The Silly Season in Rome, by Austin Ruse

By Austin Ruse, Crisis Magazine, May 9, 2025

Austin Ruse is a contributing editor to Crisis Magazine. He is president of the Center for Family and Human Rights in New York and Washington DC. He is the author of several books including, Under Siege: No Finer Time to be a Faithful Catholic (Crisis Publications). He can be reached at austinruse@c-fam.org.

The time between the passing of a pontiff and the election of a new one is a time when Rome may be at its worst, a time of whispers, goofy rumors, and even calumny.

There was much silliness leading up to this week’s conclave. For example…

Did you see that Cardinal Chomali of Santiago washed his own white shirt in order to “arrive at the conclave spotless!” There is even a picture of his hands washing the shirt! Yeah, amazing!

Did you hear that Cardinal Oscar Rodriquez Maradiaga left Rome in a huff, said to be bitter and disillusioned that “too many Cardinals appointed by Francis are betraying the late pontiff.” Yeah, amazing.

Did you hear that Cardinal Dolan was in the running? ….