As the Vatican prepares to elect a new pope, the legacy of Pope Francis looms large, casting a shadow over the conclave and its potential impact on the Catholic Church.
The Divides Behind the Scenes in the Vatican Ahead of the Conclave
The Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse has 128 rooms, but one room remains sealed with a red ribbon since its occupant passed away on Easter Monday. This suite will only be reopened when the new pope is chosen. The ribbon serves as a tangible reminder of the man whose shoes the cardinals are looking to fill – Pope Francis.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis, is the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church.
Born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was ordained as a priest in 1969 and served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998 to 2013.
He was elected Pope in 2013, becoming the first Jesuit Pope and the first Pope from the Americas.
Known for his humility and commitment to social justice, Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of compassion, mercy, and care for the poor and vulnerable.
Pope Francis’s presence looms large over this conclave in many profound ways. He spent 12 years in the role, appointed around 80% of the cardinals who will select his successor, and looked to radically shake up the workings of the Catholic Church. His focus was on connecting with the world outside the faith, particularly those on the margins.
The new conclave is the most diverse there has ever been, with countries like South Sudan, Papua New Guinea, and Rwanda represented for the first time. This diversity has already made its mark: pre-conclave meetings have brought to the fore how different the needs of the Church appear to be depending on where in the world they are viewed.
A Spiritual Leader, Statesman, Global Influencer
Pope Francis appointed about 80% of the cardinals who will select his successor. The official titles he will inherit give a sense of the breadth of the role: Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, and Sovereign of the State of Vatican City.
‘The agenda of the Vatican is driven to an extent by where the pope reigning at the time puts their emphasis,’ says Chris Trott, British ambassador to the Holy See. ‘On the face of it a very tiny state, [but it is] one that punches many, many times above its weight.’
Pope Francis became a powerful global spokesman on behalf of those on the margins, including the poor and victims of war. He also tried to play the role of peacemaker, though not everyone thought he was successful in that regard.
Confusion Around Pope Francis’s Vision
For many voting cardinals, it is primarily issues within the Catholic Church that are under the spotlight. However, the type of pope they want as a manager and someone who runs the Church’s administrative body and its ministries is also a consideration.
Pope Francis worked on improving the way the Church deals with huge issues such as sexual abuse and financial corruption. His successor will have to ensure that reforms are evenly applied across the Catholic world.
Even supporters of Pope Francis’s efforts to make changes to the way the Church relates to its rank-and-file believers were sometimes left confused about how exactly he envisioned things should work.
The Biggest Issues
One mission Pope Francis had was to take some of the power and decision-making away from the Vatican hierarchy and into the hands of rank-and-file Catholics. Over nearly four years, he commissioned a poll of many of the world’s Catholics to find out what mattered to them. The results related to greater roles for women in the running of the church and welcoming LGBT+ Catholics.
Throughout his pontificate, some vocal traditionalists opposed what they saw as Pope Francis straying from Church teaching and long-standing tradition. In the pre-conclave meetings of cardinals, a number of those over the age of 80 took the opportunity to play their part, criticizing Pope Francis for ‘imposing his own ideas’ by attempting to move Church governance away from the clergy.
The applause at Pope Francis’s funeral homily – which resonated with the public in attendance and was heard loud and clear by the rows of cardinals – highlighted the themes he chose to champion: the dignity of migrants, an end to war, and the environment. This applause serves as a reminder that there is a sense that the pope’s voice is needed, carrying forward the message of connection with the world outside the faith.
A Task Ahead
From the death of Pope Francis to the moment cardinals checked into the Santa Marta guesthouse, there appeared to be a trend towards a desire for continuity of what Pope Francis had achieved. However, this vision could also bring along more of his sceptics in a pragmatic way.
The word ‘unity’ has been talked about a lot after a period where the divides between supporters and detractors of the Pope’s vision became ugly. But when cardinals step into the Sistine Chapel for the conclave, they will be urged to let God and the Holy Spirit guide them.
