Re is 91 years old, which makes him too old to participate in the conclave of 133 cardinals who are electing the next pope and who all have to be under 80.
However, he has been prominent and delivered a Mass on Wednesday before the cardinals began their conclave.
As the Mass ended, he was caught on a hot mic saying to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, viewed as a favourite for the papacy: “auguri doppi” (“double best wishes”).
Italians discussed whether this was a customary gesture acknowledging Parolin’s role as the most senior cardinal present in the conclave, or if it might have been an informal endorsement of Parolin’s candidacy for the papacy. (AP) NPK NPK