OREANDA-NEWS The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, is seeking to exert influence on the selection of the next Pope. This information has been reported by the newspaper Le Monde, citing sources within the Vatican.

According to the sources, Macron has held several meetings with representatives of the Sant'Egidio Catholic Association, which is actively promoting Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi as a candidate for the papacy.

In a lighthearted remark, US President Donald Trump had previously expressed his willingness to become the next Pope.