Journalist Mikael Corre publishes an investigative story about the election of a pope, analyzing power struggles within the Vatican.
Amid shifting global dynamics and increasing tensions, journalist Mikael Corre, a correspondent for La Croix newspaper in the Vatican, offers a compelling behind-the-scenes look at ecclesiastical power in his new book, “Geopolitics of a Conclave: Choosing a Pope as Empires Rise Again.” Expected in bookstores on April 15, 2026, published by Bayard Editions, this book blends storytelling, geopolitical analysis, and social sciences to decode the power dynamics within the world’s smallest state.
A Premise of Political Fiction
The book begins with a bold fiction rooted in contemporary realities. On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passes away, leading to an eighteen-day power vacuum. On May 8, after a widely watched conclave, a new pope is elected: Leon XIV, notably the first American pontiff. This narrative choice serves as a lens to examine the Catholic Church’s position in a world characterized by power struggles, imperial ambitions, and politicization of religion by far-right movements.
The Vatican as a Mirror of Global Tensions
Beyond a mere narrative, “Geopolitics of a Conclave” delves deep into Vatican’s political mechanics during those eighteen days of vacancy, revealing its internal fractures, ambitions, and complex relationships with the world. Corre keenly decrypts the total political scene playing out in the Sistine Chapel, where not only personalities clash but also worldviews, power dynamics, and diplomatic strategies.
An Analysis at the Intersection of Genres
Drawing on his experience as a correspondent in Rome since 2024, Mikael Corre leverages a keen understanding of the Vatican’s actors and intricacies. His style, described as lively, pays attention to details, gestures, and silences that often convey more than official speeches. The book offers a multi-layered reading experience, blending rigorous analysis with the captivating narrative flow.
Mikael Corre, known for his immersive works, including “The Central” (Bayard, 2023), shows his ability to dissect institutions and reveal what their internal workings disclose about our era. This upcoming book is poised to be an essential contribution to understanding the forces driving one of the oldest and most influential institutions in the world.
“Geopolitics of a Conclave: Choosing a Pope as Empires Rise Again” by Mikael Corre, Bayard Narratives collection, will be released on April 15, 2026 (256 pages, $20.50).
