The length of a papal conclave varies greatly, with no formal time limit. The conclave lasts until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority of the votes from the cardinal electors. Historically, conclaves have ranged from just a few hours to nearly three years. Key points about conclave duration:

• Modern conclaves typically last between two to three days. For example, Pope Francis was elected in just two days in 2013

• If no pope is elected after three days of voting, the cardinals pause for a day of prayer and discussion before resuming voting

• The longest conclave in history lasted about 1,006 days (nearly three years) from 1268 to 1271, held in Viterbo. This lengthy process led to the term "conclave," meaning "under lock and key," as the cardinals were literally locked in until they reached a decision

• The longest conclave in the last 200 years lasted 51 days in 1831 before electing Pope Gregory XVI

• Since the 19th century, conclaves exceeding a week have been very rare, with most lasting only a few days

Typical voting schedule:

• On the first day, one or two ballots are held in the afternoon.
• On subsequent days, there are usually two rounds of voting each morning and afternoon.
• Voting continues daily until a two-thirds majority is achieved

In summary, while the conclave can theoretically last indefinitely, recent practice shows it usually takes just a few days, with rare exceptions stretching to weeks or, historically, years.