Cardinal Dolan played ‘kingmaker’ in Pope Leo XIV’s shock election: reports
There was a New York City “kingmaker” in the papal conclave.
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan played a decisive role in paving the way for Pope Leo XIV to become the first American pontiff, Italian outlets reported.
The powerful Big Apple cardinal served as “kingmaker” for fellow US Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, rallying support in the conclave especially among English-speaking cardinals hailing from former British Empire countries such as India and South Africa, il Giornale reported.
Dolan’s gregarious campaign for Prevost — also detailed by La Stampa — sank the chances of Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Italy, the Italian outlets somewhat bitterly reported.
A spokesman for Dolan could not be reached for Post comment on Friday.
Dolan offered a much more humble account of his time in Vatican City during a FOX5 interview Friday.
When asked how dark-horse Prevost was elected pope, Dolan suggested he was shocked along with the rest of the world.
“I’m still trying to figure it out,” Dolan said with a laugh.
Dolan said the cardinals spent two weeks before the conclave “getting to know one another” and speaking about the challenges facing the next successor of Saint Peter.
“And, darn it, it paid off,” he said.
“Because when we went in there Wednesday afternoon, I think most people had a clean, clear idea about the candidate that they wanted – and it didn’t take that long.”
Dolan said he really didn’t know Prevost before coming to Rome ahead of the conclave but that his reputation as a sensitive listener and administrator preceded him.
He said he had to beg ignorance when other cardinals from outside the US had quizzed him about Prevost before the conclave.
“I said, ‘What about him, who is he?’ ” Dolan said.
“We never really considered him as a cardinal from the United States because he spent most of his life as a very effective missionary in Peru.”
Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, originally hails from suburban Chicago.
