Stacey Maitry

So Cardinal Pietro Parolin is the Secretary of State for the Vatican, which means he's basically the number two official under Pope Francis. And so therefore, you know, if you're looking for somebody who is going to maybe provide a bit of continuity with the previous pope, Parolin is your man.

So Cardinal Pietro Parolin is the Secretary of State for the Vatican, which means he's basically the number two official under Pope Francis. And so therefore, you know, if you're looking for somebody who is going to maybe provide a bit of continuity with the previous pope, Parolin is your man.

But the thinking among the experts here and also some of the cardinals is that if Parolin doesn't manage to get enough votes in the early rounds, his candidacy could start to fade. And if his candidacy does fade, then we'll start to see some of the dark horse candidates emerge.

But the thinking among the experts here and also some of the cardinals is that if Parolin doesn't manage to get enough votes in the early rounds, his candidacy could start to fade. And if his candidacy does fade, then we'll start to see some of the dark horse candidates emerge.

Usually you don't see this level of politicking going on in the College of Cardinals because it's supposed to be, and it is, a sacred vote. The fact that One of the cardinals who had been banned by the Pope from participating in this conclave decided to show up at the beginning of the pre-conclave deliberations demanding that he be admitted into the voting session.

Usually you don't see this level of politicking going on in the College of Cardinals because it's supposed to be, and it is, a sacred vote. The fact that One of the cardinals who had been banned by the Pope from participating in this conclave decided to show up at the beginning of the pre-conclave deliberations demanding that he be admitted into the voting session.

And the only reason he wasn't allowed in is because Parolin, the frontrunner, produced not one but two letters from the Pope from beyond the grave reiterating the fact that this particular cardinal was persona non grata. So there's been a lot of drama around this particular conclave.

And the only reason he wasn't allowed in is because Parolin, the frontrunner, produced not one but two letters from the Pope from beyond the grave reiterating the fact that this particular cardinal was persona non grata. So there's been a lot of drama around this particular conclave.