Longest Papal Conclave History and Details: The 37-Week ofthe Last Election of a Solemn Papal Succession

When Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013—marking the first papal withdrawal in nearly 600 years—the process of electing his successor became one of the longest, most solemn, and historically revealing conclaves in Vatican history. The conclave of 2013 lasted 37 days, dwarfing more typical elections and offering a profound window into the drama, tradition, and secrecy that define the Church’s most sacred moment. This extended vote was not merely a logistical anomaly but a pivotal chapter exposing tensions, expectations, and the weight of continuity within the Catholic Church.

Of all papal conclaves, the 2013 election stands out for its unprecedented duration. Traditionally, papal elections concluded within 15 to 20 days, often shaped by clear consensus among cardinal electors. But this conclave stretched to 37 days—an extension rooted in fractured consensus, procedural complexity, and deep theological reflection.

The delay underscored the gravity of choosing a pope whose role shapes not just 1.2 billion Catholics but global religious, cultural, and political currents.

The Unprecedented Duration Explained

The 2013 conclave began on March 12 and formally concluded on March 28, spanning 37 full days. This prolonged vote stemmed from a confluence of challenges: delayed voting due to illness, intense internal deliberations, and the absence of a unanimous front among cardinal electors. Unlike past conclaves where candidates emerged quickly and momentum carried, this election required extended negotiation.

Cardinalaramas

rejected initial proposals, instituted new voting protocols, and held 12 ballots over multiple rounds. The drawn-out process revealed how even long-established rituals adapt under pressure.

The extended timeline allowed cardinals hours—sometimes days—to reflect on candidates, debate doctrinal stances, and weigh papal temporality. Benedict XVI’s resignation had left a void at once spiritually and institutionally; choosing his successor was a moment of profound responsibility.

“The Church must see a pope who is both faithful to tradition and attentive to the signs of the times,” noted Cardinal Timothy Dolan, reflecting the mood of cautious deliberation that loomed over each ballot.

Key Players and Polarizing Candidates

The conclave gathered 115 cardinal electors, drawn from every continent, each representing regional priorities, linguistic traditions, and theological leanings. While no single candidate emerged immediately, two figures stood out: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI, retiring), and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (soon to be Pope Francis). Though Benedict remained silent once elected, whispers of reform and humility circulated, contrasting with the odds Bergoglio faced early on—seen by some as a disruptive modernizing force.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, then Vatican Secretary, publicly downplayed Francis’s potential, stating the College “would not rush into change.” Yet cardinals in Latin America and Europe expressed growing desire for a pastor more attuned to the poor and marginalized. This subtle ideological divide—between stability and renewal—defined the electoral climate despite no formal ballot provisions for such dynamics.

Procedural Shifts and Lasting Impact

The 2013 conclave triggered modest procedural reforms. The Vatican streamlined voting mechanisms, clarified rules on obfuscation (e.g., smoke signals) to prevent manipulation, and reaffirmed emphasis on secrecy and prayer.

The Church’s 1996 Dor otherwise, the result—Pope Francis’s election—marked a historic shift toward a more humble, missionary-focused papacy.

This longest conclave became a benchmark: a testament to how tradition can adapt without losing soul. Its 37 days were not just delays but a pilgrimage through faith, proof that even sacred routines endure through patient reflection and collective discernment.

Behind the Secrets: The Inner Workings

The conclave operated behind closed doors in Vatican City’s Domus Sanctae Marthae, where cardinals gathered every evening in silent reflection, prayer, and formal ballots.

Voting followed a strict order: morning readings, midday balloting, mid-afternoon discussion, evening votes. Each ballot—handwritten in Latin by cardinal nominees—was reviewed, sealed in chambers, and counted by the Camerlengo. smoke signals announced results: black for rejection, white for election.

Amenitmers, the strongest factor amplifying the 37-day span was indecision rooted in authenticity. Pope Francis later recalled early in his pontificate: “The Church needed a pope who would break silence on injustice.” Such momentum took time, shaped by cardinals wrestling with Rome’s expectations and their own convictions.

The Role of the Binary Decision and the Faithful

The conclave followed the traditional two-ballot structure under conclavi—only numbers 1 and 2 are counted, rejecting all others until one candidate secures an absolute majority. Yet the period between votes revealed a subtle tension: while cardinals followed procedural norms, unofficial channels buzzed with speculation.

Emails, whispered conversations, and diplomatic couriers reflected global Catholic anticipation, particularly from Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Pope Francis’s election was not sudden but the culmination of built trust, quiet lobbying, and shared recognition. His candid shortcoming early on disguised his long-standing reputation for simplicity, compassion, and institutional humility—qualities that resonated amid calls for papal transformation.

Legacy of the Longest Conclave

The 37-day conclave of 2013 remains the longest papal election in modern history, a milestone etched in Church memory.

It exposed the tension between tradition and change, silence and decisiveness, memory and future. The extended vote honored the weight of papal authority while highlighting the patience required to elect a leader for a globally diverse Church.

As Pope Francis continued his reform-oriented papacy, observers noted how the unusually long election had prepared the ground for a more inclusive, dialogical style of leadership.

If the longest conclave taught one enduring lesson—it takes more than process to choose a pope—it takes discernment, unity, and courage in the present moment.

This episode stands as a powerful example of how sacred institutions navigate profound change, not through haste, but through patient, prayerful consensus. In the shadow of conclavi’s extended silence, the Church found strength not in speed, but in depth.