[Catholic Caucus] Pope says he was 'used' in 2005 conclave: Ratzinger 'was my candidate'

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ^ | March 31, 2024 | Justin McLellan

[ebb tide]

[Catholic Caucus] Pope says he was 'used' in 2005 conclave: Ratzinger 'was my candidate'

Pope Francis discusses details from the 2005 conclave he participated in as archbishop of Buenos Aires in an upcoming book.

Pope Francis voted for Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, in the 2005 conclave that followed the death of St. John Paul II.

"He was the only one who could be pope at that time," Pope Francis said about his immediate predecessor in an excerpt from the upcoming book "El Sucesor" ("The Successor"). The excerpt was published March 31 by the Spanish daily newspaper ABC.

Pope Francis told Spanish journalist Javier Martínez-Brocal that he voted for Cardinal Ratzinger in the 2005 conclave because after the "dynamic, very active pontificate" of St. John Paul, "a pope was needed that would maintain a healthy balance, a transitional pope."

"El Sucesor" is a book-length interview with Martínez-Brocal focused on Pope Francis' relationship with Pope Benedict. Discussing the conclave that he participated in as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires and which elected his predecessor, Pope Francis said he was "used" by other cardinals attempting to block Cardinal Ratzinger's election to the papacy. He was widely reported to have come out second on the final ballot.

Pope Francis said that a group of cardinals deployed a "full-fledged maneuver" by putting forward his name "to block Ratzinger's election and then negotiate for a different, third candidate." He said he had received 40 of the 115 votes from among the cardinal-electors in the Sistine Chapel -- "enough to stop the candidacy of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, because if they would have kept voting for me he would not have been able to reach the two-thirds needed to be elected pope."

"They still did not agree on who, but they were on the verge of throwing out a name," he said.

Once he learned of the strategy after the second or third ballot cast in the April 18-19 conclave, Pope Francis said he told Colombian Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos to not "joke with my candidacy" and that he would not accept being pope if he were elected. "And from there Benedict was elected," he said.

Pope Francis said the group of cardinals who had put him up for election later told him they did not want a "foreign" pope. Although he did not explain what the comment meant, the term "foreign" was used in media reports after the 1978 election of St. John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope since 1523. Although Pope Francis was born and raised in Argentina he is ethnically Italian.

Pope Francis said that Cardinal Ratzinger "was my candidate" in the conclave and that he came out of the conclave feeling pleased.

"If they had elected someone like me, who makes a big mess, he would not have been able to do anything," he said. "Benedict XVI was a man who went with the new style, and it wasn't easy for him. He found a lot of resistance inside the Vatican."

Asked what he thought the Holy Spirit was saying to the Catholic Church through the election of Pope Benedict, the pope said the Spirit was saying, "Here I am in charge. There is no room for maneuvering."

In the book excerpt, Pope Francis prefaces his response to the journalist's questions about the 2005 election by explaining that while cardinals are sworn not to reveal what happens in a conclave, "popes are allowed to tell."

The book is scheduled to be released in Spanish April 3; no publication date for an English-language translation for the book has yet been announced.

[ebb tide]

"If they had elected someone like me, who makes a big mess, he would not have been able to do anything," he (Bergoglio) said. "Benedict XVI was a man who went with the new style, and it wasn't easy for him. He found a lot of resistance inside the Vatican."

[GrumpyOldGuy]

ANTI pope. NOT the Pope.

[ebb tide]

Ping

He said he had received 40 of the 115 votes from among the cardinal-electors in the Sistine Chapel -- "enough to stop the candidacy of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, because if they would have kept voting for me he would not have been able to reach the two-thirds needed to be elected pope."

Like his fellow "devout Catholic", Joe Biden, Bergoglio is a notorious liar.

He has also broken an oath he had taken:

"Strictest Secrecy": Francis Breaks His Oath

We, the cardinal electors present at this election of the Supreme Pontiff, promise, pledge and swear, as individuals and as a group, to faithfully and scrupulously observe the prescriptions contained in the Apostolic Constitution of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, Universi Dominici Gregis, published on 22 February 1996.

We also promise, pledge and swear that whoever is elected Roman Pontiff by Divine Providence will faithfully carry out the munus Petrinum of Pastor of the universal Church and will not fail to affirm and vigorously defend the spiritual and temporal rights and freedom of the Holy See.

In a special way, we promise and swear to observe with the greatest fidelity and with all persons, clerical and lay, the secrecy of everything that in any way relates to the election of the Roman Pontiff and of everything that happens in the place of the election, directly or indirectly related to the results of the election.

We promise and swear not to break this secret in any way, either during or after the election of the new Pontiff, unless expressly authorised by the same Pontiff; and never to support or favour any interference, opposition or other form of intervention by which secular authorities of whatever order or degree, or any group of persons or individuals, could intervene in the election of the Roman Pontiff. "

In this case, the "same Pontiff" would have been Pope Benedict, not Bergoglio.

[Trump_Triumphant]

This guy is bonkers.

[Trump_Triumphant]

And he admits he makes a mess.

[Oystir]

Ebby, ebby, ebby do you have a specific complaint about the two Popes mentioned, or one in particular, or are you just throwing this up?

[ebb tide]

What do you think, oystir?

Are you that thick?

[ebb tide]

Pope: "I want a mess!"

[Oystir]

Ah, the old envy trick. Not answering a simple direct question. What do you find offensive from your posted article?

[ebb tide]

It’s your beloved USCCB that’s “throwing this up”.

Take you complaints up with them, foister; not me.

[ebb tide]

What do you find offensive from your posted article?

Your puerile comments.

[chopperk]

Seems homos control the Curia and the Conclave.

[Oystir]

Yep. Proven again. Ebby never answers. Here’s a simple one for you. I realize the last question had too many Popes mentioned and it confused you. So on Good Friday did you say your prayers? So as to not confuse you they honor Francis. Repeat after me,”For the Pope

Let us pray also for our most Holy Father Pope N.,

that our God and Lord,

who chose him for the Order of Bishops,

may keep him safe and unharmed for the Lord’s holy Church,

to govern the holy People of God.

Prayer in silence. Then the Priest says:

Almighty ever-living God,

by whose decree all things are founded,

look with favor on our prayers

and in your kindness protect the Pope chosen for us,

that, under him, the Christian people,

governed by you their maker,

may grow in merit by reason of their faith.

Through Christ our Lord.”

Thanks Ebby, I knew you could do it!

[xkaydet65]

What is the Pope doing? He writes a behind the scenes expose of the most secret and important decision the Catholic Church can make. There are still many Catholics who view the papal election as the work of the Holy Spirit. Bergolio has made it a poor imitation of Tammany Hall.
DISGRATZIATA!!!

[CdMGuy]

This guy is writing a book about himself. He should title it, “How I Stole the Papacy.” As for his claim that he voted for Cardinal Ratzinger, sorry Papa but this Catholic cannot believe anything that you say. I am still curious as to why after all of these years, you have not made so much as one return visit to your native Argentina. I think I know why.

[Da Coyote]

The words of the Pope are worth even less than the words of Biden. Think about that.

[ebb tide]

Let us pray also for our most Holy Father Pope N.,

that our God and Lord,

who chose him for the Order of Bishops

Jesus Christ also chose Judas Iscariot, foister. What's your point.

It's too late to pray for the traitor, Judas.

Yet, while we still have time, let's pray for the conversion of Jorge, the Humble, Bergoglio to the Catholic Faith.

Here's the proper Good Friday prayer intercession for Bergoglio:

Let us pray also for heretics and schismatics: that our Lord God would be pleased to rescue them from all their errors; and recall them to our holy mother the Catholic and Apostolic Church.
P. Let us pray.
D. Let us kneel.
S. Arise.
Almighty and everlasting God, who savest all, and wouldst that no one should perish: look on the souls that are led astray by the deceit of the devil: that having set aside all heretical evil, the hearts of those that err may repent, and return to the unity of Thy truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.  
R. Amen

[ebb tide]

Pope Francis as Public Heretic: The Evidence Leaves No Doubt — by Dr. John Lamont

[ebb tide]

Letter signed by more than 1,500 accuses Pope Francis of the 'canonical delict of heresy'

Cardinal Muller Accuses Pope Francis of Heresy

Theologians accuse pope of heresy

[Bigg Red]

The imPopestor