Hamilton, ON, May 7, 2025 – The process to elect a new pope has begun. 133 cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Megan Armstrong is a history professor who specializes in early modern Catholicism. She can talk about Conclave and the process of electing the next pope, the legacy of Pope Francis as well as the ever-changing role of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis leaves behind a Catholic institution that saw significant progressive changes during his tenure, but whether that continues remains to be seen, says a McMaster professor who specializes in early modern Catholicism.
“There’s almost a cyclical dimension to the culture of the church and you can read it through the popes that emerge,” says Megan Armstrong, a professor in the department of History.