Gloria.TV News on the 25th of November 2014

Team Bergoglio: Austen Ivereigh writes in a not yet published biography of the Pope that there was a highly organised campaign by a small group of European cardinals to elect Cardinal Bergoglio pope. He calls the group "Team Bergoglio". Its key members were the liberal Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, then 80 and without a vote in the conclave, and cardinal Walter Kasper. Ivereigh is a former press secretary of Murphy-O'Connor.

How It Happened: According to Ivereigh the “Team Bergoglio” learnt from the Conclave of 2005. They first secured Bergoglio's assent. He answered that at this time of crisis for the Church no cardinal could refuse if asked. Murphy-O'Connor warned him to 'be careful'. Begoglio replied: “I understand”. The “Team Bergoglio” started touring the cardinals' dinners to promote their man. They argued that his age should not be considered an obstacle because popes could resign.

Lobbying the Cardinals: Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor's role included lobbying the cardinals from North American and from Commonwealth countries. Having understood from the 2005 conclave, the Team Bergoglio knew that votes travelled to those who made a strong showing out of the gate. A key turning point came during the meetings of the Cardinals before the conclave when Bergoglio gave a short but moving speech about the state of the Church.

Black and White: In the 2005 conclave Cardinal Bergoglio was the runner-up having been put forward by an alliance of mainly European leftwing Cardinals. But it election was prevented by what Ivereigh calls “a dirty tricks campaign by opponents from Argentina”. This remark can only refer to Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.