Latest news with #CongregationofBishops
ABC News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
This conclave, some of the most influential cardinals won't even be inside
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. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) 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. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) 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.
Int'l Business Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Who Is Cardinal Raymond Burke, Donald Trump's Preferred Candidate To Succeed Pope Francis
As Catholics around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, Vatican authorities are also kicking off the process to replace him. After holding a period of mourning, the Vatican will hold the millenary process known as the Conclave, where Cardinals will decide who the next pontiff will be. While all baptized Catholics are eligible, only cardinals have been elected since the 14th century, more precisely 1378. The winner has to get at least two-thirds of the votes from cardinals under 80 years of age, which are those eligible to vote. There are less than ten cardinals believed to be in the shortlist to succeed Pope Francis, two of them from the U.S. But one of them, Raymond Burke, appears to be the one President Donald Trump prefers. Aged 76, Burke is highly conservative and has been highly critical of the late pope. A potential election would mark a sharp turn in the direction of the church, as he has taken a hard stance against the softening of policies toward LGBTQ people, divorce and the role of women in church. Burke has openly supported Trump. When Francis criticized the president's initiative to build the wall at the southern border, Burke said the Republican was "defending the values of the church." Pope Francis did not appear to hold Burke in high esteem either. When he was appointed, he took Burke off the Congregation of Bishops, the body that helps the Pope elect new bishops. He also removed Burke from the Supreme Tribunal, claiming that the move had already been planned and he was not punishing him. Francis also cancelled Burke's rent-free agreement for his apartment in Rome and his €5,000 monthly salary, although he framed it as a reassignment of privileges. The cardinal said he thought it was clear "the pope doesn't want me in any leadership position," although clarified that he "never had the impression that he thinks I'm his enemy." Originally published on Latin Times
