After looking at the upcoming papal conclave and making comparisons to other recent conclaves, we turn to the Popes of the Reformation and Counter Reformation Period.
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The History of the Popes
The Good, the Bad, and the Phony
Session 7, The Popes of the Modern Period
You are Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church. (Matthew 16:18)
I. Course Outline
[Introduction to the Papacy, The time of persecution, The early Middle Ages, The Holy Roman Empire, The late Middle Ages]
April 22 – The Popes of the Western Schism
April 29 – The Popes of the Modern Period and Protestant Reformation
May 6 – The Popes of Recent Days
II. Recent news of the death of Pope Francis, and looking forward to the next papal conclave.
Conclave is set to begin on May 7th. 134 of the 135 cardinal electors are expected to attend.
The average age of these cardinals is 70 years.
29% are European non-Italian, 14% Italian, 18% Latin American, 16% Asian and Pacific, 14% African and Middle Eastern, 9% North American. The most significant change from recent conclaves is significantly less Italian cardinals (around 10% less of the over all), with a noticeable increase in Asian and Pacific cardinals (around 8% more over all).
80% of today’s cardinal electors were appointed by Francis. In the 2013 conclave to elect Francis, 58% had been appointed by Benedict XVI and 42% by St John Paul II. In the 2005 conclave to elect Benedict XVI, 98% had been appointed by St John Paul II and 2% by St Paul VI. In the 1978 conclave to elect St John Paul II, 90% had been appointed by St Paul VI, 7% by St John XXIII, and 3% by Ven Pius XII.
The 2013 conclave to elect Francis lasted two days, and took five ballots. March 12-13. There were 115 of 117 cardinal electors present.
The 2005 conclave to elect Benedict XVI lasted two days, only four ballots. April 18-19. There were 115 of 117 cardinal electors present.
The 1978 conclave to elect St John Paul II lasted three days, and eight ballots. October 14-16. All 111 of the cardinal electors were present.
The 1978 conclave to elect Bl John Paul I lasted two days, in four ballots. This was the first conclave after St Paul VI had established the upper age limit of 80 years for cardinal electors, excluding 15 cardinals that year. St Paul VI had also increased the number of cardinals to 120. All of the remaining 111 cardinal electors were present.
The 1963 conclave to elect St Paul VI lasted three days, and six ballots. There were 80 of the 82 cardinals present. St John XXIII had expanded the number of cardinals beyond the limit of 70, which had previously been respected as a hard top limit. Since this time, although there is still a theoretical limit, it is not kept as a strict rule.
II. Popes of The Modern Period (and during the rise of Protestantism)
Julius II: Pope from 1503-1531. It is speculated he took the name Julius not in honor of Pope Julius I, but as a reference to Julius Caesar. Established the Vatican Museums and also begin the restoration of St Peter’s Basilica. He commissioned the Raphael Rooms and also Michaelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel. He used his power to cripple the power of the Borgia family, and they never rose to significant status again. He also allowed the marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon. Very involved in Italian politics and ruled the Papal States after the fashion of a secular king - even leading the charge in two battles. Often considered one of the most corrupt popes. #216.
Leo X: Pope from 1513-1521. The last pope to have not been a priest at the time of his election as pope. He was the pope to condemn Martin Luther. #217.
St Pius V: Pope from 1566-1572. One of the greatest popes. He implemented the Council of Trent, and established the Tridentine Liturgy (sometimes called the Missal of Pius V). He declared St Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church. He excommunicated Elizabeth I. He was pope during the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 and did much to promote the Rosary. St PIus V was canonized in 1712. The next pope to be canonized was St Pius X, who died in 1914 and was canonized in 1954. #225
Urban VII: Pope in 1590. The shortest reigning pope at only 12 days, dying of malaria. #228
[Note on the shortest reigning popes: Urban VII, Boniface VI in 896 for 15 days, Celestine IV in 1241 for 16 days. Amazingly, Bl John Paul I, in 1978 for 33 days, is only the 11th shortest reigning pontiff!]
Urban VIII: Pope from 1623-1644. Famous as the pope who condemned Galileo. #235
Clement XIV: Pope from 1769-1774. Suppressed the Jesuits. #249.
