“10 years of civil war”. We reveal the backstage of the election of Pope Leon XIV
Leon XIV is a global clergy, as Latin, as North American, and potential bridge builders between two Catholic worlds more and more moving away from each other. – He is like the owner of a double passport, the perfect pope for the present times – says Miles Pattenden, a papacy historian and lecturer at the Oxford University.
During secret meetings before the conclave The first violin was played by Cardinals from Latin America. The favored Pietro Parolin, a leading diplomat of the Holy See, quickly dropped out in the race.
Prevost's predecessor, Pope Francis, born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, He struggled with deepening divisions in the church divided along geographical and ideological lines.
Traditionalists who still perceived the institution as fundamentally western, stood in opposition to millions of new Catholics from outside the Old Continent, as well as to progressors who wanted the Church to adapt to the modern, liberal world.
Although he was born in Chicago, he spent the 69-year-old most of his clergy abroad as a missionary and teacher in Peru. He speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, as well as in English. However, he also knows the ruthless world of Vatican politics and protocolacting as the chairman of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in the Vatican, where he was also responsible for the appointment of new bishops.
Leon XIV. Backstage of choosing a new pope
– reveals the Politico informant from the Vatican.
The speed at which this relatively unknown candidate was elected Pope indicates his success in building a wide support. Was announced on Thursday around 19:15 and chosen after four votes – They were one of the fastest papal elections in modern history. The church leaders probably wanted to show unity after years of division during Franciszek's pontificate. – It was 10 years of civil war – emphasizes the Vatican observer Marco Politi.
Simultaneously His nomination did not calm ultra -conservativeswho have long been dissatisfied with Franciszek's reformation, and indicates that the progresses have gained the advantage in the conclave despite the feverish attempts to influence the conservatives supporting the magician.
“It's more or less what I expected – in terms of substance it is the same as Bergoglio, but a bit alleviated in terms of style,” says Benjamin Harnwell, a close ally of the former Trump's strategist Steve Bannon and the European correspondent of the “War Room” podcast.
“Indeed, Prevost has already signaled that he would continue the tradition of Francis,” explains Stephen Schneck, former director of the Institute of Political Research and Catholic Studies at the Catholic University of America.
The spokesman for the Vatican Matteo Bruni said that the name Leon XIV is a tribute to Pope Leon XIII, a nineteenth-century clergyman who introduced a modern social doctrine to the church and defended the rights of employees. “This is not an accidental reference,” he argues.
Teaching Leon XIII “created a part of the church that supports ecology, racial justice and a more democratic approach. I think it is a very good choice for the world in which authoritarianism is growing,” adds Schneck.
And further: – What he said in his speech shows that he would continue the work of Francis, emphasizing solidarity and marginalized. Of course, it will not be the same, but he will continue the tradition of Francis.
“He is not Franciszek's man”
Simultaneously Prevost has already distanced himself from the warm personalism and radicalism of his deceased predecessor. In particular, his Thursday decision to establish a traditional red stole, which Benedict XVI wore, but whom Francis avoided, signals “a certain degree of conservatism” – emphasizes Pattenden.
“He is not a man of Francis,” the interlocutor cited above, who knew Franciszek. “He is not a Franciscan,” he is close to Francis, but he is not a real candidate continuing his work, which tagle would be, “he adds, referring to the Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, considered a progressive favorite.
For some, this is confirmed – at least partial – the popular belief that new popes are always a counterweight to their predecessors, which personifies the famous Italian saying “a fat pope, a thin pope”.
“They decided that a thin pope is needed, who would be able to manage matters, effectively manage and restore the order in the chaotic functioning of the church, which Francis left behind,” sums up Pattenden.
