Interesting article translated into English from the Italian newspaper, Il Giornale, on what went down inside the Papal Conclave and how American Cardinal Dolan played the kingmaker for Pope Leo XIV:

THE ITALIAN DELUSION. THE FAVORITE PAROLIN LEFT WITHOUT THE VOTES FROM AFRICA AND ASIA AND THE DECISIVE PRE CONCLAVE "KINGMAKING" OF CARDINAL DOLAN

The entire world was focused on the Secretary of State and the group of Italian cardinals. Timing played a critical role: Robert Prevost emerged in recent days as a contender in the papal race, though always lingering in the background. Until last night, Pietro Parolin remained the frontrunner. Parolin had confided his "turmoil" to his childhood friend Roberto Ambrosi, a restaurateur in Marostica, as reported by Francesco Boezi in Il Giornale.

The word "turmoil" was interpreted as an omen. Yet, events unfolded differently. Parolin emerged as the great loser, though it remains unclear how the unexpected shift came about. Some speculate that Prevost had already distinguished himself during the general congregations—the meetings among cardinals that followed Pope Francis’s funeral. This analysis likely holds some truth, as the pre-conclave phase is always significant. This was especially true in this election, with many cardinals barely familiar with their colleagues’ names.

Subtle factors proved decisive. The activism of New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who acted as a kingmaker, was pivotal. Dolan quickly backed an unconventional figure at the intersection of diverse cultures: a man with French and Italian heritage and a Spanish mother. Prevost’s missionary zeal, combined with his deep roots in the United States, further strengthened his candidacy.

Many observers believe Dolan successfully rallied voters from North and South America, particularly English-speaking cardinals, especially those tied to the Commonwealth—the remnants of the old British Empire, spanning South Africa, India, and the Tonga Islands.

Parolin commanded a block of votes, estimated at forty to fifty, but it was insufficient to secure the necessary quorum. The critical moment came during the first vote, when it became evident that Prevost had quietly amassed significant support. The Bergoglian faction, fragmented into multiple groups, failed to unite behind an alternative candidate, such as the highly regarded Frenchman Jean-Marc Aveline or the Maltese Mario Grech.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, hailing from Jerusalem—one of the world’s most volatile regions—was also sidelined, deemed too politically charged.

What transpired in the Sistine Chapel remains a mystery. After the first vote, something shifted among the cardinals, particularly those from Africa and Asia.

They likely saw in Prevost, who is highly respected in Rome, not merely a representative of the world’s leading power, but the embodiment of a West capable of transcending its own limitations rather than reveling in self-admiration.

As noted by ANSA, Parolin’s prospects may have been undermined by the secretive and controversial agreement with the Chinese government.

Something disrupted the expected outcome, and the leading candidate exited the conclave as he had entered, in keeping with tradition.

Rumors suggest that the cardinal from Vicenza had forged an alliance, a sort of ticket, with the Filipino Luis Tagle, another near-favorite before the conclave.

Yet, in practice, this agreement collapsed. Robert Prevost emerged as the Pope of the First World, elected by the cardinals of the Third World.

This outcome was a political masterpiece, but also a testament to the unpredictable movement of the Spirit, which blows where it wills, defying all forecasts.

The dream of returning an Italian—whether Parolin, Pizzaballa, or Zuppi—to St. Peter’s has been deferred once more. A similar scenario unfolded in 2013, when Angelo Scola seemed poised to win, only for Bergoglio to prevail.

-Stefano Zurlo (Il Giornale), May 9, 2025

点击图片查看原图

点击图片查看原图