Details of the conclave that elected León XIV: Dolan, Parolin, and Trump's influence

In the context of the election of the new Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, 75 years old and originally from the United States, emerges as a key figure in the recent papal dispute that resulted in the appointment of Robert Prevost.

Although Dolan, one of the potential candidates for the papacy, did not manage to be elected, his role as a "kingmaker" in this conclave was decisive. This election was marked not only by internal alliances within the Vatican but also by the support of figures like the U.S. President Donald Trump, who was a strong advocate for Dolan.

The conclave, which initially seemed to lean in favor of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, took an unexpected turn when Dolan, one of the main figures of the conservative wing but without enough support to win, began to support Cardinal Robert Prevost, according to several Italian media outlets.

This change was crucial, as with his support, Prevost managed to consolidate a coalition that not only allowed him to match Parolin in the second or third round of voting but also gave him the strength needed to secure the victory.

The internal division of the progressive wing of the conclave, which was betting on Parolin, Avelin, Grech, and Tagle, was also a determining factor. While some like Pizzaballa failed to manage their support effectively, Prevost remained on the sidelines, adopting a discreet but strategic stance.

His lack of prominence in the early stages of the process allowed him, however, to gain strength in the pre-conclave negotiations. His missionary profile and his relationship with Dolan positioned him as a solid option not only for North America but also for South America, a continent where he managed to gather significant support.

The key to securing the victory was undoubtedly the maneuver during a vote in which Parolin, already matched by Prevost, decided to withdraw and support the American cardinal. This support added to the votes that Prevost had already secured and allowed him to reach the key figure of 100 votes in the fourth vote, giving him a smooth victory.

To put this in perspective, Prevost obtained at least 15 more votes than Pope Francis, 16 more than Benedict XVI, and one more vote than John Paul II, although it should be noted that these previous conclaves had a much smaller number of cardinals.

This way, Cardinal Dolan, a close friend of President Donald Trump from his time as a New York magnate, managed to mobilize a key support network that helped consolidate Prevost's leadership, whose name reportedly emerged from a meeting that JD Vance had when he visited Pope Francis himself days before his death.

Pope Francis reportedly mentioned Prevost's name as one of the papabili to Vance, who, like the elected Holy Father, is also a member of the Order of St. Augustine in the United States, and the conversation took on a more political tone.

Vance returned to Washington with Prevost's name and, through a conversation with Trump, they told Dolan that if he could, he should try to get behind him in the conclave if Parolin did not gather enough support in the first round.

While Prevost is more progressive and has had tough clashes with Vance in the past, the now Pope Leo XIV is significantly more conservative and traditionalist than the line of Francis that Parolin, or worse, a Tagle, would have continued.