Episode 93: Take Me Down to Vatican City

Episode 93: Take Me Down to Vatican City

From Ask a Medievalist by Ask a Medievalist

June 11, 2025 · 1h 15m · Season 6 · Episode 93

About this episode

Em and Dr. Jesse discuss the history of papal elections and the conclave system in the Catholic Church.

Synopsis When did the conclave system get started and why? Following on the heels (uh, vaguely) of our emergency popecast , Em and Dr. Jesse discuss history of papal elections and how the Church got to where it is. Notes Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes , by Eamon Duffy. 4th ed. Yale University Press, 2015. 1/ We recorded this in February 2024; Benedict died on the 31st of December, 2022. He was 95. JPII lived to 84 (d. 2005) and Francis was 88. [Benedict XVI was the former head of the Dicastery or Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the formerly known as the Congregation of the Inquisition. –Jesse] Celestine V (c.1210/15–1296; pope July 5–December 13 1294) Gregory XII (c1327–1417; pope 1406–1415, resigns to end schism) Pope John XXIII (1881–1963, pope 1958–1963) called the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). Pisan Antipope John XXIII (d.1419; pope 1410–1415) 2/ I’m sure some of this background on the various popes and especially Francis is a repeat from last episode. If you took good notes and don’t need a reminder, I’m sorry. 3/ “Eventually they get found liable for their sayings.” I have no idea what politician that was a dig at…

People in this episode

Host: Em

Guest: Dr. Jesse

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church

Books & works: Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes

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