CHINA DEAL COMES UP
Leo greeted every of the cardinals individually as they left the assembly, which was held in the identical small Vatican auditorium the place the cardinals had been gathering within the days earlier than the conclave to debate who ought to be the subsequent pope.
Czech Cardinal Dominik Duka stated one matter that got here up was the state of affairs of Catholics in communist China.
The Vatican and China in 2018 signed a controversial deal on the appointment of bishops within the nation, which provides Beijing some enter into their choice.
Conservatives have attacked the still-secret deal as a sell-out, however Duka informed Reuters it was essential to preserve a dialogue open in locations the place the Church is oppressed, evaluating it to dialogue between the Vatican and japanese European international locations in the course of the Chilly Struggle.
German Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, who brazenly clashed with Francis on points regarding Catholic ethical educating, informed Reuters that Saturday’s encounter was “superb and harmonious.”
To be elected as pope in the course of the Could 7-8 secret conclave on the Sistine Chapel, Leo required a two-thirds majority of 89 of the 133 voting cardinals.
Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana informed Reuters that Leo obtained greater than 100 votes on the last poll on the afternoon of Could 8.
