Rome:
Rome is buzzing with jasmine blooms and throngs of tourists. Yet, behind closed doors, there’s a different scene unfolding—dinner gatherings, coffee meetups, and private discussions as the cardinals begin the serious business of selecting a successor to Pope Francis.
It was in this quiet prelude, back in March 2013, that retired Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, along with other reform-minded Europeans, rallied for the candidacy of Argentine Jesuit Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Their efforts paid off, leading to Pope Francis’s election after just five votes.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, now the Archbishop of Westminster, has stepped into Murphy O’Connor’s shoes, though he hasn’t embraced the role of a lobbyist for the cardinals as they ponder their next steps for the papacy. “We have different styles,” Nichols chuckled during a recent interview at a prestigious seminary in Rome where he studied in the 1960s. “Cardinal Cormac loved to be in the spotlight. I’m a bit more reserved.”
Despite this, at 79, Nichols offered an insider’s glance into the conversations swirling among his fellow electors while enjoying a Carbonara meal in Rome. As they gather to bid farewell to the Pope, informal meetings are helping to set the stage for the Conclave set to begin on May 7th.
Recently, Nichols has been involved in daily morning meetings at the Vatican auditorium with other cardinals, discussing the needs of the Church and considering potential candidates to lead it. These sessions are open to all cardinals, including those over 80, although the conclave itself is restricted to cardinals under that age.
Aside from the afternoon mass, part of the official mourning for Francis, the rest of the day remains free for the cardinals. They’ve been spotted trying to maintain discretion while wandering and dining around the city.
“It’s not a brigade of boys marching in step.”
Nichols reflected on the past 12 years under Pope Francis, noting that as the cardinals consider their path forward, early ideas about potential successors are starting to emerge. “We’re looking for someone who can embody deep faith while also being open,” he said.
Pope Benedict XVI appointed Nichols as Archbishop of Westminster in 2009, but he was not made a cardinal until 2014 when Pope Francis elevated him to that role. Nichols has since held positions in multiple significant Vatican offices, including one that oversees bishops worldwide.
“Honestly, it’s mostly polite listening these days,” Nichols remarked. “Everyone’s sharing their thoughts on who might be the best candidate. I wouldn’t be shocked if opinions shift by Monday.”
The emerging profile of a new pope seems to lean towards someone who can connect with the doctrinal legacies of both St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI, alongside a consideration of the diverse realities facing the Catholic Church today. Francis expanded the College of Cardinals to include members from places like Tonga and Mongolia, challenging the traditional European-centric view.
Of course, divisions persist. “But I can’t recall a moment when all Catholics agreed on everything,” Nichols pointed out.
“We are not a brigade of boys marching in step.” He emphasized that further integration with the next pope is essential, particularly to continue the focus on the marginalized, as Francis aimed to do. “This originality signals a need for stability and continuity,” Nichols observed, stressing that these ideas are not just the vision of one leader but are reflective of the broader human experience.
“Team Bergoglio”
In his book, *The Great Reformer*, biographer Austin Ivereigh recounted how the 2013 Conclave saw reform-minded cardinals like Nichols’ predecessor Murphy O’Connor leverage the situation to advocate for Bergoglio while the Italians campaigned for their own candidate.
This “Team Bergoglio” had tried to push for Bergoglio during the 2005 Conclave, but Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger gained traction, ultimately becoming Benedict XVI. In 2013, although too old to participate in the voting, Team Bergoglio engaged in discussions around Rome in a bid to secure at least 25 votes for him in the first round, establishing his viability as a candidate.
Nichols has yet to express definitive preferences regarding potential candidates. “For me, it feels akin to a political election, but I won’t enter the Conclave aiming to back just one side. I’ll consider my views but remain open to adapting them based on discussions with others,” he stated.
