Pope Francis: Cardinals ‘Used Me’ in 2005 in Scheme To Block Benedict XVI’s Election

Pope Francis Benedict
In this June 28, 2017, file photo, Pope Francis, left, and Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI meet each other on the occasion of the elevation of five new cardinals at the Vatican. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool photo via AP, File)

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Even so, Francis said, reform was not accepted at first. “Benedict XVI was a man who led to the new style. And it wasn’t easy for him, huh? He encountered a lot of resistance within the Vatican,” he said.

Francis underlined that Benedict’s election in 2005 showed that the Holy Spirit decides who is elected pope, and there is not space to rig the conclave.

Since his election as pope in 2013, Francis has created one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse batches of cardinals in Catholic history, assigning red hats to places that are far removed from traditional centers of power in the church.

This article originally appeared here

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cGiangrave@outreach.com'
Claire Giangrave
Claire Giangravé is an author at Religion News Service.

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