Power plays at the 2005 conclave. Pope Francis reveals the secrets of the Sistine Chapel

Never, until today, did the Pope reveal anything about this top-secret meeting of cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, which was destined to elect the leader of the Church.

And in addition to revealing the details, Francis exposes interests, intrigues, obscure schemes and power games that do not correspond to the idea that the Pope is chosen at the direction of the Holy Spirit.

“I had 40 out of 115 votes. If they had continued to vote for me, Ratzinger would not have been elected. They told me they didn’t want a foreign Pope. It was a complete maneuver. So he told Colombian Cardinal Dario Castrillon: “Don’t play with my candidacy. Today I will say that I do not accept this.” And that’s when Benedict was elected,” says Pope Francis, adding that he emerged “very happy” from the whole situation.

“The idea was to block Ratzinger. They used me, but behind my back they were already thinking about offering another cardinal,” he explained.

The Argentine pope, who was eventually elected in 2013, confirms that he was some cardinals’ favorite to succeed John Paul II, but that he fought for the election of Benedict XVI “because at that time a transitional pope was necessary.”

Smiling and in good spirits, Francisco celebrated Mass and greeted the faithful.
The strategy of the Vatican doctors was correct. They advised the 87-year-old Pope not to attend Friday night’s long Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome, so he was able to preside over the Easter Vigil on Saturday and the Easter Vigil. Mass this Sunday morning.

On Saturday, he read the ritual readings to the concelebrant cardinals and also delivered a homily to the more than six thousand faithful present.

This Sunday, despite the fact that Francisco was traveling in a wheelchair due to problems with his right knee, he looked in good shape, and most importantly, he was smiling very much and was in a good mood.

He presided over the solemn Easter mass in a very flowery square full of believers, and at the end he drove around the entire square in a Popemobile, greeting those present, who never tired of applauding.

At noon he went up to the cathedral’s balcony for the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing and greeted the crowd once again.

On April 25, the Patriarch of Lisbon celebrates his 50th anniversary
At the Easter Mass this Sunday at the Lisbon Cathedral, Patriarch D. Rui Valerio remembered the 50th anniversary of April 25, recalling that in our country the achievement of democracy occurred during Easter. “Portugal, too, exactly fifty years ago, in the middle of Easter, took to the streets to achieve changes that brought democracy and gave the people the right to vote,” the prelate told the packed cathedral.