Conclave Drama

My two cents on the goings-on

My wife suggested that I write something about the conclave. I insisted that no one cares what I have to say about it; everyone and their mother has a thought about the conclave and who is papible for not. What does it matter what I have to say? The answer: it doesn’t. However, that does not stop people from wondering, voicing their desires and concerns, and opining about one of the most important events of a person’s lifetime.

In that spirit, I will offer my own observations.

Cardinal Sarah would be an amazing pope. Cardinal Pizzaballa would be an amazing pope. Cardinal Erdo would be an amazing pope. And I am sure there are many other good, holy cardinals that I do not know.

Cardinal Sarah has proven himself to be a thoughtful and holy priest. He and Benedict XVI converge theologically and liturgically. As the former head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, Card. Sarah gave the world great reflections on the nature of the Sacred Liturgy, the posture of the priest (in favor of ad orientem), and had a clear understanding of authentic inculturation.

Cardinal Pizzaballa is relatively unknown to me. But after October 7 in Israel, he told Hamas to give back the hostages and take him in their place. That incident alone speaks volumes about the man. He has the heart of St. Maximillian Kolbe. Card. Pizzaballa, in the sermons I have heard from him, speaks well of the truths of the Faith and has a heart for Christ and His Church.

Cardinal Erdo is Hungarian. I know nothing about him, other than the media paints him as a doctrinal conservative. What I was impressed by was his ability to stay his tongue, unless necessity calls for something to be said. He is also on the record as defending Pope Francis on more than one occasion. So, he seems like the type of papal candidate who could adeptly navigate Vatican politics and international conversations.

There are other relatively unknown cardinals—at least in the English speaking world—that would probably be fantastic popes. I trust the Holy Spirit to move in the Sistine Chapel with great dynamism. My prayer is that the cardinal electors heed His promptings and are docile to divine desire.

The whole world has their eyes fixed on the chimney installed above the conclave. Every news outlet in the world tunes in for this momentous event. Each lay person, clergyman, and religious cares deeply about the outcome of the conclave if they care deeply about the Church. The world sees the conclave as a political event and, of course, it is in many respects. Beyond the politics, though, is a mystical reality that supersedes the mundane. The Vicar of Christ is the Pontifex: the bridge-builder. We have but one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. But Jesus founded His Church upon the Rock of St. Peter that we might have a pastor here on Earth to be a visible symbol of unity and point us to the invisible reality of our unity, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For my part, I will keep praying and hoping for a pope who brings stability, discipline, doctrinal clarity, unity, and who is on fire for love of Christ and His Church.

Veni Sancte Spiritus!