Friday, April 27, 2007

One Hundred Eighty-fourth Pope: Gregory X - 0 comments



Gregory X had a really interesting election: at the time there was a split in the College of Cardinals, who elect the Pope. The French half were lobbying for a French Pope, the Italians wanted to elect one of theirs. The seat sat empty for three years while they argued, and they only reached a decision under extreme duress. During one of their conferences, the exasperated citizens of Viterbo (where they were meeting) locked them in, demanded they elect a Pope, and ripped the roof off the building where they were meeting, so they could keep an eye on them. The cardinals were only allowed bread and water, and the managed to reach agreement in only three days.

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