Choosing a pope: What qualities the cardinals will look for in the conclave

Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope.

In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses:

• Cardinal Beniamino Stella’s stunning attack on Pope Francis in Wednesday’s general congregation meeting of the College of Cardinals
• The “election” of a new bishop in mainland China—while the chair of St. Peter is empty
• Papabile: How do conclave watchers come up with their lists of the next pope (and should we trust them?)

This episode features:

• Sebastian Gomes, America’s executive editor of audio and video
• Colleen Dulle, co-host of America’s “Inside the Vatican” podcast
• Ashley McKinless, executive editor and co-host of America’s “Jesuitical” podcast
• Zac Davis, director of digital strategy and co-host of America’s “Jesuitical” podcast

Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe

Links from the show:

• Backer of Cardinal Parolin attacks Pope Francis’ push for lay involvement in church governance
• The new pope: How journalists (and cardinals) come up with their list of candidates
• Designers up in arms over Pope Francis’ tombstone