Asger Risom
As conclave nears, internal Church divisions and global politics converge in the search for a successor
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With the death of Pope Francis, a new conclave will soon convene behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel.
But what lies ahead is more than a ceremonial process—it’s a battle for the future direction of the Roman Catholic Church, one that may pit reformist ideals against traditionalist pushback.
Of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote, nearly 110 were appointed by Francis himself.
While this would seem to secure his legacy, insiders suggest the group is far from unified. The next pope could continue Francis’ progressive reforms—or mark a dramatic return to conservatism.
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Tensions Beneath the Robes
During his 12-year papacy, Francis sought to shift the Church toward humility, inclusivity, and global outreach.
He championed migrants, criticized capitalism, and called for action on climate change. Yet his critics, including several cardinals he appointed, pushed back fiercely.
German Cardinal Gerhard Müller, for example, openly condemned the Vatican’s recent approval of blessings for same-sex couples as “heresy.” In the U.S., Cardinal Raymond Burke—an ally of Donald Trump and a vocal opponent of LGBTQ rights—remains a powerful figure among American conservatives, despite Francis stripping him of his Vatican perks.
This internal tension, long simmering beneath the surface, is now poised to shape the outcome of the conclave.
External Forces at Play
According to Vatican journalist Iacopo Scaramuzzi, geopolitics will play a subtle but significant role. “Trump, China, nationalists… all of this will matter in some way,” he told HotNews.ro.
While Francis tried to globalize the Church’s leadership, critics may now favor a “less charismatic, more orderly” figure.
Among the contenders are both reform-minded and hardline cardinals—each representing divergent visions for Catholicism’s future. With Benedict XVI and other conservative figureheads now gone, the conclave may offer an inflection point for the Church, either deepening Francis’ legacy or sharply diverging from it.
As reported by HotNews.ro, all eyes are now on Rome, where centuries of doctrine, modern politics, and papal personalities collide in the sacred theater of succession.
