Tensions Simmer between Emmanuel Macron and Meloni Amidst Rumblings in Italy over Macron's Alleged Ambitions to Pick a Pope
Emmanuel Macron Accused of Trying to Sway Pope Election
Booty's on the line as French President Emmanuel Macron finds himself in the middle of a scandal, accused of playing dirty by Italian press. The stakes? The upcoming papal conclave set to start on May 7, to elect Pope Francis' successor.
© Pier Marco Tacca By Thibaud Hue Published on , last modified at
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Accusations fly in the Italian conservative media. As we await the papal conclave, Emmanuel Macron finds himself under the spotlight for alleged manipulation of the election process, according to Le Monde. A dinner hosted by Macron at the French embassy in Italy is said to have been a strategy to elect a French pope.
Four out of five French cardinal electors attended the meeting, including Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, a potential contender for the papacy. Other attendees included François Bustillo, Bishop of Ajaccio, Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, and Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon. Adding fuel to the fire, Macron also dined with the founder of Sant'Egidio, an influential Catholic movement. Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and member of this community, is among the potential candidates for the papacy.
Is Macron Trying to Undermine the Italian Government?
Matteo Zuppi, known for his pro-migrant stance and reservations about PM Giorgia Meloni's reforms, has become a talking point in Italian papers. Some suggest Macron may be taking a stand against the Italian far-right majority and the government. La Verità even went so far as to print "Macron wants to choose the pope" on its cover on April 29. However, Sant'Egidio defends itself by stating Macron was merely curious, not intending to sway the election.
Macron, The Pope, and The Church
With the stakes running high, who's playing the game remains uncertain. The upcoming conclave will involve 135 cardinals. Only time will tell if Macron's alleged efforts bear fruit or fall flat. Stay tuned for updates.
- François Macron, amidst the controversy over alleged manipulation of the election process, could potentially have undermined the Italian government by dining with influential Catholic figures, including Matteo Zuppi, who is among the potential candidates for the papacy and known for his pro-migrant stance.
- Emmanuel Macron, in the midst of a scandal over trying to sway the Pope election, find himself under the spotlight for his association with four cardinal electors, including Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, and Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna, who have been discussed in general-news as possible contenders for the papacy.
- Matteo Zuppi, a potential candidate for the papacy and an influential figure in the Catholic community of Sant'Egidio, finds himself at the center of political discussions in Italy, with some suggesting that French President Emmanuel Macron may be using him as a pawn to counter the Italian far-right majority and government.
- As the upcoming papal conclave approaches, the French real estate, Emmanuel Macron, faces accusations of attempting to electioneer for a French pope, as indicated by a dinner hosted at the French embassy in Italy. This allegation has triggered a wave of discussion in Italian conservative media, with some critics labeling Macron as trying to undermine Italian politics.
