VATICAN CITY – Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State, who was presiding over the conclave as the oldest cardinal bishop elector appointed and a bookie favourite to become the next pope, was being falsely reported to have fainted at the end of the General congregation by an American agency, which has been firmly denied by the Vatican. 

 The “news,” which was released on May 1 by the conservative US Catholic website, Catholicvote.org stated that Parolin “fainted at the end of the session” of the General Congregation of April 30 and referred to an alleged “episode of hypertension.” The message appeared to be an attempt to cast doubt over the physical fitness of the favourite to be elected as the new Pontiff, which pushed the Vatican press office to deny the news. Spokesman Matteo Bruni had but a minimal response to this stating simply, "no, it's not true," whilst also underlining that "there was no intervention by doctors and nurses."

 Thus, Italian Media has slammed this commentary as “fake news” that has been spread by the American Catholic right, due to the unpopularity of “moderate” Cardinal Parolin, who is considered too “progressive” and was also the protagonist of the improvement of relations between the Holy See and China. However, others have suggested it could have been organised by fans of Cardinal Becciu, who could not to participate in the conclave after Parolin himself took a stand to remove him, given the fact that he had been convicted of fraud and embezzlement by the Vatican court. 

 From Wednesday afternoon, the voting begins amongst the Cardinals.

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