Power games in the 2005 conclave. Pope Francis reveals secrets of the Sistine Chapel
For the first time, a Pope reveals secrets of the Sistine Chapel and to say that it was used by those who did not want Benedict XVI.
It was the news that marked Easter Day and that, in some way, overshadowed all the doctrine preached at the Solemn Mass in Saint Peter’s Square. In the book-interview ‘The Successor’, by Javier Brocal, Pope Francis reveals that, in the 2005 conclave, there were cardinals who tried to use him to prevent the election of Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI).
Never, until today, has a Pope revealed anything about this ultra-secret meeting of cardinals, in the Sistine Chapel, destined to elect the leader of the Church.
And, in addition to revealing details, Francis exposes interests, intrigues, obscure schemes and power games, which are not in line with the idea that the Pope is elected according to the indication of the Holy Spirit.“I had 40 of the 115 votes. If they continued to vote for me, Ratzinger would not be elected. They told me they didn’t want a foreign Pope. It was a complete maneuver. So, he told Colombian Cardinal Darío Castrillón: ‘Don’t play with my candidacy. I’m going to say today that I don’t accept it.’ And that was when Benedict was elected”, reveals Pope Francis, adding that he came out of this whole situation “very happy”.“The idea was to block Ratzinger. They were using me, but behind me they were already thinking about proposing another cardinal,” he explained.
The Argentine Pope, who ended up being elected in 2013, confirms that he was the favorite of some of the cardinals to succeed John Paul II, but that he fought for the election of Benedict XVI, “because, at that time, a transitional Pope was needed” .
Smiling and in a good mood, Francisco celebrated mass and greeted the faithful
The strategy of the Vatican doctors was correct. They advised the 87-year-old Pope not to be present, on Friday night, at the long Way of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome and, in this way, he managed to preside over the Easter Vigil, on Saturday, and the Easter Mass, on this Sunday morning.On Saturday, he delivered the ritual readings to the concelebrating cardinals, but delivered the homily in front of the more than six thousand faithful present.This Sunday, despite traveling in a wheelchair due to problems with his right knee, Francisco appeared in apparent good shape and, above all, very smiling and in a good mood.
He presided over the Solemn Easter Mass, in a very flowery square full of faithful and, at the end, he traveled around the entire area in a popemobile, greeting those present, who did not tire of applauding.At noon, he went up to the cathedral’s balcony for the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing and, once again, greeted the crowd.Patriarch of Lisbon commemorates 50 years of the 25th of April
At Easter Mass, this Sunday, at the Cathedral of Lisbon, the Patriarch, D. Rui Valério, recalled the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April, remembering that, in our country, the achievement of democracy took place at Easter time. “Portugal, too, precisely fifty years ago, and in the middle of Easter time, took to the streets to bring about a change that brought democracy and gave a voice to the people,” said the prelate, before a packed cathedral.
