New Pope bets: see changes in favorites after 1st day of conclave

Sorted in 1980, he entered the Vatican diplomatic service in 1983. Cardinal acted as Pope Francis’ secretary of state since the beginning of Jorge Bergoglio’s papacy in 2013.

Pietro is considered “vice-party” due to his position in the church. The secretaries of state are similar to a prime minister, occupying second place in the Vatican hierarchy, behind only the pontiff.

The cardinal also acted in the government of Pope Benedict 16. He was Deputy Foreign Minister and in 2009 he was appointed Vatican ambassador to Venezuela.

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.”

How is the conclave?

The conclave started today. The date was decided during the fifth General Congregation, a closed -door meeting among the cardinals – the first since Pope Francis’ funeral.