Vatican in Formation of Initial Alliances as Pope's One-Day Absence Sparks Cardinal Coordination
Getting ready for the new Pope election, the cardinals in Rome are forging alliances
With Pope Francis' term coming to an end, the stage is set for the conclave to pick his successor. A total of 135 cardinals holding the right to vote are expected to attend. Over 80% of these papal electors were put in place by Francis himself, during his twelve-year reign, significantly diversifying the College of Cardinals, making it less Eurocentric and Western-oriented.
The cardinals hail from 65 countries across five continents. Under Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals experienced a shift towards internationalization during his tenure. A remarkable 133 of the elected cardinals were eligible for voting when Francis appointed them.
23 cardinals were appointed by Benedict XVI
The number of papal electors is greater than the maximum limit of 120 set by Paul VI in the apostolic constitution Romano Pontifici Eligendo (1975) and confirmed by John Paul II in Universi Dominici Gregis (1996). Among the current cardinals, 23 were appointed by Benedict XVI, while only five were placed by Pope John Paul II.
The increased number of eligible cardinals will witness a power shift, with European cardinals potentially losing influence. Among the 135 papal electors, 59 originate from Europe, 19 of whom are Italian. Key Italian favorites for the papal election include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican's Secretary of State, and the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
In addition to Italy, the United States has the second-highest representation in the conclave with 37 cardinals. Among them are 16 North Americans, four Central Americans, and 17 South Americans. Asia, Africa, and Australia account for 20, 16, and three, respectively.
34 orders will be represented at the conclave
The diversity in the conclave extends to the cardinals' religious orders. Representatives of 34 different orders, including five Salesians, four Jesuits, and three Franciscan Conventuals, will be present. The youngest cardinal in the conclave is the Ukrainian Mykola Bychok, who will turn 45 on 13 February. The oldest cardinal will be the Spaniard Carlos Osoro Sierra, who will turn 79 on 16 May.
Many cardinals may not know each other personally, posing challenges in forging alliances. The conservative faction within the Vatican is reportedly rallying around the Hungarian Peter Erdő, a favorite among those expecting a shift away from Francis' progressive course. On the other hand, advocates for a European pope, seeking a balance to the global trajectory set by Argentine Francis, have building Stockholm's Bishop Anders Arborelius in mind. Alternatively, French Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline, known for his approachability and young age, is considered a contender.
Some speculate that this is the year the next Pope might come from Africa for the first time. A potential candidate is Archbishop of Kinshasa Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, a conservative compared to his European and North American counterparts. Other potential candidates from America, Asia, and Europe continue to emerge as frontrunners.
The upcoming papal election will see a diverse group of cardinals from various continents, including Asia, Africa, Australia, North America, Central America, and South America, as they strive to select the next Pope. The political landscape of the College of Cardinals has been significantly altered during Pope Francis' reign, with a greater representation of non-European cardinals, potentially shifting the power dynamics in the conclave.
