4) Francis, with the secular media providing air cover, rides this out until natural death 8 years from now at age 90. His entire gang of creeps and crooks stay in power and is bolstered by even more creeps and crooks. Francis abolishes the entire catechism with respect to sexual morality, approving homosexual acts, homosexual marriage, birth control, fornication, etc... and throws in women deacons for good measure. The Church is the USA & Europe hemorrhages 50% of its members A new conclave convenes, and with 90% of its voting members being Francis-appointees, elects a liberal, openly gay American Cardinal as the 267th pontiff. The cardinal takes the name Francis II.
True. I hoped that one wouldnt be a viable possibility. Though the changes you suggest would also be sufficiently heretical that one of the Cardinals (+Burke?) would declare the See vacant. Again, schism, possibly with multiple claimants to the Papacy; also with the good guys not having the high ground.
If it goes that way, call Salvini and remind him why Mussolini built that big, beautiful boulevard leading up to the front of Piazza San Pietro.
The Pope is tired (you can see it in his eyes). One tires much faster when staring down the barrel of a tank gun. I doubt he has eight years even without the present turmoil.