Inside the Vatican conclave battle to elect a more ‘traditional’ — but not necessarily conservative — pope

As cardinals flock to Rome for the papal conclave to decide the next pope, a movement is underway to bring in a successor who will be more traditional than Pope Francis.

A common belief among people of influence in the Vatican is that Francis, who died on Easter Monday, was beloved by the public — but a little too improvisational for the more buttoned-up leadership faction of the Catholic faith.

“They want calm and for the Vatican to cause as little heartburn as possible,” David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, told The Post.

“Pope Francis tended to cause heartburn. Many of the cardinals want someone who is less disruptive, more moderate, and will result in them having less

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