the heart of daily life—I found myself reading the Ave Maria Sun, catching up on news about the upcoming papal conclave. There was something both surreal and beautiful about it: sitting in a town named after the Virgin Mary, reading headlines that will help shape the future of the Catholic Church. As a Catholic, I couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement… Who will the next pope be?

Reading the Ave Maria Sun in Florida—feeling hopeful and curious as the papal conclave begins tomorrow.

Final Thoughts: A Tradition Frozen in Time

From conclaves that lasted years to whispered words that shaped history, these papal conclave facts show us that the election of a pope is anything but ordinary. It’s a drama of faith, politics, secrecy, and symbolism—one that has shaped the course of Catholicism for centuries.

As someone who studied at a university founded by a pope, explored the Vatican on foot, and stood before the tomb of the cardinal who helped inspire Pope Francis, I can say this: the conclave is more than just smoke and votes. It’s a living tradition, echoing with the hopes of billions around the world.

And now, as another conclave begins tomorrow, we watch and wait—hoping for a shepherd who will carry the Church forward with humility, compassion, and courage. Whether the white smoke rises quickly or the world must wait in prayerful suspense, this timeless ceremony reminds us of the deep unity and mystery at the heart of the Church.

If you're fascinated by places where faith and the unusual collide, check out this Croatian chapel where a tree grows through the roof, or explore a modern Catholic town that serves up spirituality and great pizza in Ave Maria, Florida.

Have you ever waited for the white smoke? Or dreamed of stepping inside the Sistine Chapel? Let me know in the comments—and keep exploring the sacred, the strange, and the extraordinary with me.