As the world prepares for a pivotal vote to select the next head of the Catholic Church, German Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller has stirred fresh controversy by warning against what he calls “ideological lobbies”, including the so-called “gay lobby”, urging the Church to return to its doctrinal roots.
In an interview with La Stampa, a leading Italian newspaper, Cardinal Müller called for the election of a Pope who would uphold traditional Catholic teachings and resist what he described as “heresy” and “gender ideology.”
“Doctrine is not the property of the Pope, the bishops, or the faithful. It must conform to the word of Jesus,” Müller said. “No one can modify it. If Jesus says marriage is between a man and a woman, no one can change that doctrine.”
The cardinal, known for his conservative theological views and criticism of the late Pope Francis, condemned efforts to equate same-sex unions with marriage, claiming such proposals are in direct contradiction with Biblical doctrine.
Müller’s warning comes as cardinals from across the globe gather in Rome for closed-door discussions ahead of the papal conclave, now officially scheduled to begin on May 7. The conclave follows the death of Pope Francis, who passed away last week at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke and heart failure.
While no frontrunner has emerged, the ideological divide between reformist and conservative camps is already shaping the high-stakes decision, with Müller’s remarks seen as an attempt to galvanize traditionalist factions within the Church.
Cardinal Müller’s comments have reignited debate among Catholics worldwide, especially over LGBTQ+ inclusion, clerical celibacy, and the role of women in the Church all issues Pope Francis had opened up to discussion in recent years.
With the Vatican now entering a critical period of transition, the outcome of the May 7 conclave could define the future trajectory of Catholic doctrine and global influence for years to come.
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