The process of electing a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church is set to begin Wednesday, as 133 cardinal electors gather in the Sistine Chapel for the Conclave 2025. Sealed off from the outside world, these cardinals will undertake the task of choosing a successor to the late Pope Francis.
The gathering follows a period marked by external attempts to shape the cardinals' thinking and the future direction of the church. Written materials have circulated among the electors, notably a report profiling potential papal candidates.
Titled "The College of Cardinals Report," this document offers insights into around 40 cardinals, detailing their stances on contemporary issues like same-sex blessings and the ordination of women deacons. The report, compiled by journalists Edward Pentin and Diane Montagna, has been made freely available online and distributed in book form. Some observers suggest the report aims to promote candidates who would steer the church away from the direction taken under Pope Francis.
Organizations and publications aligned with traditionalist and conservative viewpoints have supported similar initiatives. Sophia Institute Press, which partnered on the College of Cardinals Report, also publishes "Crisis Magazine." Groups like the Napa Institute and the Papal Foundation have also maintained a presence in Rome ahead of the Conclave. One backer of the Papal Foundation reportedly commented on the group's potential financial influence depending on the chosen pope.
Canon law prohibits outside interference in the papal election process. Rules established by Pope John Paul II ban attempts by any individual or group to exercise influence on the election, under penalty of excommunication. Church lawyers have described the College of Cardinals Report as an effort to influence the Conclave in a specific direction. Kurt Martens, a canon law professor, stated such reports attempt to provide "colored information" rather than objective facts, which he said is forbidden by the rules.
The composition of the College of Cardinals presents a complex picture. It represents a diverse group drawn from 71 countries, with a notable increase in cardinals from the Global South compared to previous conclaves. This geographic diversity may make predicting the outcome more challenging.
The next pontiff will face administrative challenges within the global institution and the ongoing impact of the sex abuse scandal. Discussions among cardinals in the days leading up to the Conclave have touched on governance and the church's role in a rapidly changing world.
The Holy Spirit is often cited as guiding the cardinals' decision. However, as Pope Benedict XVI once noted, the process also allows for human deliberation and freedom.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, retired archbishop of Bombay, indicated he had received the report but had not reviewed it closely, while cautioning fellow cardinals about the spread of "fake news."