ROME — Interest in the possibility of a papal election has surged, fueled by the Oscar-nominated film “Conclave.” However, Pope Francis recently disrupted some of the speculation regarding a future vote in the Sistine Chapel. He announced on Thursday that he would be extending the term of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the current dean of the College of Cardinals, rather than appointing a new dean.
The Vatican disclosed in a midday bulletin that Pope Francis has opted to prolong Cardinal Re’s tenure at the age of 91, along with the vice-dean, 81-year-old Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. This news comes on the heels of the pope, who is 88, struggling with a new case of bronchitis. The pope, who has had a history of respiratory issues—having lost a lung to an infection in his youth—will conduct his upcoming audiences from the Vatican hotel instead of the Apostolic Palace.
As highlighted in the film “Conclave,” the dean of the College of Cardinals holds a significant position within the Catholic Church’s hierarchy. Serving as a reference point for other cardinals, the dean is instrumental during transitions between papacies. In the event of a pope’s death or resignation, it is the dean who facilitates the private meetings where cardinals evaluate the needs of the Church and the desirable qualities of a new pope, in addition to overseeing the conclave voting process within the Sistine Chapel.
Upon the election of a new pope, the dean also plays a critical role by asking the elected individual whether he accepts the position and what name he wishes to go by. Given the centrality of this role, there has been considerable speculation about who could succeed Re when his five-year term expires on January 18. In a reform executed in 2019, Pope Francis established a five-year term that can be renewed once, in contrast to the previous lifetime appointment. With Re’s advanced age, it was anticipated that a successor would be appointed.
Candidates for the position were believed to include Sandri and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s current secretary of state. There was no clarification regarding whether the extension of Re’s term indicated another full five years or if it was simply a temporary measure. The reform from 2019 states that the dean’s term may be “renewable if necessary,” but it does not specify provisions for merely extending the current term.
In another development on Thursday, Pope Francis designated American Cardinal Robert Prevost as a member of the select group of high-ranking cardinals responsible for electing the dean from their ranks. Prevost currently serves as prefect of the Vatican’s office for bishops, which reviews bishop nominations globally—a position Re previously held for a decade.
Historically, previous deans have been influential figures within the Church, including Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 after presiding over Pope John Paul II’s funeral in his role as dean. During papal transitions, the dean collaborates closely with the camerlengo, the cardinal tasked with managing the administrative responsibilities of the Holy See. Presently, this role is held by American Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
Even prior to the intrigue incited by “Conclave,” there has been enduring curiosity in Rome regarding the roles of the dean, the camerlengo, and the future of conclaves, particularly in light of discussions concerning the health of Pope Francis. Despite his use of a wheelchair and recurring respiratory issues during the winter, the pope has not shown signs of reducing his workload. Just this Thursday morning, before the announcement of his bronchitis diagnosis, he conducted eight private audience sessions, including one with the leadership of the Brazilian bishops conference.
The film “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris’s novel, features Ralph Fiennes in the role of the dean and has garnered eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
