One of the most distinct memories any reporter will take away from covering the election of the new Pope is that no sooner was there speculation in print about a “frontrunner” to become the 266th successor to St. Peter then that particular cardinal was swiftly — and very harshly — fired upon in traditional and social media outlets.
With a few hours to go before the 133 cardinals convene in the Sistine Chapel to begin secret deliberations and votes, then, it is becoming clear there is no frontrunner for Pope.
Over the weekend, much of the press and talk in Rome was focused on Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state for 12 years and considered so close to Pope Francis that he was privately dubbed “Francis II” by Vatican insiders.
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