Journalist Mikael Corre Publishes Investigative Story on Papal Election

In a time when global balances are shifting in a climate of increasing tensions, journalist Mikael Corre, a correspondent for La Croix newspaper in Vatican City, offers a compelling look behind the scenes of ecclesiastical power in his new book, “Geopolitics of a Conclave: Choosing a Pope as Empires Return”. Set to be released on April 15, 2026 by Bayard editions, this book combines storytelling, geopolitical analysis, and social sciences to decode the power dynamics within the world’s smallest state.

A Political Fiction Premise

The book’s premise starts with a bold fiction grounded in contemporary realities. On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passes away, leading to an eighteen-day period of vacancy. On May 8, after a conclave closely watched by the world, a new pope is elected: Leon XIV. Central to Mikael Corre’s analysis is his American nationality.

This narrative choice is significant. The author uses it as a lens to examine the position of the Catholic Church in an international arena marked by power struggles, imperial logics, and political instrumentalization of religion, particularly by extreme right movements. How to embody Rome’s moral and spiritual authority in the face of “trumpism” and other forms of nationalism reshaping alliances and rhetoric? This is the central question tackled in the book, avoiding caricature or facile prophecies.

Vatican as a Mirror of Global Tensions

Beyond a mere story, “Geopolitics of a Conclave” aims to provide a deep analysis of Vatican’s political dynamics. During those eighteen days of vacancy, the institution is laid bare, revealing its fractures, ambitions, and complex relationship with the world. Mikael Corre keenly deciphers what unfolds behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel: a total political scene where personalities, worldviews, power concepts, and diplomatic strategies clash.

The author illustrates how the fundamental issues within the Church – its social role, dialogue with other cultures, doctrine – are intimately linked to global geopolitical stakes. Choosing a pope is never merely a spiritual matter; it’s a major political act with far-reaching consequences beyond Vatican’s borders.

An Analysis at the Intersection of Genres

With his experience as a correspondent in Rome since 2024, Mikael Corre leverages a deep understanding of the actors and mechanisms in the Roman Curia. Described as “engaging,” his style pays close attention to details, gestures, and silences that often speak more than official speeches. The book offers a multi-layered reading, blending analytical rigor with captivating storytelling.

This isn’t Corre’s first immersive work. He previously authored “Central” (Bayard, 2023), an investigation into a police station, later adapted into a graphic novel titled “Anatomy of a Police Station” (Bayard, 2024). With this new essay, he showcases his talent for dissecting institutions and revealing what their internal workings say about our era. The book is poised to be an essential contribution to understanding the forces driving one of the world’s oldest and most influential institutions.

“Geopolitics of a Conclave: Choosing a Pope as Empires Return” by Mikael Corre, Bayard Narratives collection, will be available on April 15, 2026 (256 pages, 20.50 euros).