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On the eve of a conclave as solemn as they are hectic, the Catholic church is preparing to elect a successor to pope Francis, disappeared on Easter Monday. Between internal tensions, diplomatic maneuvers and viral polemics, the election of the next pontiff is now played under the acute gaze of cameras … and social networks.
Twelve years after the election of Pope Francis, the Catholic church organizes this Wednesday, May 7, a conclave to find a successor to the Pope of the poor who died on Easter Monday. It is an understatement to say that this conclave meets in an electrical atmosphere scrutinized by the media and social networks, which play a key role in lighting behind the scenes and preparation for preparation where real background questions are jostling as unusual events.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1918502592335724809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The latest came from the United States: Donald Trump, who won 56 % of the Catholic vote in the last presidential election, and declared the day of François’ death “I would like to be Pope. It would be my number one choice ”. On Saturday, he published on his social network Truth Social, an image generated by artificial intelligence where we see it … in the Pope’s clothes! The image, republished by the X account of the White House scandalized the American clergy. “There is nothing intelligent or funny in this image, Mr. President. We have just built our dear Pope Francis and the cardinals are preparing to enter into a solemn conclave to elect a new successor from Saint Peter. Do not make fun of us, ”write the American prelates.
In Rome, preparations give rise to all kinds of speculation … and fake news. The Elysée had officially had to deny the article from an Italian newspaper which claimed that Emmanuel Macron invited himself to the conclave to put pressure on the choice of the future Pope. The president had simply had lunch with the French cardinals who will participate in the conclave …
“Macron also invites himself to the conclave”
Faux ! https://t.co/8A93LtHJUA pic.twitter.com/O6eTzGpNQ7
– Élysée (@elysee) https://twitter.com/Elysee/status/1918373694516445488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Defection and a college of 133 cardinals
The church must also manage annoying internal vagaries. A cardinal has thrown in the towel on Saturday, while consultations will accelerate in the Vatican this Monday. “I have absolutely no ambition. I could never imagine myself in this role, ”said he messaggero the archbishop of Rabat Cristobal Lopez Romero. Two cardinals, whose identity has not been revealed, will be absent for health reasons, which brings back the number of cardinals expected to 133.
Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was found guilty of diversion of millions of euros in 2023 by a Court of First Instance of the Vatican, decided not to participate in the conclave after several days of controversy. Another South American cardinal has been accused of sexual assault
Battle between progressives and conservatives among the papabile
In any case at 48 hours from the start of the conclave and while the development of the Sistine Chapel ends, the suspense remains whole on the name of François’s successor. The cardinals gathered on Saturday morning for the ninth time in “general congregation” to prepare.
This Monday consultations – negotiations – will accelerate with new meetings of all cardinals (voters or not) in “general congregation”. These meetings allow prelates to discuss the challenges of the church and to share their reflections. On Saturday morning the discussions approached communion, solidarity between churches and the role of the curia in particular.
DDM – Philippe Rioux
And as expected, two lines are taking shape and compete between progressive modernists who want to continue the work of François and conservative traditionalists who are more in the positions defended by Benoît XVI.
Several names of “papabile” – the possible popes – have been circulating for several days including that of the French Mgr Aveline. But to direct 1.4 billion Catholics, geographic and geopolitical questions also come into play.
Unless surprised, the conclave should last two or three days.
