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Non-European Cardinals Take the Lead in Deciding the Next Pope for the First Time

For the first time, the pool of cardinals choosing the upcoming pope is predominantly from the Global South, with less than half being European. Predicting the impact on the vote.

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4 min read

Non-European Cardinals Take the Lead in Deciding the Next Pope for the First Time

Spin on the Sistine Story:

Yo, meet the 2025 papal conclave - a global gang of cardinals, hailing from no less than 70 countries! This grand assembly is unique, 'cause fewer than half these voters are Eurotrash - just like the good ol' Pope Francis wanted. He appointed cardinals from Myanmar, Rwanda, Tonga, and other countries from the Global South. You know what that means? A pope who's got the world on his mind!

(SOUNDBITE OF UNIDENTIFIED CHURCH CHOIR)

Our girl, NPR's Ruth Sherlock, is reporting on how the diverse crowd of cardinals will influence who's gonna be the next pope.

(SOUNDBITE OF CHURCHES ALL OVER ROME)

Throughout this week, cardinals from around the world are holding masses in Rome. In the old days, power was concentrated close to Rome - almost all the cardinals were European. This conclave, the late Pope Francis took extra care to ensure it's gonna be - as he puts it - a truly global enclave. Francis appointed over 80% of the original cardinals eligible to vote.

(SOUNDBITE OF ALISTAIR DUTTON)

Alistair Dutton, the secretary general of Caritas Internationalis, says Pope Francis has a thing for the world, and everyone who's anyone is talking about it. He wants "a world, an economy, a social vision that's focused on people and the poorest."

(SOUNDBITE OF RUTH SHERLOCK)

Ruth spoke with some of the newer cardinals who have firsthand experience with war and tragedy, like Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga from the Central African Republic. When the conflict between Christian and Muslim factions in his country was at its peak, Nzapalainga risked his life to save the nation's leading Muslim figure, living with him in his home and working together to end the war.

(SOUNDBITE OF CARDINAL NZAPALAINGA)

But not everyone's on board with Pope Francis's global vision. There's a big ol' backlash from faction's who want to bring the Church back to its Western-centric roots.

(SOUNDBITE OF FATHER ROBERT SIRICO)

Father Robert Sirico warns that having cardinals from many countries who don't know each other or Rome could make the older guard's influence easier. It's like trying to seduce a newbie at a bar - just offer 'em a few drinks and some friendly banter, and you've got 'em eating out of your hand.

But the cardinals have been meeting at the Vatican, discussing priorities that will shape their choice of pope. The question: will the Global South cardinals stick together, or will the old guard win the day?

Stay tuned to NPR, and we'll be here to catch all the juicy gossip as the 2025 papal conclave unfolds!

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

This transcript is created on a rush deadline by NPR's stylish, edgy, and always in-the-know intern. It may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The alternative version offered reflects the wanted content with a fresh, informal, and personal tone.

Enrichment:

  1. Increased Representation: For the first time, the 2025 papal conclave boasts cardinals from a record 70 countries, waved in by Pope Francis from the Global South, promoting a more diverse representation in the voting process.
  2. Reformist Vision: The 2025 conclave showcases Pope Francis's reformist vision, with cardinals such as those from Mongolia and Tonga, who may influence the selection of a pope that continues his emphasis on openness, reform, and addressing global issues like climate change.
  3. Shift in Priorities: The increased representation of cardinals from diverse backgrounds encourages discussions on global issues, potentially shifting priorities towards addressing challenges faced by the Global South, such as poverty and inequality.
  4. Internal Conflict: While some cardinals may support continuity with Pope Francis's vision, others might advocate for a more traditional approach, potentially leading to a nuanced selection process.
  5. No Clear Favorite: The lack of a clear frontrunner among the cardinals means that the diverse perspectives of the cardinals from the Global South could significantly impact the selection of a consensus on a candidate.
  6. The Global South cardinals, with their unique experiences, bring diversified insights to the 2025 papal conclave, representing 70 countries, including Myanmar and Rwanda.
  7. Pope Francis's leadership has prioritized economic discussions, reaching out to cardinals from different countries like Colombia and Tonga, aiming for an economy driven by justice and focus on the poor.
  8. The availability of transcripts from the conclave discussions could offer glimpses into the traditional and progressive views held by the cardinals, providing crucial insights into the voting process.
  9. Financial institutions worldwide will be closely watching the decision made by the papal conclave, as the choice of the next pope may significantly influence global support for diversity-and-inclusion initiatives within business and other sectors.
  10. As the selection process unfolds, the more traditional European cardinals may encounter difficulties in challenging the unity of the Global South cardinals, testifying to the significant shift in the Church's leadership and its priorities.
Shift in Vatican Leadership: Pope Francis Selects More Cardinals from the Global South Than Europeans, Altering the Composition of Cardinals Eligible to Vote for the Next Pope. What Implications Could This Have on the Selection Process?
Pope Francis increased the appointments of cardinals from the Southern Hemisphere, resulting in less than half of the voting cardinals who will decide on the next pope being European. What effects might this shift have on the voting process?
Cardinals hailing predominantly from the Southern hemisphere have been appointed by Pope Francis, marking a shift as fewer than half the voting cardinals who will decide the next pope are European. This shift in geographic representation may influence the voting process.

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