Cardinal Zuppi, the TikTok Candidate

@fclubedocardial.m #CapCut #matteozuppi #cardial #igrejacatolica #zuppi #papa #foryoupage ♬ original sound - 📌Soffia ౨ৎ

 Papal Election in the Age of Social Media

When it comes to guessing who the Pope is, the name Matteo Zuppi often comes up among Italians. This might have something to do with TikTok. The eighth "smoke signal" from Rome.

I.

"Who do you think will be the next Pope?" I've just picked out a new suit, and the saleswoman is adjusting my trouser legs to the right length with a few pins. I shrug. "I would like Cardinal Zuppi to be elected," says the saleswoman. The suit is really nice. A dark blue double-breasted suit. "It would finally be a Roman Pope again," the friendly lady continues, adding that she's heard so much about Zuppi on social media, as have many of her friends.

Will he be the next Pope?

II.

A group of Americans is sitting at the next table in the restaurant. They ask the waitress for their Pope's recommendation. She replies: Zuppi, too.

III.

A few days later, I read on "X": "A fan account of Cardinal Zuppi, which combines footage of the cardinal with music by Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, has received millions of views on TikTok from thousands of young female followers in the past week." I check TikTok. It's true.

IV.

Matteo Zuppi belongs to the Community of Sant'Egidio and has known its founder, Andrea Riccardi, since 1968. Zuppi was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Rome by Benedict XVI in 2012. In 2015, Francis made him Archbishop of Bologna and a cardinal in 2019. He has been President of the Italian Bishops' Conference since 2022.

V.

I imagine that the cardinals, who are not yet cut off from the outside world, will hear the name of the Cardinal Archbishop of Bologna more often in restaurants, shops, or taxis. Vox populi, vox Dei?

VI.

Papal election in the age of social media: He fully expects selfies from the conclave, says a friend with a penchant for cultural pessimism, whom I meet by chance on the street one evening.

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