April 12, 2005 A family of tailors in Rome is preparing for the choice of a new pontiff. Garments in three sizes are being created so the new pope can appeal in full papal regalia immediately after he is chosen.
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The new pope will continue nearly 2,000 years of history. Among the notable events in those years:
The first pope: the apostle Peter.
Longest reign since Peter: Pius IX (1846-1878), nearly 32 years.
Shortest reign: Urban VII, 12 days (1590). He caught malaria during the election and was never crowned.
First pope to resign: Pontianus, imprisoned during Rome's persecution of Christians (235).
Last pope to resign: Gregory XII, as part of a deal ending a church schism (1415).
Only pope elected despite having been suspended: Boniface VI (896). He was suspended twice, for immorality.
Only teenage pope: John XII, elected at 18 (955).
Last pope elected who wasn't a bishop when the conclave began: the monk Gregory XVI (1831).
Last non-Italian pope before John Paul II: Hadrian VI of the Netherlands (1522).
Other nationalities: French (16), Greek (13), Syrian (6) and African (3), among others.
Source: AP; Lives of the Popes, by the Rev. Richard P. McBrien
Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, waves from a balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, April 19.
