Cardinal Tarnished by Secret Chinese Pact Emerges as Front-Runner for Pope

An Italian cardinal once tainted by a secret deal with China over the appointment of Catholic bishops has emerged as the favorite to be elected pope.

Pietro Parolin, 70, is a seasoned diplomat who served under Pope Francis as secretary of state – effectively the prime minister of the Vatican City State.

The odds of him being elected as the successor to the late pope when 133 cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday at the start of the conclave are now at 9/4, according to British bookmaker William Hill. . .

Catholics in China are split into two camps – those who are members of an underground church that is loyal to Rome and the pope, and those who belong to a state-sanctioned church that refuses to accept the authority of the pontiff.

Under the deal, struck in 2018 and since renewed several times, Chinese officials were given some input into bishops who are appointed by the Vatican. Critics said the agreement sold out those Catholics who are loyal to Rome and represented a capitulation to Beijing. (Read more from “Cardinal Tarnished by Secret Chinese Pact Emerges as Front-Runner for Pope” HERE)