1F

Any initial thoughts why Cardinal Gallo would leave Rome and head to Malta a day before the conclave started?

I think Cardinal Gallo came back to Malta because he needed to devise a plan to take back to Rome in order to become pope.

I have no clue. I feel like the Catholic Church was scrambling at that time to avoid their own backlash for their support of Hitler. They also helped high level German officers to escape. Power was up for grabs, as well.

I agree with >3 Olivermagnus:...but >2 EadieB: is also right he wanted to become Pope.

I can’t see why Gallo wouldn’t be in Rome drumming up support if it’d been his intention to ‘fill the vacancy’. Would he stand a chance if he was out of favour, anyway?
Some plot must be afoot. But, at present, I can’t imagine what.

Agree with >2 EadieB: >3 Olivermagnus: >4 Carol420: he wanted to be pope and >5 Sergeirocks: is on target some plot is afoot to achieve his goal in Malta but, he also needs to be back in Rome at the conclave.

Yes, agree with you all. He must have come to Malta in order to obtain some sort of leverage to use against other Cardinals so he could become the new Pope. No idea what this might be…

Clearly came to Malta to help or meet someone in some devious plan that would help him become Pope.

Yes - agree with the comments: he went to Malta for some way to gain the Papacy.