essential
While the fateful date is fast approaching, the Italian conservative press accuses Emmanuel Macron of interference in the conclave. The head of state would thus seek to influence the choice of the future sovereign pontiff in order to promote the election of a Frenchman or at least of a candidate favorable to France. Two meals in Rome and the proximity of the French president with an influential Catholic movement particularly concentrate the grievances of our neighbors.
The deadline is fast approaching. From May 7, 133 cardinals from around the world will come together in the Sistine Chapel to vote every day for the future Pope. But it is not the identity of the next sovereign pontiff that seems to put the nerves of the Italian press to the test. The country’s conservative media are mainly annoyed by the attitude of President Emmanuel Macron who, according to them, tries to influence the outcome of the conclave. His goal, still according to the statements of the Italian press? Make the Archbishop of Marseille elected, Jean-Marc Aveline.
“Macron even wants to choose the pope”, castigates the Milanese daily conservative La Verità. “Macron is even embedded in the conclave”, criticizes the newspaper Libero. “Macron’s greatness does not know any limits”, denounces for his part Il Tempo, criticizing “interventionism worthy of a modern sun king”.
Two meals deemed suspect
At the heart of our neighbors dissatisfaction, two meals from the French president in Rome. The first would have taken place on April 25 with Andrea Riccardi, founder of an association of Catholic faithful. Sant’Egidio, influential community involved in the fight against poverty in the world and with 70,000 secular members through 74 countries, had privileged relations with Pope Francis, reports The world. This movement, which conducts diplomatic action in parallel with its help to the poorest, would play an important role in the Vatican international relations.
On April 26, this time a lunch would have gathered the head of state and four cardinals at the French Embassy in Rome. Apart from Jean-Marc Aveline, Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nonce in the United States, Philippe Barbarin and François Bustillo, bishop of Ajaccio, would also have assisted there.
For the Italian conservative press, the conclusions are already drawn. “If he managed to raise his favorite cardinal to the pontifical throne, the French head of state would instantly regain international weight”, analyzes Libero. “Ready to do anything to go back in the polls that see him in free fall in terms of popularity, the tenant of the Élysée would have even thought of playing a role during the next Conclave,” also said Il Tempo.
Read also:
Infographic. Pope Francis’ death: a day, two days, three years … How long does a conclave last?
“Big plot”
It is also suspected of making want to elect another “papabile”, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian episcopal conference. Coming from the Sant’Egidio community, he was close to the late Pope and defends, among other things, like his predecessor, the rights of migrants. Values opposed to the extreme right policy of the Italian government led by Giorgia Meloni. It was not necessary for the transalpine media to accuse the French president of hatching a “big plot” to steal the victory with conservative candidates, who would suppose the favors of the Italian government supposedly.
Sant’Egidio denounces on its side of the “shortened” shortcuts “. “Macron seeks to understand the process, not to influence it,” says the organization.
