When the world’s Catholic cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pontiff, eight out of ten will share one primary thing in common: They were all elevated to their rank by Pope Francis.
As they gather for what is expected to be the largest conclave in history, the cardinals now face a stark choice: to continue along the path of reform as the trailblazing Francis — of opening the church up to the modern world and making its structures more inclusive — or to initiate a course correction.
Three critical factors will weigh heavily on the men in red hats as they gather to decide who will emerge wearing a white one: theology, geography and personality.
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With thanks to the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) and Christopher White, where this article originally appeared.
