The papal conclave is private election held behind closed doors of Vatican City's Sistine Chapel, where 135 cardinals vote on who will serve as the next the head of the Catholic Church.

The quickest conclave observing the 10-day wait rule appears to have been the 1503 election of Pope Julius II, who was elected in just a few hours, according to Vatican historian Ambrogio Piazzoni.

Experience: Coordinator of the Vatican’s Council of the Economy; president of German bishops conference; president of the commission of European bishops conferences Made a cardinal by: Benedict ...