Betting for New Updated Pope: See BETS forecast leaders today

Parolin was the main architect of Vatican’s rapprochement with China and Vietnam. The conservatives attacked him because of an agreement on the appointment of bishops in Communist China. He defended the agreement by saying that although not perfect, he avoided a schism and provided some form of communication with the Beijing government.

The Italian has never been directly involved in the so -called cultural wars of the Church on topics such as abortion and homosexual rights. However, on one occasion he condemned the legalization of same -sex marriage, labeling as “a defeat for humanity.”

When does the conclave start?

The conclave will start on May 7th. The date was decided during the fifth General Congregation, a closed -door meeting among the cardinals – the first since Pope Francis’ funeral.

There is no definite period for the conclave. The previous two, held in 2005 and 2013, lasted only two days. In the longest conclave of recent history in 1922, the final decision took 5 days.