Papal Conclave 2025: Legacy, Divisions and Uncertainty

Papal Conclave 2025: Legacy, Divisions and Uncertainty

Why in the News ?

Following Pope Francis’s death on April 21, the Catholic Church has entered the sede vacante, triggering the process for the Papal Conclave. With deep ideological divisions and a transformed cardinal electorate, the choice of the next Pope remains unpredictable.

How the Papal Conclave Functions

• Governed by Universi Dominici Gregis (UDG), ensuring secrecy and isolation inside Vatican City.
• Cardinals under 80 vote; others may influence during pre-conclave congregations.
• A two-thirds majority is required, pushing consensus and compromise.
• Voting is private and deeply spiritual, with cardinals swearing an oath of conscience.
• Key influencers or “great electors” play major behind-the-scenes roles in alliance-building.

Legacy of Pope Francis and Electoral Shifts

• Pope Francis appointed ~80% of the voting cardinals, altering Church politics.
• Shift from European dominance (now 39.3%) to a more global South representation.
• Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa saw increased presence; Latin America still underrepresented.
• Cardinals from peripheries bring new priorities: poverty, migration, interfaith dialogue.
• Many are socially conservative yet aligned with Francis on social justice.

Key Issues and Divisions within the Church

• Ideological rift: Reformists support synodality and inclusion; Conservatives seek doctrinal clarity.
• Fiducia Supplicans, allowing blessings for same-sex couples, faces Global South resistance.
• Role of women, clerical celibacy, and abuse crisis remain pressing issues.
• Vatican-China relations, internal financial reform, and climate leadership are geopolitical tests.
• No clear front-runner; the outcome hinges on complex internal dynamics.