The Ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican assessed the chances of a Ukrainian becoming Pope.

Conclave in the Vatican: chances of Cardinal Bichko becoming the new Pope

On the eve of the conclave's start, Andriy Yuras, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican, shared his thoughts with 'Glavkom' regarding possible successors to the Pope. He noted that any male Catholic can be elected to the position of Pope, but among the most likely candidates, Cardinal Bichko is currently not included.

«One and a half, possibly two dozen are named among those who are on the list of the most probable. Given many objective circumstances, we have not seen Cardinal Bichko in this list,» Yuras noted.

The Ambassador added that awarding the title to Cardinal Bichko during the last appointment of cardinals by Pope Francis is a significant investment in Ukraine's future presence among cardinals. He also emphasized that Cardinal Bichko, who is the youngest in the College of Cardinals, will have the opportunity to influence the policy of the Catholic Church for decades to come.

In his statement, Yuras did not refrain from commenting on possible 'dirty methods' that are used to influence the conclave. The Ambassador emphasized the uniqueness of the moment of electing a new Pope and expressed his desire to see someone who understands and supports Ukraine in this position.

Preparations for the Conclave: the Vatican becomes the center of attention for believers worldwide

In connection with the upcoming Conclave in the Vatican, a number of security measures have been implemented, including the disconnection of mobile communication in the area. All 133 cardinals have already gathered in Rome to participate in the voting, and communication jammers will be installed around the Sistine Chapel to ensure the secrecy of the conclave.

It is expected that the voting for the new Pope will become a central event not only for the religious sphere but also for the global community, as the elected leader will become the head of the Catholic Church for the coming decades.