This conclave, some of the most influential cardinals won't even be inside

Australia Broadcast Center

30-04-2025

As dean of the College of Cardinals, this is supposed to be Giovanni Battista Re's moment.
The Italian is about as close to a Vatican lifer as you can get; ordained in 1957, aged 23, before joining the Holy See's administrative arm four years later and working his way up the ranks.
He's held many prestigious roles in the decades since.
For 11 years, Cardinal Battista Re served as substitute for general affairs, which, contrary to what its name suggests, is not temporary at all. You're effectively the pope's chief of staff.
He also headed the Congregation of Bishops, which is the primary body which selects who among the clergy will be promoted to lead dioceses, between 2000 and 2010.
Now, as the person in charge of the College of Cardinals, it's his job oversee the secretive ritual of the conclave, in which a new pope will be selected.
Although there's an issue: Cardinal Battista Re won't be in the Sistine Chappel when voting begins next week.
At 91, he's too old, and not permitted to take part (cardinals aged over 80 aren't allowed to vote).
That doesn't mean he won't have a significant influence.
Large crowds have descended on the Vatican over the past fortnight.
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Cardinals have been holding formal meetings since the day after Pope Francis died to make decisions about the litany of procedural steps that follow.
But as more and more arrive at the Catholic Church's headquarters, Vatican insiders have said the agenda can shift away from administrative issues to the conclave.
While campaigning is forbidden, these closed-door meetings, which Cardinal Battista Re will oversee, are an opportunity for would-be pontiffs to test the waters.
It's a delicate balance for candidates who will likely get nowhere if they openly canvass support, but must also do something to get noticed.
Difficult? Absolutely. But not impossible.
Read more about Pope Francis's death:
In the lead-up to the most recent conclave 13 years ago, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was then a cardinal from Argentina, gave a speech at one of these meetings that lasted less than five minutes, according to multiple reports.
Whatever vision he outlined for the church must have landed, because he emerged from the subsequent conclave, which lasted a rather brisk two days, as Pope Francis.
Photo shows
Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel.
Electing a new pope is a centuries-old process that involves the Catholic Church's most senior officials from around the world, and two different colours of smoke.
Hendro Munsterman, the Vatican correspondent for Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad said the days before the conclave started were crucial for cardinals, who are spread all over the planet.
"They will probably also need time to get to know each other during these first days when they meet before the conclave starts," he said.
"Then we'll see if there is, I would not say factions, but if there are some similarities in the analysis of the church's situation ... if they think the direction Pope Francis gave the Catholic Church is something to go on and to pursue."
The Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, Leonardo Sandri, also won't be able take part on the conclave, because he's 81.
That means the largely ceremonial role of overseeing the voting inside the Sistine Chapel will fall to the oldest current cardinal, Spain's Carlos Osoro Sierra.
Nuns watch on during Pope Francis's funeral at the weekend.
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The youngest cardinal taking part in the conclave will be Ukrainian-born Melbourne bishop Mykola Bychok.
The 45-year-old was elevated to the position last year, and said he would approach the decision with "humility and responsibility".
"This is an historic moment for the church, for the world, and for me as a young cardinal," he said last week.
"It is a moment of learning, of listening and of standing in unity with my brothers from around the globe."
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who holds the position of camerlengo, will also have a significant role in the conclave.
Since Pope Francis's death, the 77-year-old has effectively been the Holy See's caretaker, and will continue in that role until a new pontiff is selected.
He's also charged with running preparations for the conclave, ensuring the election process is conducted according to tradition, along with three scrutineers, who'll count the votes.