The decision faced was whether to select a pastor or diplomat, a liberal or conservative, someone experienced in the Curia—the governing body of the Church—or an outsider from regions where Catholicism is growing robustly.
Before the cardinals were sealed in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, their dean, Giovanni Battista Re, encouraged them to elect a leader capable of maintaining the Church’s unity.
The next pope will need to guide the Church through a challenging and intricate period in history, marked by global conflicts and the emergence of ultra-nationalist movements.
Additionally, the Church has struggled to adapt to contemporary society, dealing with decreasing numbers of priests and a growing absence of congregants in the West.
Typically, the papal inauguration occurs within a week of the election, featuring a mass attended by political and religious leaders from around the globe.
