Italian magazine publishes insider's account of 2005 papal conclave

July 28, 2011

The Italian magazine Limes has published what is said to be a diary kept by a cardinal during the papal conclave of April 2005.

If a cardinal did indeed keep a diary, and allowed it to become public, he violated the vow of secrecy that is in force at a conclave, and is subject to excommunication.

The Limes document says that Cardinal Ratzinger was the heavy favorite when the conclave began, and only one other prelate--Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires--had substantial backing.

 

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Further information:

• The secret diary of the most recent conclave (Vatican Insider)