As cardinals prepare for the conclave to elect a new pope, the slogan of 'unity' has emerged as a divisive issue, particularly among conservatives who view it as a means to roll back Pope Francis' inclusive reforms. The ideological divide centers on whether to continue Francis' progressive policies, such as ordaining women as deacons and allowing married men to become priests, or to prioritize unity, which conservatives argue should be the church's focus. Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller and other conservative cardinals advocate for unity as a way to preserve church traditions, while progressives like Cardinal Michael Czerny emphasize diversity and worry about a regression to introversion. During Francis' pontificate, unity was also a key theme, but he approached it differently, recognizing cultural diversity within a united church, which sometimes led to controversial decisions like promoting priestly blessings for same-sex couples. As the conclave approaches, the debate over unity versus diversity continues, with cardinals like Claudio Gugerotti acknowledging the importance of unity but also the necessity for diverse perspectives within the church's teachings.

The debate over unity versus diversity is central to the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope, with conservatives viewing unity as a way to reverse Pope Francis' progressive reforms, while progressives see it as a potential threat to inclusivity.

Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, a prominent conservative, argues for church unification to address divisions, while Cardinal Michael Czerny, a close adviser to Francis, warns that prioritizing unity could lead to regressive policies.

Pope Francis' tenure involved balancing unity with diversity, empowering local churches and making controversial decisions like promoting blessings for same-sex couples, which sparked both applause and dissent within the church.

Francis' approach to unity involved recognizing cultural diversity, as seen in his decision to allow dissenting African church leaders to opt out of same-sex blessing policies, which was viewed as a revolutionary gesture by some.

The ideological divide among cardinals includes differing views on issues like ordaining women as deacons and allowing married men to become priests, with conservatives emphasizing doctrinal preservation and progressives focusing on inclusivity.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, a critic of Francis, argues that introducing changes to church traditions could undermine unity, while Francis' suppression of the Latin Mass was seen as a move to prevent ideological divisions.

In the lead-up to the conclave, cardinals like Claudio Gugerotti stress the importance of unity but also recognize the value of diverse perspectives, indicating a complex interplay between maintaining tradition and embracing change.