Best of the Spectator
Holy Smoke: The Pope announces 21 new cardinals – is he trying to pack the conclave?
Oct 18, 2024
Joining the discussion is Serre Verweij, a Vatican analyst based in the Netherlands, who offers deep insights into Pope Francis's recent appointment of 21 new cardinals. They dive into the surprising choices, including a 44-year-old bishop from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic community and an almost 80-year-old Dominican theologian. Verweij highlights a potential ideological shift, suggesting the Pope might be moving to the right, raising questions about the implications for future Church governance and the ongoing tensions between liberal and conservative factions.
25:33
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Pope Francis' appointment of diverse cardinals illustrates a strategic balance between traditionalist and progressive perspectives, impacting future conclave dynamics.
- The inclusion of unexpected candidates, like the Ukrainian bishop and a non-bishop theologian, highlights the complex political implications of these appointments.
Deep dives
Pope Francis' New Cardinal Appointments
Pope Francis has appointed 21 new cardinals, many of whom will vote in the upcoming conclave to elect his successor. The appointments are notable, as some, like Bishop Mikhailovich Bichok of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, signify political statements, given that he was chosen over the more prominent leader of the Ukrainian church, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. This decision reflects a complex dynamic as it both elevates a voice from the Ukrainian diaspora while simultaneously sending a message to Shevchuk. The list is intriguing as it combines varying theological perspectives, potentially impacting the conclave's outcome.
