Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, has emerged as a leading candidate to succeed Pope Francis. His prominent role in the days following the Pope's death, including welcoming world leaders to the funeral, solidified his visibility.
Parolin's strengths lie in his deep understanding of the Vatican's inner workings and his ability to represent continuity with Francis' papacy. Described as having a steady, bureaucratic approach, he's seen as a compromise candidate amongst a diverse group of cardinals. However, some acknowledge he lacks Francis' charisma.
His age (70) might appeal to cardinals seeking a shorter-term papacy. The article suggests that his careful and cautious nature, while not ideal in all situations, may be beneficial in a time of global unrest.
Andrea Riccardi, founder of the SantāEgidio Community, highlighted Parolin as the most prominent candidate, emphasizing his representation of continuity and balanced approach. The article highlights Parolin's significant influence and central position within the Vatican during this critical transition.
In the days surrounding Pope Francisā death, Cardinal Pietro Parolin was everywhere.
The No. 2 figure in the Vatican, he visited Francis in the hospital, and then helped seal the papal apartments after the pope died. He welcomed cardinals he knew from around the world to the popeās funeral, talking to former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy. And leading up to the conclave to pick the next pope, he celebrated an outdoor Mass for tens of thousands of faithful on the steps of St. Peterās Basilica.
It seems that everyone knows Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, who will preside over the papal election and who has emerged as the leading compromise candidate before a conclave in which many of the more than 130 cardinals do not know one another.
āThe only candidate that for now has emerged with a certain insistence is Parolin,ā said Andrea Riccardi, the founder of the SantāEgidio Community, a Catholic group close to Francis. āHe represents a continuity,ā added Mr. Riccardi, who is close to several cardinals who are considered papal contenders. āHe has said, āVirtue stands in the middle.āā
A quiet, plodding Italian with a famously inscrutable poker face, Cardinal Parolin is deeply cautious. But at a time of global upheaval, that is not necessarily a disqualifier. Even his backers grant that he lacks Francisā charisma and global symbolism ā but as the leader of the Vatican machinery for the past decade, he enacted Francisā vision.
Cardinals have talked about Cardinal Parolin as someone who could have a steady, bureaucratic hand on the churchās wheel. And at 70, he could appeal to cardinals who do not want to be stuck too long with the winner.
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