Journalist Mikael Corre publishes an investigative account of the election of a pope, analyzing power struggles within the Vatican.
Amidst the shifting global balances and increasing tensions, journalist Mikael Corre, a correspondent for the daily La Croix at the Vatican, offers a striking insight into the backstage of ecclesiastical power with his new book, “Geopolitics of a Conclave: Choosing a Pope as Empires Rise Again.” Set to be released on April 15, 2026, by Bayard editions, this book combines storytelling, geopolitical analysis, and social sciences to decode the power dynamics within the world’s smallest state.
A Political Fiction Premise
The book begins with a bold but realistic fiction. On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passes away, leading to an eighteen-day vacancy of power. On May 8, after a conclave observed worldwide, a new pontiff is elected: Leon XIV, uniquely American. This narrative choice is deliberate, used by the author as a lens to examine the Catholic Church’s position in an international arena marked by power discourses, imperial logics, and political instrumentalization of religion, particularly by far-right movements.
The Vatican as a Mirror of Global Tensions
Beyond a mere narrative, “Geopolitics of a Conclave” aims to be a profound analysis of the Vatican’s political mechanisms. During these eighteen days of a vacant see, the institution is laid bare, revealing its fractures, ambitions, and complex relationship with the world. Corre keenly deciphers the political scene behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, where not only personalities but worldviews, power concepts, and diplomatic strategies clash.
An Analysis at the Intersection of Genres
Drawing on his experience as a correspondent in Rome since 2024, Mikael Corre leverages a deep understanding of the actors and workings of the Roman Curia. His style, described as lively, focuses on details, gestures, and silences that often convey more than official speeches. This book offers a multilayered reading, blending analytical rigor with the captivating storytelling.
With this new essay, Corre reaffirms his talent for scrutinizing institutions and revealing what their internal functioning reveals about our era. The book is poised to be an essential contribution to understanding the forces driving one of the oldest and most influential institutions in the world.
“Geopolitics of a Conclave: Choosing a Pope as Empires Rise Again” by Mikael Corre, Bayard Narratives collection, will be released on April 15, 2026 (256 pages, 20.50 euros).
