Just hours after Pope Francis' death was announced, conservatives are rallying behind Cardinal Robert Sarah — a traditionalist and frequent critic of Francis — as their preferred choice to lead the Catholic Church, calling for an "anti-woke" pope.
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for over a decade and was known for his progressive stance on issues such as climate change, immigration and LGBTQ+ inclusion, passed away at the age of 88. Though widely admired globally, his reforms — including loosening restrictions on same-sex blessings and reshaping liturgical practices — sparked backlash from conservative members of the church.
