Fast Facts

• The full title of the Pope is: Bishop of Rome; Vicar of Jesus Christ; Successor of Saint Peter, the Prince of the Apostles; Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church; Patriarch of the West; Primate of Italy; Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Province of Rome; Sovereign of the State of Vatican City.
  
  
• The word Pope, by which he is most often called, is from the Italian word Papa, an affectionate term for father. "Pontiff" comes from the Latin word Pontifex, meaning bridge builder. In pagan times the Roman Pontiffs, or high priests had charge of the bridges over the Tiber River. The Pope often speaks of himself as "Servant of the Servants of God." This particular title was introduced by Saint Gregory the Great in the sixth century. It has been retained by every Pope since then, as a unique expression of the role of the Pope in the Universal Catholic Church.
  
  
• In 1939, when Pope Pius XII was elected, three US cardinals took part in the voting for the first time in history. The first US votes were cast by Cardinals Dougherty of Philadlephia, Mundelein of Chicago, and O'Connell of Boston.
  
  
• The point at which a new Pope realizes that he has lost control of his life, comes at different times into his papacy, and to various degrees. There is a popular story that Pope Pius X, who was a very simple man, was at first terrified of his position. Once, while having a visit from an old friend, the Pope pointed to the Swiss Guards standing sentry outside his apartment. He bent and whispered to his friend, "There are my jailers!"
  
  
• Pope John Paul II was elected after eight ballots and two days of voting.
  
  
• Vatican City is the smallest nation in the world. At a leisurely pace, a person can walk across its farthest two points in fifteen minutes. Vatican City has more telephones per citizen than any other country in the world. 
  
  
• Finding accommodations for the Cardinals and their entourages is a logistical nightmare. Often times they were dirty, drafty and dangerous. Sleeping cells were often haphazardly placed in hallways and created fire hazards. Pope John Paul II settled this problem once and for all when he dedicated the Domus S. Marthae, Saint Martha's House on May 31, 1996. Built inside the walls of Vatican City, this structure has one hundred and thirty suites and rooms, with full facilities. It is the mission of Saint Martha's to provide the Cardinals with an environment free from all interference or pressure from the outside world during the length of the Conclave.