Did you notice what appeared to be a cloud of pink smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel? This is significant as it indicates that the political intrigue surrounding the election of a new pope has begun. According to reports by the New York Times, Cardinal Angelo Becciu will not be participating in the upcoming vote for the new pontiff because Pope Francis wrote a letter before his death requesting him to abstain. Coincidentally, this scenario bears a striking resemblance to the events portrayed in the film “Conclave” from 2024, which may be why you find yourself so captivated by these developments. In the movie, Ralph Fiennes’ character, Cardinal Lawrence, discovers a letter from the late pope asking John Lithgow’s character, Cardinal Tremblay, to resign due to corruption, effectively ending Tremblay’s chances of becoming pope.
Initially, Cardinal Becciu from Italy wasn’t considered a potential candidate for this conclave like Tremblay, but he was once a frontrunner to become pope due to his close relationship with Pope Francis. However, in 2020, Pope Francis asked Becciu to step down from his cardinal duties over allegations of embezzlement concerning a London-based church real estate investment. He was indicted in the Vatican court in 2021 and found guilty in 2023. Despite this, Becciu maintains that he is the target of a conspiracy and intends to challenge the verdict. Recently, he attended the pre-conclave proceedings, asserting that the pope had not officially revoked his right to vote. (Once more, the term “Conclave” broke the story first.)
After seeing a March 24th letter from Pope Francis, which was presented by Cardinal Pietro Parolin (the Vatican’s secretary of state and a key player in the real-life conclave), Becciu adjusted his stance. Previously, he had intended to participate in the conclave despite maintaining his innocence. However, after reading the letter penned by Pope Francis following his hospital stay, Becciu announced on April 29th that he would instead follow the Pope’s will and not enter the conclave.
Will Pope Francis’s letter concerning Becciu cause as much turmoil within the upcoming conclave as it did in the novel “Conclave”? As it stands, Italian newspaper Il Messaggero allegedly lists Parolin as the front-runner with 50 votes, though this falls short of the required 90-vote majority for securing the papacy. However, a significant conservative opposition is emerging from Péter Erdő, a Hungarian cardinal, who supposedly has around 25 votes. (It’s unnecessary to remind you that he plays the role of the Italian in this scenario.) Mario Grech, a Maltese cardinal and liberal-leaning Bellini analogue, is also reported to have approximately 30 votes. If only we could count on a secretive Middle Eastern cardinal joining the race, we’d be well on our way to an exciting conclave!
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2025-04-30 21:57