Media learned unexpected details about the election of the new Pope

Cardinals initially did not consider American priest Robert Prevost as a favorite for the position of Pope. This was reported by Politico citing one of the participants of the 2025 conclave who wished to remain anonymous.

According to the publication, the main contenders were representatives of the "old guard" - experienced church diplomats, such as Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and the pontiff's special envoy to Ukraine Matteo Zuppi, both from Italy. Cardinals from Asia and Africa, whom Western observers called "exotic" candidates, also attracted certain attention.

Historian and Vatican expert Alexei Yudin previously noted that the vast majority of cardinals who participated in the voting were appointed by Pope Francis himself. Their number turned out to be record-breaking in the entire history of the conclave.

The new Pope Leo XIV replaced Francis (secular name - Jorge Mario Bergoglio), who died on April 21, 2025, after a prolonged illness at the age of 88. Francis had led the Catholic Church since 2013, after his predecessor Benedict XVI abdicated due to health reasons.