The favored candidate going in was Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, an acolyte of former Pope Francis. Despite rallying votes before the conclave, he failed to gather critical support from the Asian and African cardinals.

Parolin was also weakened by his role in crafting a provisional deal between the Vatican and China. The specific terms of the deal, which were first agreed to in September 2018 and then renewed in October 2020 and October 2022, remain a secret.

The deal aimed to quash the primary source of contention, the appointment of bishops, which is a modern-day form of the Medieval Investiture controversy. The 2018 deal was secretive but involved a joint Beijing-Rome commission to appoint bishops, a provision violated by China in November 2022. Many Catholics, including those in the underground Chinese Church, were highly critical of the deal, which they viewed as selling out the faithful to Beijing.

Il Giornale, citing observers, said Dolan was decisive in rallying voters from North and South America, along with those in former territories of the British Empire — including India, South Africa, and Pacific possessions like Tonga. He argued that the now-pope would be the best fit for the missionary aim of the Catholic Church, while keeping his roots in the world’s largest superpower.

Dolan also allegedly argued that Leo XIV’s roots as a man of many cultures, coming from French, Italian, and Spanish origins, would help to unite the Church.

The article also noted Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem was rejected for being viewed as too political, due to controversies in the Holy Land.

Dolan, known for his social media presence, celebrated the results of the conclave in a post on X, hinting at his role in the election.

“I’m just so honored as a priest, as well as a disciple of Jesus Christ, as a child of God, as a faithful Catholic, I hope, as a priest, Bishop, and Cardinal, to have been a big part of it. And I think you’re all excited too,” he said.

Dolan relayed a conversation he had with his nephew, who said he was glad Dolan wasn’t crowned pope so the family could continue to see him.

“I’m kind of glad for the church that I’m not Pope either, but it’s a great moment of exhilaration and hope and promise for the church,” he quipped.

TRUMP LIKES CARDINAL DOLAN FOR POPE, BUT AN AMERICAN PONTIFF SEEMS A NON-STARTER

After joking that he would like to be pope, Trump revealed that Dolan was his preference for pope when asked by reporters before the conclave.

“No, I don’t know, I have no preference,” Trump said, though noted, “I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.”