politico.eu
European Cardinals Dominate Conclave Despite Global Catholic Population
The 2023 conclave to elect the next pope is overrepresented by European cardinals (40 percent of 133), despite Pope Francis' efforts to diversify; this contrasts with the global distribution of 1.4 billion Catholics, where Europe accounts for only one-fifth.
- What is the significance of Europe's overrepresentation in the cardinal conclave, considering the global distribution of Catholics?
- The 2023 conclave selecting the next pope is heavily weighted toward Europe, with 52 of 133 cardinals (40 percent) based there, despite Pope Francis' efforts to diversify. This overrepresentation contrasts sharply with the global distribution of Catholics, where Europe accounts for only one-fifth of the total. The conclave's decision will impact the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
- How did Pope Francis's appointments impact the demographic makeup of the conclave, and what factors explain the persistence of European dominance?
- While Pope Francis appointed nearly 90 percent of the cardinals from Africa, Asia, and South America in the conclave, the overall impact on European dominance was limited. Even with Francis's appointments, a significant majority of voting cardinals remain European, particularly a large number from Italy. This demographic skew does not reflect the global Catholic population.
- What are the long-term implications of Europe's disproportionate influence on the future direction of the Catholic Church, considering demographic trends within and outside of Europe?
- The disproportionate European representation in the conclave highlights the challenges in reforming the deeply entrenched structures of the Catholic Church. Future conclaves might appear less European, as some European cardinals will age out, but systemic changes are needed to truly reflect the global distribution of Catholicism. The decline in European Catholicism while other continents experience growth further underscores this need.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the story around the underrepresentation of non-European cardinals, highlighting Pope Francis' efforts to diversify and the continued imbalance. The headline and introduction emphasize the disproportionate European influence, setting the stage for a narrative focused on this disparity. While this is a valid concern, the framing could be perceived as subtly critical of the European cardinals' prominence.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, though terms like "vastly overrepresented" and "on the wane" carry slightly negative connotations. These could be replaced with more neutral phrasing such as "significantly overrepresented" and "experiencing a decline." The article uses the term "Global South" which, while commonly used, can be imprecise and might be better specified.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the European representation in the conclave, but omits detailed discussion of the specific theological or political viewpoints represented by cardinals from other continents. While it mentions the liberal vs. traditional split, it doesn't elaborate on how this split manifests geographically. The article also doesn't discuss the potential influence of different regions on the election process beyond general statements about geopolitical jostling. This omission limits a complete understanding of the diverse factors influencing the papal selection.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by framing the issue primarily as a conflict between Europe and the rest of the world. While the overrepresentation of Europe is a significant point, the article doesn't fully explore the diversity of viewpoints within Europe or the potential for alliances and collaborations across continents. This simplification might lead readers to overemphasize the Europe vs. Global South narrative.
Sustainable Development Goals
The overrepresentation of European cardinals in the conclave, despite the global distribution of Catholics, indicates an imbalance of power and influence within the Catholic Church. This disproportionate representation undermines efforts towards equitable global participation and decision-making within the religious institution.