Ah, but that's not the best bit. The best bit is what the local authorities were willing to do to bring an end to the papal election.
See, in 1270ish, the Pope wasn't just the head of the Western Church, but also the earthly ruler of a chunk of central Italy. So it was a problem that there was no one in charge. Local authorities in the town where the election was being held became increasingly impatient. First they locked the cardinals in the palace where the meetings were being held. Then they put them on bread and water rations. Finally they removed the roof of the palace. Finally the cardinals agreed to a compromise candidate and they were allowed to go home.
flodnak t1_jctyi1b wrote
Reply to TIL In the history of the Catholic Church there has been over a decade without a Pope on the throne. The longest continuous time the throne was empty was two years ten months from 1268 to 1271. by jamescookenotthatone
Ah, but that's not the best bit. The best bit is what the local authorities were willing to do to bring an end to the papal election.
See, in 1270ish, the Pope wasn't just the head of the Western Church, but also the earthly ruler of a chunk of central Italy. So it was a problem that there was no one in charge. Local authorities in the town where the election was being held became increasingly impatient. First they locked the cardinals in the palace where the meetings were being held. Then they put them on bread and water rations. Finally they removed the roof of the palace. Finally the cardinals agreed to a compromise candidate and they were allowed to go home.