(ZENIT News / Rome, 27.02.2024).- In December 2023, an American Website, known for its criticism of Pope Francis, launched two proposals that shook the foundations of the Vatican. The first was about the Pontiff’s calling for the reform of the Conclave, an institution whose structure has remained practically unaltered over the centuries. The second suggested the possibility of including in the Conclave, as in the Synod of Bishops, individuals other than Cardinals to increase the “representativity” of the electoral body. These supposed reforms could mean the abandonment of the rule that, since 1049, reserves the election of the Bishop of Rome solely to Cardinals.
However, since then, there has been no progress in these alleged reforms. The recent controversy unleashed by the Declaration “Fiducia Supplicans,” on the blessing of “irregular” couples, reflects the difficulties the Church faces to implement significant changes. This Declaration, condemned by some as ineffective and inappropriate, reflects a more profound crisis in the ecclesiastical institution and its decision-making mechanisms.
An analysis article, published by Alberto Melloni, known historian favourable to Pope Francis, poses the urgent need of a reform in the Conclave, not in as much as its composition and functions, but in its relation to the times. In a world marked by the resurgence of geopolitical conflicts and the growth of nationalism, the Roman Catholic Church emerges as a counter-weight to the aspirants of global hegemony. In face of the rise of power politics based on technology and violence, the Church represents a disarmed but influential global force.
The Conclave’s history reveals its essential purpose: to guarantee an indisputable and swift papal succession in times of uncertainty. However, the current risks, such as the manipulation of information and external interference, pose additional challenges to this process. The speed with which recent Conclaves have decided, suggests a lack of time for internal dialogue and reflection, which can undermine the legitimacy of the papal election.
A simple but effective solution is proposed: to space out the votes to enable a greater internal debate and to avoid precipitate decisions. This reform, although seemingly trivial, could strengthen the cohesion of the College of Cardinals and protect the elected Pope from unfounded accusations. The proposal on the revision of the Conclave’s times and procedures implies the possibility to space out the votes to enable a greater dialogue and reflection among the Cardinal Electors. This could avoid precipitate decisions and guarantee a more deliberative and transparent process.
Posed, moreover, is the need to re-evaluate the duration of the Conclave and the frequency of the votes. It’s argued that recent Conclaves have been too short, which has limited the time for internal debate and the building of consensus. By extending the duration of the Concave and reducing the frequency of the votes, a more reflective and collaborative process could be fostered.
The question that remains in the air is if Pope Francis will carry out this necessary reform and, if so, how he will do it. In this connection, the lack of consensus inside the Church and the complexity of the institutional structure pose significant challenges. However, the urgency of the situation calls for decisive action to guarantee the stability and integrity of the Church in a world in constant change. Another proposal for the reform of the Conclave came, in the recent past, from another historian: Cardinal Walter Brandmüller. In that case the proposal was, essentially, to reduce the Cardinal Electors to the conditioning of having lived in Rome
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