Meanwhile, the biggest Catholic Church is preparing for its own historic papal conclave. At the same time, Pope Francis has transformed the election process, stacking the College of Cardinals by naming new cardinals. In making cardinal appointments, Francis has shown preference for cardinals from underrepresented parts of the world. This change has produced a College of Cardinals that more accurately reflects the global Catholic community. This change represents a new era for the Church as it starts a new Mediterranean journey under the leadership of this Pope’s successor.
This very smart move has raised cardinals from countries that had never before been represented. Today, countries such as Tonga, Myanmar, Mongolia, the Central African Republic, and Haiti have a say in the leadership. This appointment provides some much needed diversity in leadership. It matches Francis’s hope for a Church that better represents its global flock.
The impact of this reform goes well beyond the conclave. The next pope will inherit a responsibility to continue the major reforms initiated by Francis, which include efforts to institutionalize changes within the Church. We are doing this by giving women prominent roles, including ordaining them to the diaconate. We are taking steps to increase the participation of laity in our governance and discernment structures.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, 70, a Canadian prelate, has decades of experience running the Vatican’s office for appointing bishops. As chair, he is poised to influence greatly what Germany’s conclave decides to do. To his left and right are more influential figures. Perhaps most notably, Cardinal Peter Turkson heads the pontifical academy of sciences, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan is the archbishop of New York. Each of these leaders will be sure to steer conversations toward candidates who share Francis’s pastoral priorities.
Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, with his polyglot skills and long experience, deepens this dynamic. He’d be most likely to support a presidential candidate who reflects the kind of reforms John Francis is advocating. These cardinals will together try to elect a successor who is an indication of continuity with the present pope’s vision.
Cardinals above the age of 80 are ineligible to vote their age. Their involvement in meetings and discussions leading up to a conclave is still key. This collective deeply influences the dialogue and decisions as the conclave itself gets closer. They compliment consultants’ invaluable outside perspectives with years and decades of experience inside the Church.
The next papal election takes place with an unprecedented amount of outside pressure. There are organized groups within the Church seeking to sway the vote toward candidates that may not fully embrace Francis’s reformist agenda. Most of these factions have deep financial reserves and other organizational resources, and coordination with well-connected networks inside the United States.
With all of these variables in play, many observers are intensely focused on how these dynamics will play out in the run-up to the conclave. The cardinals are about to elect a new pope. They’re looking for a leader who not only understands the global challenges the Church is grappling with today, but one who embodies Francis’s vision for renewal.
