The NY Times published an article called Conservative Catholics Take Stage in Rome, Looking to Shape the Church situating these conservative efforts within the broader context of the 2025 conclave, described as one of the largest and most unpredictable in history due to the diverse and global makeup of the College of Cardinals. Pope Francis appointed most of the cardinal-electors (approximately 80% of the 133 eligible voters), diversifying the group with representatives from Asia, Africa, and other regions where Catholicism is growing.
However, the article notes that many of these appointees, particularly from conservative regions like Africa and Asia, do not share Francis’ progressive vision and may align with traditionalist priorities, adding uncertainty to the conclave’s outcome.
Conservative Catholics are not monolithic, sys The New York Times, but their shared goal is to “elect a pope who will slow or reverse Francis’ reforms”. The article mentions potential conservative candidates like Cardinals Raymond Burke, Gerhard Müller, Péter Erdő, and Robert Sarah, though it acknowledges skepticism among observers that the next pope will break significantly from Francis’ mold, given his influence over the College of Cardinals.
The conservative push is framed as a “battle in a war that lasts decades,” suggesting a long-term strategy to reshape the Church.
American Catholic Influence and Political Ties
This NYT piece also emphasizes the unique influence of American Catholics, driven by their financial contributions and alignment with conservative political figures in the United States. It references the growing presence of “MAGA Catholics,” a term used to describe traditionalist Catholics who support former President Donald Trump and his allies, such as Vice President J.D. Vance and cabinet members like Marco Rubio, both Catholic converts. It cites an AP analysis showing Trump’s increased support among Catholic voters in 2024 (54%, up from a near-even split in 2020), particularly among white and Latino Catholics, highlighting the political clout of this demographic.
Conservative Catholic media, such as the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), are also noted for their role in shaping perceptions of the conclave. EWTN, based in Alabama, has grown into a global media conglomerate with significant revenue ($100 million in 2023) and a strong presence in Rome, where it covers the papal transition with live broadcasts and detailed profiles of cardinal-electors. The network’s conservative bent and occasional criticism of Francis amplify the traditionalist narrative.
The NYT acknowledges counterperspectives, noting that some observers, like Villanova University professor Massimo Faggioli, believe conservative Catholics overreacted to Francis’ papacy. Faggioli argues that traditionalists became accustomed to the conservative papacies of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, viewing Francis’ reforms as a departure from a perceived norm. He suggests that the conservative faction, while influential, remains a minority and may not succeed in electing an “anti-Francis” pope, given Francis’ reshaping of the College of Cardinals.
The report also highlights the delicate balance of influence operations. While conservative gatherings are framed as networking and fundraising, they avoid overt lobbying, which is considered inappropriate in the Vatican context. Instead, interactions are described as “subtler” than American political lobbying, focusing on building relationships and sharing concerns with cardinals.
The gatherings described in the article are part of “America Week,” an annual fundraising period for Catholic causes in Rome that coincidentally overlapped with the Novemdiales (nine-day period of mourning and prayer observed by the Catholic Church following the death of a pope) in 2025. This convergence amplified the visibility and impact of American conservative Catholics, whose events stood in contrast to the somber mourning period.
The article suggests that these activities reflect a broader cultural and ideological divide within the global Catholic Church, with American traditionalists seeking to assert their vision against the backdrop of a more progressive, Francis-appointed cardinalate.
The article concludes by framing the conservative Catholic push as a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the 2025 conclave, with American wealth, influence, and political ties playing a central role. While the outcome of the conclave remains uncertain, the activities of conservative power brokers underscore the high stakes of the papal election and the ongoing tensions between progressive and traditionalist visions for the Church’s future.
The power of prayer, lavish gatherings, strategic networking, and fundraising efforts highlight the intersection of faith, politics, and power as the Catholic Church prepares to choose Her 267th pope.
NYT subscribers can read the full articles here > https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/us/conclave-pope-conservative-catholics.html
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