Go here to read the article. My own opinion is that none of the, named in the media, possible popes enjoyed much enthusiasm among the Cardinals. Most of them were doubtless tired of the chaos and constant internal animosity of the Francis years, and thus had no interest in making one of his hangers on, particularly Parolin, Pope. The Italian Cardinals were divided, as usual.
Cardinal Prevost had a solid core of support among English speaking Cardinals, and when the African and Asian Cardinals mostly approved, that sealed the deal. The purported fourteen million dollar donation by President Trump at the time of the funeral of Pope Francis is intriguing. The Vatican is in financial trouble, and a Pope who could cause the American faithful to repair the damage done by Vatican fecklessness when it comes to money, a role often played by the American faithful, may well have entered, quietly, into the unprecedented making of an American Pope.
It all seems quite plausible as you have outlined, Donald. Very intriguing, indeed.
P.S.- Speaking of Cardinal Dolan, am I imagining things, or does he look as if he’s lost a fair amount of weight? If so, I hope it was intentional. Maybe he can also lose the nickname “Donut Dolan.” 😇
I’ve been trying to find a reliable article that speaks of the fourteen million dollar donation. Google has nothing really, just a single Instagram paragraph. Is there something that is trustworthy on this out there?
Think one main reason for Leo’s election, he doesn’t seem to have a dynamic personality, rather comes across as “studied” and clam which to my mind is a good thing. It will be interesting to see how he handles the lead up to 2033, which I assume will be a Holy Year in honor of the two thousandth anniversary of our Salvation. Talk about an evangelizing opportunity!
I am a bit skeptical about it. Italian media is full of the story, but they make our media look factual by comparison. Back in 2020 there were wild stories that Trump had ordered 1.4 billion in US funds given to the Vatican. 1.4 billion? 14 million? Numbers too similar for comfort.
Interesting but speculative
I am gratified that this is a slap in the face to Francis’ anti-Yanqui gringo anti-Americanism. True, Leo XIV is a naturalized Peruvian citizen as well as a US citizen, a sort of bridge between Latin America and the United States, something Francis never wanted to be. So far, I am very happy. Perhaps I won’t like what Leo XIV may say about immigration, capitalism, enviromentalism, etc., but it seems that he will say things from an authentically Catholic (instead of Peronist) perspective without needing to ingratiate imself with the world’s leading liberal elite. And that narcissistic snctimonious pretense at humility during every available camera shot will hopefully be gone along with the Pachamama demon goddess. It’s one thing to disagree about social issues, energy policy, etc. It’s another to be constantly embarrassed by your Protestant friends at the glaringly obvious heterodoxy of the man sitting in Saint Peter’s Seat.
Fair points, LQC. When I first met my wife 25 years ago, I was very much engrossed in and fascinated by Latin American history.
The KGB created liberation theology has done much to wreck the Church and Latin American society in general. To make things worse the Democrat Party has seen poor Latin Americans as a tool to keep and grow political power.
Help for Latin America must come from a reinvigorated Church in the United States…not being stuck on welfare funded by the American taxpayer.
It is more than plausible that Pope Leo XIV was chosen for these reasons. American ingenuity and know how takes a back seat to no one. Of course the mission of the Church is to lead all to Christ, but the organization and the machinery behind this ….it can’t hurt to have American ability underpinning it all.
Because the Holy Spirit willed it.
I fully agree with your article, Mr. McClarey.
As St. Teresa of Calcutta told her sisters after they all went to Confession, “Come, let us start again.” Pope Francis had his successes and his failures, and he made plenty of friends and enemies. He aggravated many of us who so wanted to follow his leadership but found him lacking in certain areas.
Pope Leo seems to me to have many of the positive qualities of the ministries and personalities of St. John Paul, Pope Benedict, and Pope Francis. Like St. John Paul, he is faithful to God no matter what the circumstances, and he is courageous in defending his people against evil, with great devotion to Our Lady. Like Pope Benedict, he is a soft-spoken scholar who carefully considers his words before he speaks and writes and has the gift of teaching with clarity so that even the least educated can understand – always with great faithfulness. Like Pope Francis, he has a love of the poor and is not afraid to live as they do, shoulder to shoulder, without condescension.
I am still astonished that our Pope is an American. But I remind myself that nationality is the least consideration that goes into selecting a pope. And that the only label that any Catholic should want for himself or herself is not progressive nor traditional nor conservative nor liberal – but *faithful*, because that is what God wants of us. And with Pope Leo, I think that is exactly what God gave us.
Peace and good to all here!
To Frank, in response to his comment about Cardinal Dolan –
The cable television station of the Archdiocese of New York is included in my cable menu, and I regularly watch “Conversations with Cardinal Dolan”, his weekly talk show.
His Eminence mentioned he lost a good bit of weight several months ago because he was tired of not feeling his best, with creaky joints, etc. So, he started exercising and being a bit more careful of his diet – nothing drastic. Over time, he was able to lose weight and now feels much better. I think he not only looks thinner, but younger because of this. And I am happy to know his weight loss was not due to illness.
Thank you, smk TOF, it’s good to know that. I have always liked Dolan personally, in no small part because we grew up a few miles from each other in the St. Louis suburbs and played on different youth baseball teams in the same league, possibly at the same time. I wish him well.
As far as the money thing goes, seem to remember something in the Gospel about the more earthly minded being somewhat more skillful in that area than the spiritually oriented. Might be time to install a full on treasury department in the Vatican to keep the books in order and follow sound economic principles.