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France 24
06-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Lies, China ties and Macron's fettuccine: Conclave whisperers seek to sway pope's election
No sooner had Pope Francis been laid to rest in the Roman Basilica of St Mary Major, on April 26, than local media were busy cooking up a story about French 'manoeuvres' to elect his successor. The story revolved around two meals French President Emmanuel Macron attended before and after the pontiff's funeral: one with the founder of the influential Community of Sant'Egidio at a famous Roman eatery, the other with four French cardinal electors in the sumptuous grounds of the Villa Napoleone, France's Vatican embassy. The dinner and lunch were enough for the domestic press to cry foul and speak of a Gallican plot to secure the first French pope in more than five centuries. 'Macron even wants to choose the pope,' read a headline on right-wing newspaper La Verità, while the like-minded Roman daily Il Tempo criticised an 'interventionism worthy of the Sun King (Louis XIV)'. Libero, another conservative paper, quipped that the French president was attempting to 'crash the conclave' much as he had 'crashed' a meeting in St. Peter's Basilica between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. The uproar is indicative of the frenzy that has gripped Italy in the run-up to the conclave, which many Italians hope will return the papacy to one of their countrymen. It also reflects deep suspicion of the French president and the ties he has cultivated with the Community of Sant'Egidio, a champion of the progressive camp that was close to Francis. The French presidency issued a statement denying the 'undignified' rumours spread by the press. Andrea Riccardi, the Sant'Egidio founder, also dismissed talk of a French plot as 'idiocy', reportedly joking that he and Macron dined 'over a plate of fettucine, not escargot'. Vetos and geopolitics Whatever was discussed during Macron's Roman stay, analysts caution that any overt attempt to sway the conclave, which opens on Wednesday, May 7, is unlikely to bear fruit – and could even backfire. 'For a president to suggest he would like to see a cardinal from his country elected is a little chauvinistic but no big deal,' Olivier Mathonat, a communications expert and Vatican observer, told the told French Catholic radio station RCF. 'On the other hand, should there be more overt and insistent diplomatic manoeuvres, it would be a different matter,' Mathonat added. 'There is nothing cardinals hate more than to feel they are being manipulated.' Speaking on the same radio, Frédéric Mounier, a former Rome correspondent for Catholic daily La Croix, said the French president would have 'no influence whatsoever' over the conclave. There was a time when French kings did weigh heavily on papal elections, jostling for influence with other powerful Catholic monarchies, from the Spanish king to the Hapsburg emperor. Those days officially ended in 1904 with the abolition of 'jus exclusivae' – effectively a veto power – under Pius X. The previous year, Austria's Emperor Franz Joseph I had vetoed Cardinal Mariano Rampolla's candidacy, possibly on the grounds that he leaned towards France, in the last known use of 'jus exclusivae'. 02:51 Long a mirror of the power struggles between Catholic states and Italian noble families, the papal conclave now claims to be independent of outside influence. However, this does not prevent foreign diplomats and leaders from taking a close interest in the proceedings. Influence can still be exercised via the media, public opinion and the Catholic world's various ideological currents, as well as by securing strategic appointments within the Church itself. At the last conclave in 2013, geopolitical considerations are widely believed to have favoured the election of Pope Francis, reflecting a desire to balance global power dynamics and counter the rise of evangelical churches by appointing a pope from the Global South. Decades earlier, in 1978, the newly-elected pope John Paul II – the first non-Italian pope in 455 years – enjoyed the blessing of the United States, which saw the onset of a pontiff from Eastern Europe as a strong signal against the Soviet bloc. Indeed, Karol Wojtila's election sparked panic in Moscow, where the Polish cardinal's profound anti-communism was well-known, says Aaron Bateman, a professor of history and international relations at George Washington University. Writing in the security review War on the Rocks, Bateman noted that a declassified CIA report from that year 'presciently stated that a Polish pope would rejuvenate nationalism in Poland and the other Soviet-occupied states, posing a serious challenge to Soviet authority and stability.' Smear campaigns While traditional diplomatic channels have declined in influence when it comes to electing a pope, today's influencers use different means to sway a conclave, whether voicing opinions in the press or spreading rumours on social media. Two recent incidents have stood out as deliberate attempts to sabotage leading ' papabili ' – the cardinals seen as most likely candidates for pope – using underhand tactics. Soon after Francis's death, a six-year-old video of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a bookmakers' favourite to become pope, emerged on social media showing the Filipino prelate singing parts of John Lennon's 'Imagine'. American and Italian conservatives promptly accused Tagle, seen as a progressive in Francis's mould, of heresy. His supporters countered that he had sung an abbreviated version that excluded the lyrics about no heaven and no religion. Days later, Italy's Cardinal Pietro Parolin, another frontrunner in the race, became the target of a smear campaign when right-wing Catholic groups in the US relayed rumours that he had suffered a health scare and required medical treatment during pre-conclave meetings. A Vatican spokesman said the story was fabricated and Italian media soon spoke of 'crows' spreading 'poisonous' lies aimed at discrediting the 70-year-old cardinal, who served as the Vatican's no. 2 through much of Francis's pontificate. Many recalled a similar attempt to undermine the future Argentinian pope ahead of the 2013 conclave with claims he only had one lung. 'This was a clear attempt to penalise Parolin,' Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, who at 87 is too old to vote in this conclave, told Italy's Quotidiano Nazionale. Caving in to China Parolin's exposure as the Vatican secretary of state could pose a more serious threat to his papal chances, particularly regarding a deal with China he engineered in 2018 that gives the Chinese Communist Party a say in the appointment of Catholic bishops. Parolin's supporters say the controversial agreement helped end a decades-long standoff with China and prevent a schism between Catholics loyal to Beijing and those who went underground. Critics, however, argue that the deal sent a dangerous message to autocrats and signaled a betrayal of those who stood up to them. 'Generations of Chinese Catholics have been martyred for their refusal to accept Communist control of the Catholic Church,' John Allen Jr, editor of Catholic news website Crux, told the Financial Times on Monday. 'Others have been imprisoned, tortured, harassed and persecuted (...) and some of them regard this deal as a betrayal of their suffering.' 06:37 Parolin's dealings with China are likely to further alienate the more conservative US Catholic Church, as well as the current White House administration, which both yearn for a policy shift at the Vatican after Francis's broadly progressive pontificate. In the run-up to the conclave, prominent conservative journalists Edward Pentin, a Briton, and Diane Montagna, an American, prepared a 200-page book in English and Italian called 'The College of Cardinals Report', which includes profiles of 30 cardinals and their stand on key doctrinal and social issues. Montagna has been handing to cardinals as they enter and leave meetings in Rome. Pentin told Reuters the inclusion of profiles of several ultra-conservative cardinals generally seen as having no chance of being elected was to give space to the possibility of 'divine intervention' during the conclave. At the other end of the spectrum, progressive Catholics from northern Europe have penned an open letter urging cardinals to vote for continuity with Francis's reforms. Groups representing victims of the Church's sexual abuse scandals, meanwhile, have held news conferences in Rome to rate the actions of cardinals – and notably accuse Parolin of foot-dragging on the matter. As the Catholic Church prepares to open a new chapter in its history, the manoeuvres – both visible and concealed – are a reminder that papal elections remain eminently political, even behind the closed confines of the Sistine Chapel.
Russia Today
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Macron accused of interfering in papal conclave
French President Emmanuel Macron is attempting to influence the upcoming papal conclave in favor of a French candidate to become the next Pope, several conservative Italian media outlets have claimed. The reports emerged following meetings between the French leader and several cardinal electors, as well as a leader of an influential Catholic movement ahead of the conclave set to determine Francis' successor. Macron had lunch with four of the five cardinal electors of French descent, including Jean-Marc Aveline, the archbishop of Marseille, last Saturday on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral. The pontiff passed away on April 21. Last Friday, the French president also had dinner at a restaurant in Rome with Andrea Riccardi, the head of the Community of Sant'Egidio, a powerful Catholic association with more than 70,000 lay members in 74 countries, and which reportedly has clout over some members of the upcoming conclave. According to the Italian daily Il Tempo, the French leader asked the cardinals about ways to build a consensus around Aveline. The outlet called the cardinal – who is considered a contender to become the next Pope – an 'ultra-European, anti-sovereignist' and 'one of the most liberal' members of the conclave. The daily also described the meetings as an example of 'interventionism worthy of a new Sun King,' in an apparent reference to France's 17th century King Louis XIV, who sought to influence the election of a Pope through French cardinals. Another Italian paper, La Verita, directly accused Macron of seeking to choose the next Pope. The Elysee Palace did not officially comment on the agenda of the two meetings. The Community of Sant'Egidio denied the allegations, telling Le Monde on Thursday that Macron 'seeks to understand the process, not influence it.' Conservative Italian media linked the president's actions to his desire to regain international influence and mend ties with the Holy See, which reportedly soured under Pope Francis. These claims caught the attention of French news outlets, including Le Monde, which said their Italian colleagues were spreading 'rumors,' reflecting the mutual distrust between Paris and Rome. A conclave involving 135 cardinals is set to convene at the Vatican on May 7 to elect the next Pope.
Russia Today
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Macron attempts to interfere with papal conclave
French President Emmanuel Macron is attempting to influence the upcoming papal conclave in favor of a French candidate to become the next Pope, several conservative Italian media outlets have claimed. The reports emerged following meetings between the French leader and several cardinal electors, as well as a leader of an influential Catholic movement ahead of the conclave set to determine Francis' successor. Macron had lunch with four of the five cardinal electors of French descent, including Jean-Marc Aveline, the archbishop of Marseille, last Saturday on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral. The pontiff passed away on April 21. Last Friday, the French president also had dinner at a restaurant in Rome with Andrea Riccardi, the head of the Community of Sant'Egidio, a powerful Catholic association with more than 70,000 lay members in 74 countries, and which reportedly has clout over some members of the upcoming conclave. According to the Italian daily Il Tempo, the French leader asked the cardinals about ways to build a consensus around Aveline. The outlet called the cardinal – who is considered a contender to become the next Pope – an 'ultra-European, anti-sovereignist' and 'one of the most liberal' members of the conclave. The daily also described the meetings as an example of 'interventionism worthy of a new Sun King,' in an apparent reference to France's 17th century King Louis XIV, who sought to influence the election of a Pope through French cardinals. Another Italian paper, La Verita, directly accused Macron of seeking to choose the next Pope. The Elysee Palace did not officially comment on the agenda of the two meetings. The Community of Sant'Egidio denied the allegations, telling Le Monde on Thursday that Macron 'seeks to understand the process, not influence it.' Conservative Italian media linked the president's actions to his desire to regain international influence and mend ties with the Holy See, which reportedly soured under Pope Francis. These claims caught the attention of French news outlets, including Le Monde, which said their Italian colleagues were spreading 'rumors,' reflecting the mutual distrust between Paris and Rome. A conclave involving 135 cardinals is set to convene at the Vatican on May 7 to elect the next Pope.
Euronews
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Is France's Emmanuel Macron trying to influence who will be picked as the next pope?
ADVERTISEMENT The French president's slew of meetings with top cardinals and high-level officials of the Catholic Church on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican last Saturday has caused a stir in Italy, with speculation rife that Macron might be attempting to influence the selection of the next pontiff, Borgia-style. In what the Italian press dubbed "interventionism of the modern Sun King," Emmanuel Macron held a meeting at the French embassy in Rome with four compatriots who will be present at the conclave: Archbishop of Marseille Jean-Marc Aveline, Bishop of Ajaccio François Bustillo, Apostolic Nuncio to the US Christophe Pierre and Archbishop Emeritus of Lyon Philippe Barbarin. Two of them — Aveline and Bustillo — are full-fledged cardinals and are considered to be among the contenders to become the next pontiff. Prior to the embassy get-together, Macron supposedly shared a meal at a notable Roman restaurant with Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio, a highly influential Church organisation known for its charity work and peace missions abroad. This was enough for the domestic press to come to believe that the French leader was organising a pre-conclave of his own, intent on pushing for his own favourite — and, if possible, a French one. However, Riccardi — who is believed to have the ear of many a cardinal as one of the most well-connected people within the Church and also has a soft spot for France, where he studied — dismissed the rumours on Thursday, telling Italian newspaper Il Foglio that the Macron-Sant'Egidio conspiracy was "idiocy". Riccardi and Macron had "fettuccine, not escargot," he said — indicating that the story of the two breaking bread while fomenting a cabal was, by and large, overblown. French President Emmanuel Macron, Finland's President Alexander Stubb and US President Donald Trump, attend the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, 26 April 2025 AP Photo Furthermore, Cardinals Aveline and Bustillo's chances of being elected as the next pontiff are slim, according to experts. Aveline's Italian — the working language of the Holy See — is seemingly lacking, while Bustillo, who speaks fluent Italian due to his Corsican roots, might be too young at the age of 56, due to the belief that the Church would be wary of a protracted pontificate. France has not had a pope since the 14th century. The last pontiff from the country was Pope Gregory XI, who died in 1378. Meanwhile, Pope Francis' death and the upcoming conclave, set for next Wednesday, have attracted interest from many world leaders, including US President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, Trump threw his hat in the ring by saying he "would like to be pope," further jesting that he would be his own "number one choice" for the next pontiff. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham backed Trump's pitch on X, saying Trump would "truly be a dark horse candidate," and asking the conclave and the faithful "to keep an open mind" about the possibility. 'The first pope-US president combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke... Trump MMXXVIII,' Graham concluded.
New York Times
02-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
A Pastor of the Poor Skilled in Conflict Resolution
When the Archbishop of Bologna, Matteo Zuppi, received his cardinal's red hat on Oct. 5, 2019, his day ended with a Mass celebrated in the square of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, a neighborhood in central Rome where he found his direction as a teenager and later served as a priest. 'My life, or rather life itself, is always made up of so many pieces that have shaped us and are part of me,' Cardinal Zuppi, now 69, said during his homily that evening. 'Today I can see, and I believe we all see it, the joy of being together as a piece of our common life, exactly the opposite of individualism.' Many of those gathered to wish him well during that Mass knew him from his days as a teenage volunteer for the Community of Sant'Egidio, a Catholic charity known for working with the poor, for interreligious dialogue and for mediating international conflicts. After he became a priest, he went on to become a vicar at the basilica and for years, he was a spiritual leader of the Community of Sant'Egidio, which prays at Santa Maria in Trastevere. Now he is among the cardinals frequently mentioned by Vatican watchers as a contender to be pope. As a priest and a bishop he embraced a pastoral vision of ministry similar to Francis', and he would be expected to continue his approach if elected. For many Romans, Cardinal Zuppi is known as 'Don Matteo' — the name of a crime-solving priest on Italian TV. When Francis tapped him to become a cardinal in 2019, he seemed a perfect fit for a pontiff who was trying to welcome back into the fold Catholics who felt geographically, pastorally and ideologically alienated. Cardinal Zuppi was welcoming to L.G.B.T.Q. Roman Catholics and wrote an introduction for the Italian edition of a 2017 book about reaching out to gay Catholics by the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and writer. Sharing Francis' aversion to the trappings of his position, Cardinal Zuppi rode a bike around Bologna after he became the Italian city's archbishop in 2015, just as Francis rode the public bus while he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. And like Francis, who chose to live in a modest Vatican guesthouse instead of the opulent Apostolic Palace, Cardinal Zuppi moved into a home for retired priests in Bologna. Cardinal Zuppi, too, developed an international reputation, stepping into some of the world's bloodiest conflicts. With Sant'Egidio, he was a chief negotiator in talks that led to the 1992 peace accord that ended a civil war in Mozambique. He participated in many other peace talks, not all of which produced results. In 2023, Pope Francis chose Cardinal Zuppi to be a peace envoy between Ukraine and Russia. While he was unable to bring about peace, many Ukrainians considered the mission a success. They saw it as 'one of the greatest expressions of support for Ukraine on the part of the Holy See,' said Andrii Yurash, Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican. It encouraged other countries to support dialogue and helped facilitate the exchange of prisoners and children, Mr. Yurash said. On the day of Francis' funeral, Cardinal Zuppi met with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who 'expressed our appreciation, our gratitude,' for what the Vatican had done, Mr. Yurash added. But Cardinal Zuppi's association with the Community of Sant'Egidio could work against him in the election for the next pope, according to Sandro Magister, a Vatican expert. 'An ever-greater number of cardinal electors are wary of a pontificate that would be at serious risk of being run by an external oligarchy,' Mr. Magister said, referring to the group, calling it a 'formidable machine' that under Francis achieved outsize power within the Vatican. Other critics have pointed out that Cardinal Zuppi's connections helped to fast track his early career: His father worked inside the Vatican, and through his mother, Cardinal Zuppi is the grandnephew of a once-powerful Italian cardinal. Francis named him president of the Italian Bishops' Conference in 2022, choosing him from a group of three candidates voted by bishops. One of his first acts was to open an inquiry on sex abuse by Catholic clergy in Italy. The first report of the inquiry was disappointing because it lacked scope and independence, said Francesco Zanardi, founder and president of Rete l'Abuso, an Italian victims' rights group. Mr. Zanardi partly blamed Italian law, which does not require the church to report abuse crimes to civil authorities, so Cardinal Zuppi was 'following the letter of the law,' he said. Yet even the cardinal's critics said that the inquiry was more than his predecessors had done in a country where clergy sexual abuse has not had a public reckoning. Mr. Zanardi said that Cardinal Zuppi had met with him numerous times and did not shy from confrontation. That does not surprise people who know him. Mario Marazziti, of Sant'Egidio, said that over the years, Cardinal Zuppi had 'developed an experience of dialogue between those who are fighting between opposing worlds' and, with that, an ability for reconciliation.
