Beachin' the Papal Throne: How Leo XIV Got His Groove On as Cardinal, Stepped Up as Pope
Alleged Preference Revealed: Pope Leo XIV Standing Out as Beloved Among Cardinals
By Aljoscha PrangeMore InfoFacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmailPrintCopy Link
It's a fresh new day at the Vatican as Robert Francis Prevost ascends to the papal throne, leaving behind the Italian cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was once the leading contender for the title. But this newly-minted Pope Leo XIV, who's shaking things up with his refreshing approach, wasn't always the favored one.
Cardinals spilled the tea on how Prevost went from being an underdog to the frontrunner, with his vote count rising steadily while Parolin's remained stagnant. On May 8th, a little after 6 p.m., Pope Leo XIV became the first American to become the head of the Catholic Church.
A Glance at the Scene
A cloud of white smoke billowed from the iconic chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the end of the conclave. 133 eligible cardinals had voted, and they unanimously chose Prevost. But before him, Parolin was the one who had kept the hope of reformists alive.
Pope Leo XIV initially kept a stoic expression, blinking back tears as the announcement was made. When he finally stood with a smile, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, said, "I can hardly imagine what goes through a person's mind when they are confronted with something like this."
It Wasn't in the Cardinals' Cards
Betting markets, predictably, didn't give Prevost much chance, with Parolin taking the lead as the absolute top favorite. Closely following were Ghanaian cardinal Peter Turkson, Italian cardinal Matteo Zuppi, and Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. But Tagle himself told the "New York Times" that Prevost came to him for guidance during the conclave, leaving him feeling a bit bewildered since he hadn't even known who Prevost was.
His Time to Shine
While Prevost's speeches during the pre-conclave meetings weren't anything spectacular, according to various cardinals, one stood out during the final discussions before the conclave. Pope Leo XIV talked about the Synodal Way, which resonated with Francis's supporters. Parolin, on the other hand, seemed to ignore the topic.
It seemed the tide was turning in Prevost's favor. When the conclave began on Wednesday, Parolin had 40 votes, but Prevost was steadily catching up. After a tactical lunchtime meeting and some persuasive conversations, Prevost took the lead. One vote, and the curtains closed on the conclave with Pope Leo XIV taking home a whopping 100 votes.
When Prevost was crowned, he sat in the same seat as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio did during the 2013 conclave that welcomed Pope Francis with open arms. US Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who attended both conclaves, shared this historical detail in an interview.
Parolin, the previous favorite, was the first to approach the newly crowned pope and asked him in Latin if he accepted the papal position. Prevost replied with a simple "yes." When asked for his name, he responded with the name he now holds: Leo.
Sources:- ntv.de- Wall Street Journal- New York Times
Keywords: Catholic Church, Vatican, Rome, Italy, USA, Synodal Way
Insights:
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, rose to prominence despite initially being an underdog due to the following key factors:
- Focus on the Synodal Way: Prevost's emphasis on the Synodal Way, which aims to make the church more inclusive and participatory, resonated with many cardinals who value reform and inclusivity within the church.
- Background in Canon Law: Prevost's expertise in canon law offered a reassuring stance for those skeptical of synodality, as it suggested he could navigate the church's traditions effectively.
- Multilingual Skills: Prevost's proficiency in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, as well as his ability to read Latin and German, fostered effective communication with fellow cardinals from diverse backgrounds.
- International Experience: Pope Leo XIV's experience serving as the head of his religious order and identifying Latin-rite bishops globally, as well as being appointed to several influential roles by Pope Francis, enhanced his international exposure and recognition within the Vatican.
- Warnings About Parolin: Allegations of private misdeeds and questioning of Parolin's commitment to the Synodal Way by some cardinals may have influenced the voting in Prevost's favor.
- The European Community, in its role as a global economic power, closely monitored the economic implications of Robert Francis Prevost's ascension to the papal throne, recognizing his potential impact on the business community, particularly businesses with ties to the Catholic Church.
- As Cardinal, Pope Leo XIV demonstrated strong leadership in the political arena, advocating for reform and inclusivity within the Catholic Church, an approach that resonated with political observers both within and outside the Vatican.
- Following Pope Leo XIV's election, major European media outlets, including newspapers from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, dedicated special editorials to discussing the future of the Catholic Church under his leadership, highlighting the significance of his election in the general news landscape.
