Editor’s Note: Rumors are not news, but that there are rumors is news. These two rumors regard, (1) that Pope Francis is contemplating changing the rules for the next Conclave, and (2) that he is moving toward deciding to renounce the papal office and retire.

Regarding the first rumor, though it has a credible source, the rationale does not make sense: because the rumor states that Pope Francis is trying to block Cardinal Parolin from being elected and promote one of his own less popular candidates. And thus he is contemplating reducing the needed votes to be elected to 50% +1. However, this would only make the attempt of someone like Parolin, who, according to the same source as the rumor, has been lobbying intensely to garner the 91 votes necessary to be elected under the present rules, all the easier to win.  For that reason I discount this first rumor as diversionary. If Pope Francis did not want Parolin to succeed him, he could simply deprive him of this right of passive voice, that is, of his right to be elected.

However, if the rule was changed in this manner, it would be impossible for a minority to block a manifest heretic from being elected. So let us pray no change in rules is made, and that the current rule, modified by Pope Benedict XVI after his own election, remains in place, for this good reason.

Regarding the second rumor, this seems more probable, because Francis, the ever slick political operator, would likely think that if he resigns he can be present to lobby for the candidate he wants, whereas if he waits til death overtake him, he won’t be able to have that influence.