Aleem Maqbool
Religious Editor
BBC
The Vatican Santa Marta Guesthouse offers 128 rooms. From May 7th, you will be filled with Cardinals who will join the Conclave to elect the next Pope. However, one room in the guesthouse is still sealed with a red ribbon as the resident died there since his death on Easter on Monday.
The suite will only resume when a new Pope is elected. The ribbon remains a concrete reminder of the man who is about to fill the shoes that the Cardinals wear, but the presence of Pope Francis looms large on this conclave in many deep ways.
He spent 12 years in the role and appointed around 80% of the Cardinals to choose successors. He also fundamentally shakes the work of the Catholic Church, moving its center of gravity away from the Vatican hierarchy in the faithful direction of classes and files around the world, focusing on the poor and marginalized people.
My conversation with the Cardinals and my conversations assessing the church needs of the days leading up to this Pope election almost always look at what Pope Francis needs through the prism of what Pope Francis was in his role.
Recently, cooperation appears to have increased on the idea that Francis should build his work, but some of his critics remain far from convincing. So, is there enough to shake up the vote as the church tries to harmonize the various outlooks and realities facing around the world?
The most diverse conclaves
During the two weeks following the death of the Pope, the Cardinals met almost every day at the Vatican for a pre-competitive gathering known as the Generals.
The Sistine Chapel Conclave is limited to Cards who are not yet 80 years old (133 people will participate in this one), but these preliminary meetings are open to all 252 Cards. Each attendee gave up to five minutes to air the view, but it turns out that some attendees took longer.
In a speech of less than four minutes ahead of the final Conclave in 2013, during such a meeting, Pope Francis, known at the time as the Cardinal of Argentina Jorge Bergolio, spoke about the need to connect with people from a distant range of the Catholic world.
Getty Images
The new conclave is the most diverse yet – representing first-time countries, including South Sudan, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda
As Pope, he raised a conscious will to appoint Cardinals from such places. This is why it is the most diverse conclave ever. For the first time, Cape Verde, Haiti, South Sudan, Tonga, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda will be represented.
That diversity has already built that mark. Pre-Conclave meetings are said to be totally different from what appears to differ from what church needs differ depending on where in the world they see.
For example, in Europe, the main consideration for some might be to reinvigorate the church’s mission and find relevant ways to face a shrinking congregation, whereas in Africa or Asian countries, concerns may revolve around social issues, poverty and conflict resolution.
The future Pope could be the one who at least demonstrated a perception of these very different realities.
Spiritual leaders, politicians, global influencers
The official titles inherited by the new Pope are the Bishop of Rome, the pastor of Jesus Christ, the successor to the Apostle Prince, the Supreme Bishop of the Universal Church, among them the sovereigns of the Vatican city.
Some have a deep connection to spirituality, but the end of these titles suggests the need for politicians, given that the Pope is the smallest but leader in the world.
Getty Images
Pope Francis appointed about 80% of the Cardinals to choose his successor
“Unlike your average state, the Vatican agenda is driven to the extent that the Pope of the time put their emphasis,” says Chris Trott, British Ambassador to the British Holy See. “It’s a very small situation facing me, [but it is] It punches more punches than its weight.
“And since Pope Francis had 50 million followers on Twitter, [it is] He is in a very small state and an incredible global influencer. ”
Pope Francis chose to amplify this part of this role and became a powerful global spokesman on behalf of the marginal people, including the poor and victims of war.
He also tried to play the role of a piecemaker, but no one thought he was successful in that regard, particularly in relation to China and Russia.
Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky met at the Vatican at Pope Francis’ funeral
According to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the most senior Catholic figure in England and Wales, this expansion of the role is one reason why many people outside of faith are invested in Conclave results.
“There’s a sense that the pope of Pope Francis has become a person who speaks to everyone in the world… religious people, and even those who have no religious affiliation,” he says.
“We are increasingly aware that Catholics are not the only ones interested in this.”
Confusion over Pope Francis’ vision
For many voting cardinals, it is primarily an issue within the Catholic Church, which is under the spotlight, which brings up the type of Pope and Church administration and who runs its ministries that they want as managers.
Pope Francis is working to improve the way the church deals with the major issues of sexual abuse and financial corruption, but it is his successor to ensure that reforms are applied equally across the Catholic world.
Even supporters of Pope Francis have been confused as to how things should work, even in his efforts to change the way the Church relate to its ranks and his followers of the File, and in his efforts to make a difference in the way he builds bridges with people outside of his faith.
Getty Images
Pope Francis’ funeral message, which appears to resonate with attendees, included the dignity of immigrants, the end of the war, and the environment
Pope Francis openly spoke about subjects ranging from climate change to economic transparency within the Vatican, and changed the tone of social issues through comments he made. However, through his Holy See, some were unclear what he meant and how it would apply.
One mission he had was to take away some of the power and decision-making in the hands of rank and file Catholics from the Vatican hierarchy.
Over almost four years, with great effort, he has effectively asked for polls of many Catholics around the world to find out what is important to them. The public was invited to attend the latest bishop meeting where the findings of the survey were discussed.
Getty Images
Nun attends prayer in honor of Pope Francis of Vatican City
The biggest issues raised relate to the administration of the church and the larger role of women in welcoming LGBT+ Catholics. However, the meeting ended with some confusion. There were very few specific steps.
Therefore, there is a general sharpness to make it clearer from the new Pope.
The Ugly Divorce: Supporters and Critics
In his Pope, some voiced traditionalists opposed what was considered Pope Francis, who strayed from the teachings of the Church and long-standing traditions.
At the previous meeting of the Cardinals, many of those over the age of 80 (who were not involved in the vote due to their age) played their part.
Most of the contributions remained secret, but what was reported was the contributions of 83-year-old Italian cardinal, Beniamino Stella. He criticized Pope Francis for “imposed his own ideas” by trying to distract the governance of the church from the clergy.
Getty Images
Pope Francis has become a powerful global spokesman on behalf of the poor and civilian victims of the war
Yet, during Homily or religious speeches at Pope Francis’ funeral, what appears to resonate with the masses, judging by the volume of applause, was the story of the subject Francis chose to be champion: the dignity of immigrants, the end of the war, the environment.
This applause would have been heard loudly and clearly by the cardinal line.
In a way, Pope Francis made it clear that the church focused on people in everyday life and what actually relates to struggle. He was also clear about connecting with a world other than faith.
“There’s a sense that the Pope’s voice has a voice of what is needed,” says Cardinal Nichols. “It’s a moral compass for some people, a sense of acceptance for some, and an assertion that for some people we have to look at things from the perspective of the poorest.
“It’s a silent voice, and our job is to find someone who can move it forward.”
Getty Images
Approximately 133 Cardinals will take part in the vote
From the death of Pope Francis to the moment Cardinals checked into the guesthouse in Santa Marta and its overflow residence, there appeared to be a tendency towards a desire for continuity in what Pope Francis had achieved.
Perhaps that vision of continuity is something that can bring many of his skeptics in practical ways. The word “uniformity” has been spoken about a lot after a period when the division between supporters and detractors of the Pope’s vision can sometimes become ugly.
But ultimately, when they step into the polling room’s most sacred chapel, they are urged to lead them with God and the Holy Spirit, because of all the pragmatism they may have taken into consideration before they vote.
Top Picture Credit: Getty Images
BBC Indepth is the home of websites and apps for the best analytics, with a fresh perspective that challenges assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. We will also introduce thought-provoking content for BBC Sound and iPlayer as a whole. You can send feedback on the details section by clicking the button below.
