this casts even further doubt on the catholic position about Peter being the first pope and the whole apostolic succession.
The Cardinals need to be listening to the Holy Spirit, but not many of them have been doing that for over 50 years now.
Every time a Conclave rolls around, much pious superstition is spouted about how the Holy Spirit is going to pick a new Pope.
The Catholic Church does NOT teach that the Pope is chosen by God. He is chosen by the College of Cardinals.
Prayers are offered by the Cardinals and by millions of people outside the Conclave for the selection of “the right man,” but there is NOTHING in the teaching of the Catholic Church that even suggests that the Cardinals’ choice is the subject of any special divine guidance or protection.
The Catholic Church’s teaching about the authority of the Pope has NOTHING to do with any beliefs about the selection process. It is all rooted ENTIRELY in the fact that the Pope is the Bishop of Rome.