by Norman Barry

Following the death of (St) Pope John Paul II in 2006 a conclave of cardinals under 80 years of age was called. Conclaves are subject to the deepest secrecy. Nevertheless, it has eventually emerged that, after several days of voting, there was a tie between Joseph Ratzinger and Jorge Bergoglio. At this point apparently Bergoglio said he didn’t want to be Pope. The field was then left to Ratzinger who was duly elected.