Trump Attends Francis Funeral, Conclave To Begin
The bells of St. Peter’s tolled today as Pope Francis was laid to rest–– and the battle for the next Pontiff begins.
ROME — The bells of St. Peter’s tolled today as Pope Francis, who died Monday at 88, was laid to rest in a funeral attended by world leaders and mourners from across the globe.
Among them was former President Donald Trump, who arrived in Rome alongside his wife, Melania, the first Catholic First Lady since Jackie Kennedy, on what was also her birthday.
Francis’ death came just hours after a historic Easter visit from Vice President J.D. Vance, another high-profile Catholic figure.
Melania Trump wearing a black veil at the funeral services for the late Pontiff.
Donald And Melania Trump seated at the Pontiff’s funeral.
With the burial complete, the Catholic Church officially enters sede vacante, or “the seat being vacant,” a period when the Holy See is without a pope. During this time, the governance of the Church is suspended until a new pope is elected.
That process begins with a conclave, a secret gathering of the cardinals under the age of 80 to elect the next pope. The cardinals vote in the Sistine Chapel, and election requires a two-thirds majority.
Under Canon Law, any Catholic male capable of receiving priestly ordination and episcopal consecration can technically be elected pope. However, since 1378, it has been tradition to select a pope from among the College of Cardinals.
Past conclaves have been wrought with drama. In 1958, white smoke emerged on the first day of voting, suggesting a pope had been chosen, only to turn black 30 minutes later. Vatican Radio prematurely reported a new pope before backtracking; eventually, Angelo Roncalli was elected and became Pope John XXIII.
John XXIII notably chose a name linked to an earlier antipope, a nod with mixed interpretations.
Conspiracy and speculation have swarmed the Papal selection process ever since.
This next conclave could also mark a shift. Some Vatican watchers speculate that an American — such as Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York or Dallas’s Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, who announced Francis’ death — could be considered. Catholicism’s resurgence in England, where Catholics may soon outnumber Protestants for the first time in centuries, also highlights the growing strength of the English-speaking world in the Catholic Church.
Still, much of the current College of Cardinals was appointed by Francis.
One would think this would favor a liberal, but the historic restrictions on the Conclave have worked out in such a way that the next pope will likely come from the Church’s center-right or conservative wing.
Parody picture depicting the Conclave as an election night electoral college map on cable news.
Several names have emerged as frontrunners:
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, Italy: Vatican Secretary of State and a skilled diplomat, seen as a continuation of Francis’ policies but with a more moderate political touch.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, Philippines: Sometimes called the “Asian Pope Francis,” Tagle is a liberal voice with strong appeal among younger Catholics and growing Asian congregations.
Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, Hungary: A staunch conservative, critical of Francis on issues like divorce and immigration.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, Democratic Republic of Congo: A leading African voice in the Church, outspoken against same-sex blessings.
Cardinal Raymond Burke, 76, United States: A leading American conservative, strong supporter of the Latin Mass and a critic of recent Church shifts.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69, Italy: President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, viewed as close to Francis and a diplomatic bridge-builder.
Also mentioned: Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea, 79), a theological conservative once considered a major contender, though his age and tensions with Francis allies may work against him.
Only 138 of the 252 current cardinals are under 80 and eligible to vote in the conclave. The world will know a new pope has been elected when white smoke rises again from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
Until then, the Catholic Church — and the world — waits.
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