Part 3: The Schism That Never Was - The Hidden Divisions Within the Vatican’s Sacred Walls

As the world processes the death of Pope Francis, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the death of the pope may not just signal the end of an era it could be the precursor to the most profound schism in Church history.

In this third part of Dobblog’s ongoing investigation, we delve deeper into the fractured state of the Vatican and the subtle, yet significant, divisions that have been festering behind closed doors. These tensions, some say, go beyond the typical theological disagreements seen in past papacies; they hint at a battle for the soul of the Church itself.

According to sources close to the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis’ leadership was never fully embraced by all factions within the Vatican. Though Francis was lauded for his progressive stances on social justice, climate change, and the plight of the poor, not all cardinals shared his vision. In fact, a shadow faction a conservative group had been quietly working for years to undermine his influence, hoping to reclaim traditional values within the Church and restore the papacy’s historical power.

One source, a high-ranking Vatican official with intimate knowledge of the internal workings of the Holy See, spoke exclusively to Dobblog about what was described as a “cold war” between two powerful factions. On one side, the progressives those who supported Francis’ reforms, particularly his calls for a more open, inclusive Church. On the other, the traditionalists a group who believed that Francis’ progressive moves were threatening the core doctrines of the Church.

This ideological divide was most apparent during key moments of Francis’ papacy. His 2016 encyclical on climate change, Laudato si’, for example, was met with fierce resistance from many conservative bishops who saw the pope’s alignment with global environmental movements as an overreach of papal authority.

One unnamed cardinal revealed that, in the months leading up to Pope Francis’ death, his health was notably declining, and the internal tension surrounding his leadership reached a boiling point. “When the pope’s health began to fail, the conservatives saw it as an opportunity to act,” the cardinal explained. “They began making quiet moves secret discussions, quiet lobbying, and a desire to elect a pope who would restore the old guard.”

But even more troubling are rumors of a secret conclave, held by a faction of cardinals in a remote part of Europe just weeks before Pope Francis passed away. While no official records of such a conclave exist, sources suggest that this group met to discuss the future of the papacy and potential candidates for the next pope. This clandestine meeting, some say, was a direct response to the growing influence of progressive ideologies within the Vatican.

Also Read: Part 2: The Prophecy and the Sealed Scroll - Secrets of the Last Pope’s Final Warning

This schism, however, isn’t just about politics it’s about the future of the Church itself. The crux of the divide revolves around whether the papacy will continue as a spiritual institution or shift toward something more secular, focused on social issues like climate action and poverty eradication. Some insiders believe that the next papacy could radically redefine the role of the Church in a rapidly changing world.

What remains clear is that Pope Francis’ death has revealed fractures that many thought were healed. As the cardinals prepare to convene for the upcoming conclave, it is more uncertain than ever what direction the Vatican will take.

In the coming weeks, the Vatican will face a decision unlike any other in its history: whether to elect a new pope who can unite the Church’s divided factions, or to accept the possibility that the future of the papacy and the Catholic Church may be forever altered.

Read Part 4 on Dobblog:

In Part 4: A Vatican on the Brink The Political Power Plays That Could Shape the Next Pope, we’ll explore the potential candidates for the papacy, and the shadowy political maneuvering already underway in the aftermath of Pope Francis’ death. Click Here To Read Part 4