The aftermath of Pope Francis’ passing will be fascinating.
Will cardinals continue his often (though not always) liberal path, choose a more moderate path, or swing all the way to the traditionalist candidates for next Supreme Pontiff?
Critical too will be ethnicity and race: Francis was of course from Argentina, the first from that part of the world. Are the Philippines or Africa next?
For the first time, a majority of cardinal-electors hail from outside Europe, with increased representation from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The diverse theological and cultural composition of the College suggests that the upcoming conclave could yield an unpredictable outcome.
The interplay between progressive, moderate, and conservative elements, coupled with increased geographical diversity, sets the stage for a consequential and potentially transformative papal election.
With 135 cardinal-electors under the age of 80, the composition of this body reflects significant shifts in theological and political orientations, largely influenced by Francis’s appointments.
During his papacy, Pope Francis appointed approximately 80% of the current cardinal-electors, marking a substantial transformation in the College’s makeup. His selections emphasized pastoral experience, geographical diversity, and a focus on social justice issues,
Despite the progressive tilt, the College includes cardinals with conservative leanings, particularly from Africa and Asia, where traditional views on family and morality remain influential. These members often emphasize doctrinal purity and may resist rapid changes to established teachings
Conservative trends are strong.
As the Wall Street Journal reports, “A landmark 2022 survey of more than 3,500 U.S. Catholic priests carried out by the Catholic Project, a research initiative at Catholic University, confirmed this. Among those ordained since 2020, some 80% identified as ‘conservative/orthodox.’ Those identifying as progressives and liberals were facing a ‘virtual collapse.’ ‘Among priests, it’s a massive shift,’ said Stephen P. White, the Catholic Project’s executive director, who views the conservative Catholic renewal as “a piece of the populism that seems to be spreading not just in the United States but over most of the Western world.’
The conservatives are bound together by a conviction that liberalism in its many guises—political, social, theological—has run aground. While it may have generated material wealth, they say, it has undermined communities and wrought the social “carnage.”
The Pontiff’s death came as part of the Octave of Easter, the eight-day celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. Easter Monday reflects ongoing joy and the reality of the risen Christ. He was a good compassionate man, was Francis–a very prayerful man (fifteen decades a day)–who will be missed.
His burial at Saint Mary Major Church will be a sight to behold, this flagship in Mary’s fleet.
In the realm of the arcane, the London Mail took to the ancient “prophet” Nostradamus for a glimpse into the next Pontiff, quoting him as “hinting at details of the successor of Pope Francis, writing, ‘A young man of dark skin with the help of the great king will deliver the purse to another of red color.’ The prophecies have long been open to interpretation with many claiming they shouldn’t be taken too literally. However in light of Pope Francis’s death, some have interpreted the words to signify a shift in leadership within the Catholic Church.”
[Footnote from website dedicated to alleged apparitions at Garabandal, Spain: “On June 3, 1963 the news about the death of Pope St. John XXIII had just arrived in Garabandal. Conchita [Gonzalez, one of the four seers] and her mother went toward the Church to pray for the eternal repose of the pontiff. On the way, Conchita heard interiorly the unmistakable voice of Our Mother who told her: ‘After this Pope, there will be only three, and after that will be the end of the times.’ Shortly thereafter, the Virgin clarified that while there would only be three popes, there would be another one, but he would ‘govern the Church for a very short time,’ and that was why She did not include him in the list. There are witnesses who affirm that they heard Conchita speaking on this precise matter during that same month of June of 1963.” For your discernment. We cannot confirm these details.]
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