Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s chief diplomat and current front-runner to become the next pope, is coming under renewed scrutiny. His 2018 deal with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)—which granted Beijing control over Catholic bishop appointments—is causing alarm just as the closed-door papal conclave gets underway.
The agreement, initially celebrated as a pragmatic move, is now polarizing the Catholic faithful. Critics say it traded off fundamental Church principles for diplomatic advantage. Parolin’s reputation, hitherto underpinned by silent diplomacy, is now subject to a religious debate worldwide.
Architect of a Historic but Controversial Pact
In his 12 years as the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin conducted principal negotiations on behalf of the Church. His largest diplomatic gamble was in 2018, when he brokered an agreement with Beijing. The agreement sought to reunify China’s underground Catholic Church, loyal to the Pope, with the state-run church that reports to the CCP.
But the deal granted China partial control over bishop appointments. That upset many devout believers. Though the Vatican hoped for eventual unity, Chinese Catholics felt betrayed. Some interpreted the agreement as a diplomatic blunder. Others described it as a blow to decades of enduring Communist oppression.
Backlash from the Faithful
The criticism has been vociferous. Senior Catholic journalist John Allen Jr. contended the pact undermined the sacrifices of generations. “Some of them see this agreement as a betrayal,” he asserted. Those jailed, tortured, and harassed for opposing Communist domination now see the agreement as erasing their resistance.
Parolin, for all his low-key style, cannot avoid these charges. As the conclave begins behind closed doors, some cardinals might consider this bargain heavily when they vote.
Why Parolin Still Holds the Edge ?
At 70, Cardinal Pietro Parolin brings unparalleled experience to the conclave. He is a familiar face to all 133 cardinal electors. His calm, pragmatic demeanor kept diplomatic fires in check during Pope Francis’s mercurial moments. From deeply Catholic northern Italy, he is both a Church insider and world negotiator.
While never ideologically inflexible, Parolin has shown a realpolitik sensibility. That same ability is now contentious: Is he a reliable hand for troubled times—or a trader in moral clarity?
Vatican Strategy to Watch
Apart from the conclave, the revival of the China deal underlines a change in the way the Vatican weighs religion against diplomacy. Parolin’s candidacy makes the Church ponder difficult questions: Should geopolitical calculation precede doctrinal rigidity? How can the Vatican deal with authoritarian regimes without compromising its credibility?
The next few days will determine not only the next pope, but also the type of Catholic Church that will come out to meet a troubled world.
