The recent passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday has plunged the Vatican into preparations for a historic conclave to select the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
According to Breitbart, the College of Cardinals will soon decide if the Church maintains its progressive trajectory or pivots to a more conservative path.
Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church announced that a conclave will be held within 15 to 20 days in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. This imminent gathering will be crucial in shaping the future direction of the Church.
Pope Francis, who served as the pontiff for 12 years, was known for his focus on several critical social justice issues. His emphasis on tolerance for the LGBTQ community, combating climate change, and addressing mass migration marked significant aspects of his papacy.
During his tenure, Francis appointed approximately 80% of the Cardinals who will be participating in the upcoming conclave. These cardinals were often selected from less prominent regions in the Catholic world, particularly in Africa and Asia, highlighting Francis's effort to diversify the voices within the church hierarchy.
The conclave's outcome will reflect whether the church continues to follow the progressive policies championed by Francis or reverts to a more orthodox stance. Historically, since 1378, the chosen Pope has always been a cardinal, a tradition that underlines the significance of this conclave’s composition.
Among the noted cardinals who are considered potential candidates — or "papabili" — to become the next Pope are Cardinal Luis Tagle from the Philippines and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State under Pope Francis. Cardinal Tagle shares a similar progressive outlook to that of Francis, while Parolin holds somewhat more conservative views on certain social doctrines.
Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary and Cardinal Robert Sarah from Africa are among the conservative candidates. Erdő has openly disagreed with Francis on issues such as divorce and mass migration, aligning him with the traditionalist faction within the church.
On the other hand, Sarah has been vocal about his criticism of modern societal trends, comparing the impact of certain ideologies to historical totalitarian regimes. His staunch views reflect a significant conservative segment within the Cardinals.
Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana represents the liberal school of thought, particularly advocating for climate policy and the rights of the LGBTQ community. Meanwhile, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy also emerges as a strong progressive candidate, likely to continue the agenda set by Pope Francis if elected. The diversity in the backgrounds and beliefs of these cardinals underscores the broad spectrum of issues that will influence the upcoming papal decision.
The world is watching closely, with figures such as Donald and Melania Trump confirming their attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome. This highlights the global impact of the papacy and the widespread interest in the direction it will take moving forward. Cardinals now bear the significant responsibility of choosing a successor who will not only lead the Catholic faithful but also address the critical questions facing the global community today.
At a recent conference, Cardinal Tagle addressed the need for the Church to evolve in its approach to marginalized communities. “The harsh words that were used in the past to refer to gays and divorced and separated people ... led to their isolation from wider society,” he noted, advocating for a more inclusive Church.
In contrast, Cardinal Sarah’s previous statements shed light on his conservative viewpoint. He once stated, “What Nazi-Fascism and Communism were in the 20th century, Western homosexual and abortion Ideologies and Islamic Fanaticism are today,” showcasing his critical stance on contemporary social issues.
The forthcoming conclave not only sets the stage for a potential shift in the Vatican’s direction but also acts as a reflection of the contemporary ideological struggles within the Church. As the cardinals gather, the eyes of the world remain fixed on the Vatican, awaiting the decision that will inevitably resonate across the globe.