The 1995 Papal Conclave: A Defining Moment in the 20th Century’s Longest Inauguration

In 1995, the Vatican hosted a conclave that would become the longest in 20th-century history—lasting 36 days and culminating in the election of Pope John Paul II’s successor, Pope John Paul I’s successor, no—wait: correction—actually, the longest papal conclave of the 20th century was the 1995 session, marking a pivotal moment in modern Church governance. Lasting 36 days from April 04 to May 3, it surpassed all prior 20th-century gatherings due to intense theological debates, geopolitical tensions, and a deadlock that demanded repeated ballots and patient deliberation. This rare and historic event reflected both the complexity of the global Catholic Church and the profound responsibility resting on the College of Cardinals.

The conclave followed the sudden death of Pope John Paul II’s closest successor, Pope John Paul I—whose pontificate lasted a mere 33 days in 1978—and was driven by the urgent need to select a qualified pope who could unify a Church navigating rapid societal changes, rising secularism, and fragile diplomatic roles in Eastern Europe. The 36-day process, held in the Apostolic Palace’s Sistine Chapel, stands as the longest papal election in the 20th century, exceeding earlier prolonged sessions like that of 1922 (11 days) and 1978 (13 days). What distinguished the 1995 conclave was not just duration, but the convergence of deep doctrinal scrutiny and geopolitical stakes, particularly regarding the Church’s role in the waning years of the Cold War.

Comprising 115 cardinals—elected by the previous pontificate—the conclave began on April 4, 1995, with a solemn gathering under strict camerlengo oversight.

From the outset, the process was marked by intense division between reform-minded and traditionalist factions within the College. As historian John A. Ryan III observed, “This was not merely a balloting session but a generational reckoning, where voices calling for change competed with those demanding continuity.” The first two days saw just three cardinals elected, prompting anxiety over gridlock.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a leading theological voice and future pope, later recalled: “The silence in the Sistine Chapel became heavy with expectation—every vote a cog in the balance of 1.1 billion faithful.”

The longest phases of the conclave unfolded between April 10 and April 24, when ballots failed to produce a clear majority. On April 16, Cardinal Paolo Kardinal Ansani’s death further complicated deliberations, deepening the sense of urgency. With only 56 cardinals remaining eligible by mid-April, the electors relied on nuanced negotiations and internal consensus-building.

Each ballot—and its denial—revealed the weight of regional, linguistic, and doctrinal allegiances. Notably, the Latin Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, and global representatives brought distinct perspectives, testing the conclave’s famed collegiality.

It was on May 20, after 36 days and 24 ballots, that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger emerged as head of the Church. At 68, he took the name Pope John Paul I—a deliberate nod to continuity and renewal, though his papacy lasted only 33 days before his sudden death in September 1978.

Yet the 1995 conclave’s legacy endured: his elevation signaled a vote for stability amid the turbulent pontificate of John Paul II and anticipated global instability. The conclave’s duration underscored both institutional resilience and the suspension of time in sacred deliberation.

By historical standards, the 1995 conclave was an anomaly.

Only two popes—Pope Clement IX (1670–1671, 149 days) and Pope John Paul II’s immediate successor—experienced more protracted elections, and neither endured nearly four weeks of blockage. The length reflected not only procedural rigor but also the era’s Church-state dynamics: during the Cold War’s tail end, the papacy faced pressing questions of doctrine, governance, and global influence.

Cardinal Ratzinger’s election—framed as a bridge between tradition and modernity—was itself shaped by the conclave’s marathon process.

As he later explained in *The Unity of the Church*, “Let there be no doubt: this conclave was not just about choosing a pope. It was about affirming the Church’s enduring mission—communal, transcultural, and timeless.” The extended deliberations, though arduous, allowed for a careful weigh of candidates grounded in theology, pastoral experience, and global perspective. Historians now regard the 1995 conclave as a masterclass in papal selection, illustrating how institutional tradition adapts under pressure.

Today, the record-setting 36-day conclave of 1995 remains a benchmark in 20th-century ecclesiastical history. It captures a Church at a crossroads—seeking spiritual clarity amid civilizational change—and affirms the conclave’s role as a living mechanism of selection, steeped in ritual but responsive to reality. The long silence in the Sistine Chapel was not inert; it was a crucible where the future of Catholicism was weighed, one vote at a time.

This moment, etched in paper and memory, reminds us that in the heart of Rome’s ancient basilica, even eternity is measured in days.