Latest news with #Vatican-watchers
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As the conclave for naming a new pope begins, is it time for a cardinal from Florida?
As the sacred practice of naming a new pope to replace Pope Francis is beginning in Vatican City, the question arises: Is it time a pope names a cardinal from Florida? To faithful and secular observers alike, naming a Sunshine State cardinal may seem like a no-brainer "yes." Florida is the third-largest in U.S. population and is the home of President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi. It is also the ideological center of the wealthiest and most powerful country on the planet. So, assigning a senior clergy member to speak on behalf of the Holy See and the pontiff would appear to be meritorious. "That does need to be examined," said John Yep, president and CEO of Catholics for Catholics, an organization closely aligned with Trump's policies. "As far as Florida, that could be something to look at because of its size and importance." Political power not enough to influence Catholic cardinal choice? Currently, cardinals lead U.S. Catholic archdioceses in major cities like Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., and Newark. They are among 252 cardinals, 21 of whom Pope Francis named in December. Besides casting votes to elect a pope, the members of the College of Cardinals act as close confidants to the pontiff. They participate in papal consistories that act on matters of significance to the church and are appointed to oversee the Curia, the church's administrative bureaucracy. The roles, therefore, give them a far more prominent bully pulpit back home. Bethesda-by-the-Sea flower guild members make hundreds of palm crosses in preparation for Palm Sunday services Friday March 22, 2024 in Palm Beach. The considerations in naming a cardinal, however, are far more complex and nuanced than Florida's supersized standing in American politics. Rather, they are rooted in the millennium-plus-old church's global interests and vantage points as well as the incumbent pope's preferences. On that landscape, Florida, with its bellwether power ranking in America, appears much humbler. The United States accounts for only 4% of the world's Catholics, a figure further dwarfed by the growth in the "global south" — Africa, Latin America and Asia. "It is not time for the Vatican to name a cardinal from Florida," Bryan T. Froehle, professor of sociology and religious studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University, wrote in an email. "There are plenty of cardinals in the USA, which is just a small bit of the world Catholic population." A 'lot of moving parts' in deciding where cardinals are assigned There are numerous other factors, too, as sheer demographics and influence are not enough. Vatican-watchers point out archdioceses in Los Angeles (the largest in America), Paris and Milan are not represented by cardinals. Michael Sean Winters, author and journalist at the National Catholic Reporter, notes that the selection of a cardinal is often more about a specific person and how they fit a particular archdiocese's needs. "The thing about a cardinal is that it is personal. You are chosen as an honor to the man," he said, adding that in the past decade, the "number one" priority has been choosing "somebody who is a good pastor." Winters said an example is Cardinal Robert McElroy, the former bishop of San Diego, who late last year was assigned by Pope Francis to lead the archdiocese in the nation's capital. He said McElroy is viewed as "the outstanding intellectual in the U.S. hierarchy," all the more important in an archdiocese with three Catholic universities, including Georgetown University. Winters added McElroy's appointment also made "sense for a variety of reasons," including his acumen with fiscal and budgetary matters. Cardinal Daniel Nicholas DiNardo of Steubenville, Ohio As for Florida, Winters said the assignment of a cardinal "is not impossible." He noted that Pope Benedict XVI named Cardinal Daniel DiNardo in 2007 to the Galveston-Houston archdiocese based on reasons similar to the case for Florida — the Texas region was growing fast and the state had emerged as a power player. Whether that is replicated in Florida, however, will first depend on the naming of new bishops across the state to replace those who are on the cusp of retirement — specifically, Winters said, a new archbishop in Miami, the sole Florida archdiocese. Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Maimi "It's not impossible, but it will depend on who that person that gets named there," Winters said. "There are a lot of moving parts." The man currently shepherding the state's largest concentration of Catholic churches and parishioners said it's not his call. "That's above my pay grade," said Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami. Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Pope conclave: Time for Florida Catholic cardinal in Trump home state?
Int'l Business Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Gamblers Favour Parolin As Bookies Cash In On Conclave Speculation
AFP The marble halls of the Vatican are fairly buzzing with intrigue. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Church's chief diplomat, has emerged as the man to beat in Catholicism's ultimate power contest – the race to claim the Chair of St Peter. Bookmakers have now installed Parolin as one of four frontrunners to don the white cassock when the time eventually comes, a development being watched with keen interest by Catholics worldwide and Vatican-watchers of every stripe. The Power Behind The Papal Throne At 69, the silver-haired Italian has spent years as Vatican Secretary of State – effectively the Pope's prime minister – quietly building alliances and demonstrating the diplomatic skills that have made him such a formidable presence in ecclesiastical circles. 'Parolin's rather brilliant at being all things to all cardinals,' confided a monsignor. 'He's never openly broken with Francis on progressive reforms, yet somehow reassures traditionalists he won't rock the boat too violently. That's no small feat in today's Church.' His resume is impeccable. From navigating the diplomatic minefield of Vatican-China relations to managing tensions with conservative American Catholics, Parolin has handled the thorniest issues with characteristic sangfroid. More importantly, he's cultivated relationships with cardinal-electors across the globe – the sort of connections that could prove decisive when votes are cast beneath Michelangelo's masterpiece. The world's focus remains on this papal selection, given its power to direct the path of a Christian faith followed by over 1.2 billion people. Choosing the new pope means setting the course for church teachings and resolving internal disagreements, with a clear divide between reformers and traditionalists. Issues of clear communication, church management, and the struggle to blend tradition with modern needs add to the election's importance. Voices On The Vatican Vote As US President Donald Trump prepared for his Michigan trip, journalists inquired about the upcoming papal selection process and his desired candidate. 'I'd like to be pope,' Trump said. I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility! The first Pope-U.S. President combination has… — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) April 29, 2025 'That would be my number one choice. No, I don't know, I have no preference...I must say we have a cardinal [Timothy Dolan, who has been the archbishop of New York since 2009] that happens to be out of a place called New York, who's very good. So, we'll see what happens,' the president added. Trump And Cardinal Dolan On The Conclave Reflecting on the current situation, Cardinal Timothy Dolan recalled, 'I was honoured to participate in the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013, and to have welcomed him here to New York in 2015,' as reported by Newsweek. 'He touched us all with his simplicity, with his heart of a humble servant. Trusting in the tender and infinite mercy of Jesus, we pray that he is, even now, enjoying his eternal reward in heaven. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace,' Cardinal Dolan said, as per Newsweek. As global attention remains fixed on the Catholic Church's future, an age-old practice has resurfaced with a modern twist: placing bets on who will be the next pope. Placing Bets On The Pontiff Polymarket, a prediction market platform, has captured worldwide attention by offering odds on who will become the next pope after Pope Francis's death on 21 April at the age of 88. BREAKING: Cardinal Pietro Parolin is the frontrunner to succeed Pope Francis as leader of the Catholic Church. See the full list of candidates & realtime papacy odds, only on Polymarket 👇 — Polymarket (@Polymarket) April 21, 2025 The crypto-powered prediction platform indicates that Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, Peter Turkson, and Matteo Zuppi are currently leading the papal contest. 4. Matteo Zuppi Since 12 December, 2015, Matteo Maria Zuppi has been the Archbishop of Bologna. This Italian prelate of the Catholic Church is also listed in fourth place on Polymarket's 'Who will be the next Pope?' bet, with odds suggesting a 13% chance. According to the College of Cardinals Report, born in Rome on 11 October 1955, Cardinal Zuppi has experienced a swift ascent within the Italian episcopate. This Italian prelate, situated on the Church's left political spectrum, would probably continue the direction set by Pope Francis, albeit with considerable input from the Sant'Egidio lay community, to which he is closely linked. 3. Peter Turkson Following closely in the betting stakes on Polymarket is Cardinal Peter Turkson, the 72-year-old from Ghana, currently holding 18% of the wagers. Should he be chosen as the next pope, the Standard reports that he would mark a historic moment as the first African pontiff in 1,500 years. This isn't Cardinal Turkson's first brush with papal consideration. He was appointed Ghana's first cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003 and was a leading candidate during the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. Though a frontrunner then, he was ultimately passed over. Now, his name resurfaces as a prominent papal possibility. 2. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, currently holding the second-highest chance of succeeding Pope Francis with 21% of the bets on Polymarket, is often called the 'Asian Francis' due to his strong commitment to social justice. According to the DailyBeast report, the 76-year-old would be the first pope from Asia. Here is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle dancing at the 2018 pre-synodal meeting with young people in Łódź, Poland. He is one of the leading candidates to become the next pope: — Wojciech Pawelczyk (@WojPawelczyk) April 23, 2025 1. Pietro Parolin According to Polymarket's 'Who will be the next Pope?' section, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin is currently the frontrunner, with a 24% chance of being elected. The 70-year-old Vatican Secretary of State since 2013 is also known as the 'deputy pope' and is considered a moderate choice, according to the Daily Beast. Born on 17 January 1955 in Schiavon, a town within the province and Diocese of Vicenza in Northern Italy, Cardinal Pietro Parolin felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age, entering the seminary in Vicenza at just fourteen. According to the College of Cardinals Report, Pietro Parolin has earned a strong reputation among secular diplomats as a reliable and respected papal figure in international relations. Many observe a career trajectory akin to that of Pope St. Paul VI, who also had a diplomatic background. The Next Pope The next pope will inherit a Catholic Church experiencing perhaps its deepest divisions since the Reformation. Bitter theological battles rage between progressive Catholics energised by Francis's more inclusive approach and traditionalists who fear the Church is sacrificing eternal truths on the altar of contemporary relevance. Originally published on IBTimes UK This article is copyrighted by the business news leader
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Pope Francis death: Ultra-conservatives are pushing for a Pope like them: Why it might not happen
After enduring a Pope for more than a decade whom some saw as damaging to the faith, American conservatives think this might be their moment. 'A large number of American conservative Catholics would basically dream of having Cardinal Burke as the next Pope, but they're disconnected to reality,' said Alejandro Bermúdez, a long-time figure in American conservative Catholic media who is consulting for the news site Catholic Vote. A senior Vatican official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to frame internal discussions dismissed Burke and Sarah – and candidates like them – out of hand. 'There is no space for them in the [minds of] the vast majority of the cardinals. They've got zero chance.' Of Turkson, a senior cleric who speaks six languages and is a favourite of traditionalists, the official noted that his removal by Pope Francis from a senior position in 2021 appeared to diminish his chances. Several other Vatican-watchers agreed. The Reverend Thomas Reese, an American priest who has written several books about the inner workings of the Catholic Church and has closely followed papal conclaves, called reports of an ultraconservative front-runner 'nonsense'. Some 80% of the cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis, Reese told the Washington Post, 'and they are not going to elect someone who is then going to stand up and say that the Francis papacy was a disaster and we're going back to the old church. That is not going to happen'. Reese said he thinks cardinals will look this time for a moderate. But what does that word mean? To some US conservatives, it means backing off things that seem to demote or dismiss traditional practices or doctrine: removing limitations Pope Francis put on the Latin Mass; refraining from things like establishing special policies around blessing LGBTQ couples; no futzing around with rules and traditions – such as appointing so many cardinals that the number is now over the norm. The Reverend Robert Sirico, a Michigan-based priest-commentator who went from same-sex marriage advocate to free-market conservative, said he thinks most US conservatives want a compromise on matters like the traditional Latin Mass, the ancient form of Catholic worship that Pope Francis strictly limited in 2021, saying it was becoming a sign of rebellion against the modern church. The Mass is said in Latin with the priest facing away from the congregation. 'Overall, conservative Catholics would just like some clarity and theological substance from Rome,' he wrote in an email to the Post. 'I have heard from 'folks in the pew' that they would also appreciate clear theological teaching on a host of matters (not all related to the hot-button issues) rather than what appears to have been an obsession with politics.' Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, a long-time Francis critic, said it was inappropriate to separate cardinals into 'these wrong categories, between conservative and liberal. Because Jesus didn't found two wings [of the church] ... there's one church and the church is united in the faith in Jesus Christ. And there is no conservative baptism or the progressive baptism,' he said in an interview with the Post. Yet some senior church conservatives have been extremely vocal in lobbying before the conclave, seeing the coming election as crucial to their bid to redirect the church after 12 years of Pope Francis' 'open door,' through which he reached out to groups including LGBTQ+ people and divorced and remarried Catholics. Some relatively conservative cardinals are considered serious candidates, led by Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary. But Erdo was never seen as part of the anti-Pope Francis set of archconservative bishops and cardinals who were extremely vocal in their criticism of the Pope, and who Pope Francis, in his last years, began to punish through demotions and removal of perks. Marco Politi, a long-time Vatican commentator, told the Post that 'behind the scenes', the 'low-level helpers of the conservatives are busy' promoting the idea around the conclave that Pope Francis' papacy was 'a disaster', he said. The point is to 'intimidate the reformers. We are in the first stage of the manoeuvres.' 'As we say in Italy, 'It's just tricks for the stupid',' Politi said, in response to the circulation of names like Sarah and Burke. The promotion of conservative candidates from some corners started almost immediately after Pope Francis' death was announced. 'Meet Cardinal Robert Sarah, who's in the running to be the next Pontiff. He's conservative, pro-life, anti-woke,' far-right influencer Ian Miles Cheong wrote on X on April 21, the day Pope Francis died. 'Already Cardinal Robert Sarah is trending,' The Pillar, a popular US Catholic news site, wrote of the Guinean cleric who strongly opposes priestly blessings of same-gender couples, noting the uptick in chatter while downplaying Sarah's prospects. Since then, some outlets have also sought to link Burke and President Donald Trump – apparently based on previous, flattering statements Burke has made about Trump, but also absent any evidence that the President has expressed a papal preference. Messages left for the White House press office as to the President's views on the conclave, and Burke, weren't returned. Social media campaigns are also running rampant. A 2019 video of one of the leading liberal contenders – Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines – singing John Lennon's ballad Imagine has gone viral. Some conservatives have shared it as evidence that Tagle is unworthy of being selected Pope because of the song's lyrics, which include the lines 'Imagine there's no heaven ... and no religion, too'. In pre-conclave meetings among cardinals that began last week – known as congregations – some conservatives have been lobbying for a traditionalist Pope. Bishop Athanasius Schneider, a conservative auxiliary bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan, has been advocating for a leader free from 'the materialistic, morally depraved and anti-Christian globalist agenda of this world' with a willingness to defend 'the integrity of ... Church discipline'. 'May all true sons and daughters of the Church implore the miracle of the election of a new Pope, who will be fully Catholic, fully Apostolic and fully Roman,' Schneider wrote in an open letter.
RNZ News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
What to expect at Pope Francis' funeral
By Giselda Vagnoni , Reuters Photo: MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZ RNZ will live blog the funeral from 7:30pm The funeral of Pope Francis, who died this week at the age of 88, takes place on Saturday in St. Peter's Square. Here is a guide to how events are expected to unfold: More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony in the vast square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. So far, around 50 heads of state have been confirmed as attending, including US President Donald Trump and 10 reigning monarchs. Leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, Brazil, EU institutions and Francis' home nation of Argentina have also confirmed their presence. On Friday evening, at the end of his lying-in-state in St. Peter's Basilica, Francis' coffin will be sealed in a private ceremony led by eight Catholic cardinals. The pope's face will be covered with a white silk veil and his body sprinkled with holy water. Papal items such as coins and medals that were minted during his pontificate will be placed into the casket. A special deed listing the key points of his 12-year papacy will also be placed in the casket. Francis asked to be buried in a simple zinc-lined wooden coffin, unlike his predecessors who were buried in three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead and oak. On Saturday morning, the pope's coffin will be taken out of the basilica and into the public square for the funeral. The funeral Mass is due to start at 10am local time (8pm New Zealand time) with a choir singing introductory rites in Latin. Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will deliver the homily and lead the Mass, which is expected to be con-celebrated by 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests near the altar, and more than 4000 other priests con-celebrating in the square. At the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, the sermon was delivered by German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would be elected 11 days later as Pope Benedict XVI. Re cannot enter the conclave that will elect Francis' successor as he is 91 years old, and he is not a papal contender. But Vatican-watchers believe he may still try to provide a guide for his fellow cardinals to follow. One prayer at the Mass will include petitions to God for all people and nations "to persevere in seeking the path of peace". In the "Final Commendation and Farewell", Re will commend the pope's soul to God and ask for consolation for the 1.4 billion member Roman Catholic Church. Near the end of the Mass, Re will say in Latin: "O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant and our Bishops, Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth." Re will then sprinkle the coffin with holy water and incense. At the end of the Mass, the choir will sing in Latin: "May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come and welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem." Francis will then be buried according to his wishes in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major), to which he had a special devotion. The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903. The funeral cortege will travel to the basilica from St. Peter's at walking pace. Crowds are expected to gather along the route, which is about 5.5 km long and will pass by many of Rome's famed monuments, including the Colosseum. A group of poor people will be present on the steps leading to Mary Major to pay their final respects to Francis, reflecting his devotion to serving the poor and oppressed during his reign. The burial will be a private service, but visitors to the tomb will be allowed shortly afterwards. The tomb will be inscribed only with the Latin name for Francis, Franciscus. The papal funeral marks the first of nine days of mourning for the global Church. Another Mass of mourning will be held in St. Peter's Square on Sunday. That will be led by Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is often viewed as a leading papal contender. In coming days, the Vatican will announce the date for the start of the conclave that will choose Francis' successor. This secret meeting of cardinals is unlikely to be before 6 May. - Reuters
Khaleej Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Pope Francis' funeral: 6 things to know about how the world will bid the pontiff farewell
The funeral of Pope Francis, who died this week at the age of 88, takes place on Saturday in St Peter's Square. Here is a guide to how events are expected to unfold: 1. Who is attending? More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony in the vast square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. So far, around 50 heads of state have been confirmed as attending, including U.S. President Donald Trump and 10 reigning monarchs. Leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, Brazil, EU institutions and Francis' home nation of Argentina have also confirmed their presence. 2. Closing of the coffin On Friday evening, at the end of his lying-in-state in St Peter's Basilica, Francis' coffin will be sealed in a private ceremony led by eight Catholic cardinals. The pope's face will be covered with a white silk veil and his body sprinkled with holy water. Papal items such as coins and medals that were minted during his pontificate will be placed into the casket. A special deed listing the key points of his 12-year papacy will also be placed in the casket. Francis asked to be buried in a simple zinc-lined wooden coffin, unlike his predecessors who were buried in three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead and oak. 3. Leading the funeral mass On Saturday morning, the pope's coffin will be taken out of the basilica and into the public square for the funeral. The funeral Mass is due to start at 10am local time (8GMT) with a choir singing introductory rites in Latin. Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will deliver the homily and lead the Mass, which is expected to be con-celebrated by 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests. At the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, the sermon was delivered by German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would be elected 11 days later as Pope Benedict XVI. Re cannot enter the conclave that will elect Francis' successor as he is 91 years old, and he is not a papal contender. But Vatican-watchers believe he may still try to provide a guide for his fellow cardinals to follow. 4. The final words One prayer at the Mass will include petitions to God for all people and nations "to persevere in seeking the path of peace". In the "Final Commendation and Farewell", Re will commend the pope's soul to God and ask for consolation for the 1.4 billion member Roman Catholic Church. Near the end of the Mass, Re will say in Latin: "O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant and our Bishops, Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth." Re will then sprinkle the coffin with holy water and incense. At the end of the Mass, the choir will sing in Latin: "May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come and welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem." 5. Burial Francis will then be buried according to his wishes in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major), to which he had a special devotion. The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903. The funeral cortege will travel to the basilica from St. Peter's at walking pace. Crowds are expected to gather along the route, which is about 5.5 km (3.4 miles) long and will pass by many of Rome's famed monuments, including the Colosseum. A group of poor people will be present on the steps leading to Mary Major to pay their final respects to Francis, reflecting his devotion to serving the poor and oppressed during his reign. The burial will be a private service, but visitors to the tomb will be allowed shortly afterwards. The tomb will be inscribed only with the Latin name for Francis, Franciscus. 6. What's next? The papal funeral marks the first of nine days of mourning for the global Church. Another Mass of mourning will be held in St. Peter's Square on Sunday. That will be led by Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is often viewed as a leading papal contender. In coming days, the Vatican will announce the date for the start of the conclave that will choose Francis' successor. This secret meeting of cardinals is unlikely to be before May 6.
