Behind-the-scenes look at the Pope election process: A mix of meals, discussions, and influencing decisions
Hustle and Buzz in the Eternal City: Behind the Scenes of the Papal Election
The aroma of blooming jasmine and the hum of tourists in Rome might be the city's usual charm, but these days, it's the whispers and secret meetings that have the real buzz. This is when cardinals, gathered for the election of a new Pope, engage in closed-door discussions, trying to discern who will be the worthy successor to Pope Francis.
This cat-and-mouse game was alive back in 2013, as Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, former Archbishop of Westminster, and his reformist European allies championed the candidacy of an Argentine Jesuit named Jorge Mario Bergoglio over dinner table debates. And lo and behold, their efforts paid off, and Pope Francis emerged victorious on the fifth ballot.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who succeeded Murphy-O'Connor in Westminster, isn’t taking on the mantle of a papal lobbyist this time around. As he chuckled, he explained, “We're of quite different styles. Cardinal Cormac would love to be at the center of the party. I'm a little more reserved than that and a little bit more introverted.”
While Nichols, now 79, is less outspoken, he offers insights into the discussions among the cardinal-electors. Between mouthfuls of Rome's legendary carbonara, they're building relationships after bidding farewell to the pope who made 108 of them "princes of the church."
Nichols reveals that he spends these days in preparation for the conclave listening, as cardinals meet each morning in a Vatican auditorium to discuss the needs of the Catholic Church and the type of leader it deserves. These discussions are open to all cardinals, including the older ones, while the conclave itself within the Sistine Chapel is limited to the physically capable cardinals under the age of 80.
The upcoming conclave presents an exciting time for the Catholic Church, with its churchmen cast as characters in a real-life drama. The process involves a series of ballots, and a two-thirds majority is required for a successful election. After each round of voting, the ballots are burned, with black smoke signaling an unresolved vote and white smoke signaling a new pope.
In the run-up to this election, speculation around potential candidates was rife. Names like Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary and Cardinal Mario Grech of Malta were in the limelight for their thoughtful approach to migration and synodality, respectively. Cardinal Robert Prevost of the US stood out with his emphasis on synodality as a solution to polarization within the Church.
However, the conversation took an unexpected turn as the cardinals reached a consensus, and a new pope was elected. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, took the helm, continuing the progressive elements initiated during Pope Francis' tenure, with a focus on synodality and possible broader reforms within the Church.
The election of Pope Leo XIV sends a historic message to the Catholic Church and signals the end of a chapter, heralding a new beginning as the Church embraces its new shepherd.
During the closed-door discussions, cardinals may exhibit their leadership in the realm of finance, managing the Church's resources for its future under a new Pope.
Amidst the bustling business of the Catholic Church, the election of a new pope is a significant event in both religious and global finance matters.
