In particular, Francis was accused in a complaint filed three days before the 2005 conclave of complicity in the 1976 kidnapping of two liberal Jesuit priests, Allen writes.

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Although he reportedly came second to Pope Benedict XVI during the 2005 conclave, few had predicted the election of the first pope from outside Europe in 1, 300 years.

BBC: Francis celebrates Sistine Chapel Mass with cardinals

While Cardinal Bergoglio hadn't been named among the favorites ahead of the conclave, he was an early favorite in voting during the 2005 conclave that elected Benedict XVI, said one cardinal who had been present then.

WSJ: Argentina's Cardinal Bergoglio Elected Pope

Weeks later a conclave of cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel, electing him pope on April 19, 2005.

WSJ: Pope Defended Church Teachings

That the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was second only to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in the 2005 conclave that elected Ratzinger pope has only added to the popular imagination about how these two popes of such different style, background and priorities might get along.

WSJ: Pope Francis Meets With Benedict