Italy’s conservative press launched a media offensive against Emmanuel Macron over the May 1 weekend, accusing him of maneuvering behind the scenes to favor the election of Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseilles as Pope Francis’ successor. In any case, the conservative media are alarmed at possible French interference in the papal election.
Vatican diplomacy under high tension
According to thesocialpost.it, the presidential trip to Rome on April 26 for Pope Francis’ funeral was the cover for a veritable “diplomatic marathon”. Il Giornale d’Italia claims that Emmanuel Macron summoned four of the five French cardinal electors for a luncheon described as a “strategic meeting” rather than a simple protocol meeting. The alleged aim: to promote the candidacy of Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, who is considered a papabile.
A candidate with progressive views
The transalpine media emphasize the ideological orientation behind this presidential choice. Cardinal Aveline, who comes from a family of pieds-noirs exiled in 1962, is known for his open positions on migration issues, inter-religious dialogue, particularly with Islam, and an inclusive approach to the LGBTQ+ community. This maneuver would be aimed in particular at thwarting the candidacy of conservative Cardinal Robert Sarah, a favorite of traditionalist circles.
French ambitions could backfire
According to Il Libero, the French president has already suggested a pontifical name for Aveline: Jean XXIV. However, many observers believe that this interference could have the opposite effect to that intended, as the cardinal electors are generally resistant to any external pressure on the Conclave.
A soft power challenge for Meloni’s Italy
“A French pope would represent an immense diplomatic success for France, historically defined as the ‘eldest daughter of the Church’”, analyzes the daily Libero. This strategy would also avoid the election of an Italian pontiff like Bologna Archbishop Matteo Maria Zuppi or Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, which would strengthen Giorgia Meloni’s European influence.
A departure from French secularism?
The Italian press is quick to point out the paradox of such presidential involvement in Vatican affairs, highlighting “the complex relationship between politics and religion” in a country that “proudly proclaims itself to be secular”. Il Giornale d’Italia concludes with a word of advice to the French president: “Don’t look for a place in the sacristy”.
Who is Cardinal Aveline?
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline is a leading figure in the Catholic Church in France, renowned for his commitment to inter-religious dialogue and social justice.
Born on December 26, 1958 in Sidi Bel Abbès, in what was then French Algeria, he left the country with his family at independence in 1962, settling in Marseille where he grew up.
Ecclesiastical career
Ordained a priest in 1984 for the diocese of Marseille, Jean-Marc Aveline quickly became involved in theological training. In 1992, he founded the Institut de sciences et de théologie des religions (ISTR) in Marseille, which he directed until 2002. In 2007, he was appointed vicar general of the diocese. On December 19, 2013, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Marseille and consecrated on January 26, 2014. On August 8, 2019, he became Metropolitan Archbishop of Marseille.
The cardinal’s purple
On August 27, 2022, Pope Francis created him a cardinal, awarding him the title of Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria dei Monti . He is a member of several important Vatican bodies, including the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Dicastery for Bishops.
Commitments and influence
Cardinal Aveline is renowned for his nuanced approach to migration issues and his commitment to interfaith dialogue. In particular, he played a key role in Pope Francis’ visit to Marseille in 2023, emphasizing the importance of the Mediterranean as a place of encounter and solidarity.
In 2025, he is considered one of the “papabili”, i.e. cardinals likely to be elected pope, due to his ideological proximity to Pope Francis and his intellectual and pastoral profile.
To find out more about Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, see his full biography on the Marseille diocese website.
