THE GOOD BOOK: While Many Attempt to Influence the College of Cardinals on the Eve of the Conclave, Conservatives Are Sharing a Long Report on the 40 Top Papal Candidates |

The Vatican’s Grand Lobbying Stage: The Battle for the Papacy

Currently, we find ourselves witnessing perhaps the most extensive international lobbying endeavor known to humankind, as a medley of religious and political factions converges upon the Vatican. Their goal? To sway the Cardinals towards selecting a Pope who aligns with their preferences.

In a rare glimpse into this intricate process, French President Emmanuel Macron has been reported lobbying against the conservative African Cardinal Robert Sarah. A maneuver that exemplifies the high-stakes game being played behind the closed doors of the Vatican.

Tomorrow, the College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel, sealing themselves off from the world, with even cell phone signals deactivated. This conclave will assemble 133 prelates tasked with choosing the successor to the late Pope Francis, an endeavor that promises to be anything but straightforward.

Interestingly, while there are no explicit prohibitions against the Cardinals consulting written materials, some conservatives have taken the liberty to prepare a significant book for distribution among the electors.

CNN reported:

“Titled ‘The College of Cardinals Report’, it profiles approximately 40 papal candidates, detailing their positions on contentious issues such as same-sex blessings, the ordination of female deacons, and the church’s stance on contraception. The underlying message is clear: Select a pope who will navigate the church in a direction markedly different from that of Pope Francis, whose progressive reforms have ruffled the feathers of many conservatives.”

This report is available in both online and large print formats. The brainchild of Conservative Catholic journalists Edward Pentin from the UK and Diane Montagna from the US, the book is now being distributed to Cardinals as they enter and exit pre-conclave meetings.

“The authors of the report assert that their resource is intended to facilitate better acquaintance among the cardinals, compiled by an ‘international and independent team of Catholic journalists and researchers’. This comes ahead of a conclave where the cardinals, a diverse group hailing from 71 countries—many appointed by Francis in the last decade—are reportedly unfamiliar with one another, requiring them to don name badges during their sessions.”

In case you want to learn any more about the cardinals, this site has a lot of information. https://t.co/WzzND3F4uh

— Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone (@ArchCordileone) May 5, 2025

In a twist of irony, CNN has raised concerns about the impartiality of the Conservative report, suggesting it leans decidedly in favor of an anti-Francis narrative.

“According to two church lawyers who spoke with CNN, the report is hardly neutral and seeks to sway the conclave in a direction contrary to that of Francis. For instance, it labels Cardinal Mario Grech, who oversees significant reform efforts in the Catholic Church, as ‘controversial’, while it favors US Cardinal Raymond Burke, a vocal critic of Francis.”

Read more:

In Vatican Rumors and on Social Media, Support for a Conservative as Next Pope Is Surging – But Francis Installed 80% of ‘Progressive’ Cardinals Who Will Vote in the Conclave