"…This scope is seen as a legacy of Pope Francis, who appointed 80 percent of those eligible to vote in an effort to expand the Church’s global reach."

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"…This conclave was famous because it was the last time a foreign power exercised a political veto — a right that, until then, had been held by the most powerful Catholic nations in Europe."

"…The prevailing mood within the conclave is leaning toward continuity, albeit with certain adjustments; being likable and popular isn’t enough."

"…There are any number of challenges facing a new pope and weighing on the cardinals, above all whether to continue and consolidate Francis’ progressive legacy on promoting women, LGBTQ+ acceptance, the environment and migrants, or roll it back to try to unify a church that became more polarized during his pontificate."

"…The reshaping of the College of Cardinals during Pope Francis’s papacy is clear: 27% of the electors have been appointed in the last two years."

"…The conclave comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Catholic church and the various factions vying for its control."

"…Even though Pope Francis has appointed so many of these cardinals, they will all arrive in Rome with different concerns at the forefront of what they're going to be thinking about."

"…What happens next will be a mystery to everyone outside of the Sistine Chapel."

"…The announcement “Habemus Papam” — “We have a pope” — from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica is followed first by the revelation of the new pontiff’s baptismal name, in Latin, followed by his papal name, wrought with meaning."

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"…It is indeed a tall task, given the sexual abuse and financial scandals that have harmed the church’s reputation and the secularizing trends in many parts of the world that are turning people away from organized religion."

"…At the same time, cardinals are not easily influenced."