In the Battle for Next Pope, Cardinal Erdö Emerges as a Conservative Favorite

The incident where Cardinal Peter Erdo, Hungary’s archbishop, both opposed and later aligned with Pope Francis’ compassion toward refugees highlights his dual role in balancing papal gestures with conservative principles. Initially opposing Francis for shutting church doors as a human smuggler, Erdo later reversed his stance after meeting the Pope, aligning with conservatives wary of Francis’ emotional focus at the expense of rules. This shift underscores internal divisions within the Catholic Church, resonating differently among liberals and conservatives regarding papal empathy versus conservative messaging against populist leaders like Viktor Orban.