As it approaches the Critical Conclave of 7 May, The super -coded Catholics, mainly from the United States, are trying to influence the election of the next Papa by any means – From defamation campaigns and digital propaganda to backstage economic pressures. With the shadow of Francis still fresh and the return of Donald Trump In white to encourage them, they aspire to bring the Church back to stricter, nationalist lines.
With US President Donald Trump’s “backs”, American far -right circles see the opportunity to directly influence the most sacred process of the Roman Catholic Church: the election of the next pope. Enemies of the late Pope Francis, inside and outside Conclavium, are mobilized with the aim of highlighting a pope who will bring the church back to more traditional positions, the Politico.
These circles denounce Francis as a heretic, “Antipopa‘Or even’Antichrist“, Because of his liberal attitude on issues such as same -sex couples, divorce, immigration and agreement with China to appoint bishops.
Their desire is clear: a Pope who will focus exclusively on “pure” universal issues such as defending life and family, instead of climate change or migration.
Politics, Money and Campaigns
Through influences such as the bishop of Kazakhstan Athanasius Schneiderwhich characterizes the refugee crisis “Islamization” of Europe, and Cardinal Robert Scree From Guinea, known for the defense of Latin function, hard -core conservatives are trying to impose their own faces on the Conclave.
Still a name circulating on the conservative lists is that of the American cardinal Raymond Berkwho has expressed his support for former US President Donald Trump.
“We are seeing a paradox: the leadership of the Church is more liberal, but there is a huge increase in proselytism and the approach of traditionalism,” said John Jep, head of the Catholic Catholic organization Catholics for Catholics, who organized a prayer for a prayer.
“The cardinals know that, although some of the leaders have a more progressive attitude, their flocks are increasingly tend to conservative positions. They will have this in mind when they enter the conceive. “
GEP noted that the 56% of Catholics voted Trump. “This same electorate is now looking at Rome, expecting a traditional Pope who will stand a powerful ally of the US and their worldview – for example, in strict border protection.”
In addition to theological arguments, they use tougher tactics: from bloggers and media such as lifesitenews targeting liberal candidates to the Red Hat Report plan, which has been collecting “folders” for each cardinal since 2018, with the help of former FBI agents.
The main objective of the attacks is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Francis’ “right hand” and succession favorite. In internal messages of Red Hat Report it is reported that it should be “disclosed worldwide that it is a shame for the Church”.
Without a leader with influence
The next few days, before the start of Conclavium to elect the new Pope, they are critical, as conservative Catholics are trying to make their presence felt to the cardinals.
“It is extremely important for the young Pope to take the reins again and reaffirm what Catholics have believed for 2,000 years,” John Jeep of the organization Catholics for Catholics said, describing Pope Francis as one of the most controversial modifish in modern history.
Even the conservatives themselves admit that they have a difficult battle ahead of them.
The super -conservatives have lost an important leader, the Cardinal George Pel, died in 2020. Today, there is no “Leader of the herd”, He admits a diplomatic source of the Vatican. “Since then, there is no clear head of the conservative wing.”
In addition, about 80% of the cardinals they will vote have been appointed by Franciscus, which makes it difficult to elect their candidate – even the creation of blockage.
Despite the efforts and means they use, the hard -nuclear ones know that with the numeric data of Conclavium, a candidate will hardly be elected.
However, their influence is not negligible. The Vatican’s financial deficit, estimated at € 83 million, according to Reuters, creates fertile ground for external economic influence. A senior official said the possibility of funding by right -wing American donors was put to the preliminary encounters of the cardinals.
Psychological War before the Conclave
One thing that has changed a lot from 2013 and Pope Francis’ election is that the campaign is now digital. Analysts talk about “Flood” of posts, videos, comments and leaks with the aim of terrorizing the most liberal cardinals.
Characteristic is the incident with Video of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle – One of the favorites – to sing John Lennon’s Imagine in Karaoke, which was presented as “Tradition in Atheism”.
“They know they don’t have the numbers to elect their own, but they try to scare the reformers,” says Vatican Vatican journalist Marco Politi. “The message is: there will be no Franciscan II. It’s a psychological game. “
However, when the doors of the Sistine hats are closed, the outside world cannot intervene.
‘No one knows what will happen in this room’, says a Vatican diplomat. “The best prepared strategies often collapse as soon as they face reality.”