The death of Pope Francis has not only cast a long shadow over the global Catholic community, but it has also initiated one of the most sacred and secretive rites of the Church: the election of a new pope. As the Church enters a period of mourning and preparation, speculation intensifies over who the next Bishop of Rome might be — a decision that could shape the Church’s direction for decades to come.
The process, known as the conclave, is rooted in centuries of tradition and secrecy. Locked within the Sistine Chapel under oath-bound silence, the College of Cardinals — all under the age of 80 — will vote in successive rounds until one man emerges with a two-thirds majority and accepts the call: “Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?”
The path to this moment is paved with theology, politics, geopolitics, and faith. The next pontiff will not only lead 1.3 billion Catholics but also inherit a fractured world, a polarised Church, and an urgent list of challenges: the decline of church attendance in the West, ongoing abuse scandals, interreligious tensions, and the need for ecological and social justice reform.
Here are some of the most prominent contenders for the papacy, each offering a unique vision of the Church’s future.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy)
Age: 69
Current Role: Archbishop of Bologna
Profile: Peacemaker, Francis-aligned, centrist pastoral leader
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is viewed by many Vatican observers as a spiritual and ideological heir to Pope Francis. Known for his deep pastoral sensitivity and commitment to peace-building, Zuppi has worked closely with the Community of Sant’Egidio, a lay Catholic organisation that has mediated conflicts in Africa, including in Mozambique and South Sudan.
More recently, Zuppi was tapped by Francis as his envoy to Ukraine and Russia, highlighting both his diplomatic credentials and the trust placed in him by the late pope. He is widely respected within the Italian episcopate, though some argue he is a relative newcomer to the Vatican’s inner workings.
Zuppi blends a social conscience with doctrinal moderation. He embodies a Church open to dialogue, attentive to the poor, and unafraid to engage global crises — a vision aligned with Francis but grounded in an Italian context.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy)
Age: 70
Current Role: Vatican Secretary of State
Profile: Diplomat, institutionalist, centrist
As the Church’s top diplomat since 2013, Cardinal Pietro Parolin is the consummate insider — a steady, pragmatic leader well-versed in Vatican affairs. He is known for his administrative competence and global perspective, having served in various nunciatures before ascending to the Secretariat of State.
Parolin’s strengths, however, are also liabilities. Critics point to his role in the controversial Vatican-China agreement on the appointment of bishops, which some Catholics — particularly in the Chinese underground Church — viewed as a betrayal. While he maintains support within sections of the Curia, his association with such diplomacy may prove divisive.
Nonetheless, Parolin represents continuity and stability. He could be seen as a papal figure capable of reasserting institutional discipline while preserving the pastoral tone set by Francis.
Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana)
Age: 76
Profile: Global justice advocate, symbol of the Global South, respected but controversial
Cardinal Peter Turkson remains one of the most prominent African voices in the Church and a potential historic pick. A long-time advocate for social justice, Turkson led the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and has been closely associated with Francis’ agenda on poverty, climate, and human dignity.
His election would signal a major shift — the first African pope in modern history — and reflect the Church’s growing centre of gravity in the Global South. However, his past remains a hurdle: controversial remarks on clerical abuse in Africa and an incident involving an anti-Islam video drew criticism and raised concerns about his judgment.
Though now somewhat removed from the Roman inner circle, Turkson’s international stature and symbolic resonance make him a serious — if not front-running — contender in a conclave where geography, legacy, and reform are all in play.
Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary)
Age: 72
Current Role: Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
Profile: Conservative scholar, canon law expert, culturally European
Cardinal Péter Erdő is a theologian and canon lawyer of formidable intellect and discipline. A favourite among conservative factions within the College of Cardinals, Erdő is regarded as someone who would steer the Church away from Francis-era liberalisation and back toward doctrinal orthodoxy.
Erdő’s views on issues like family, marriage, and migration reflect a more traditional, Eurocentric worldview. He is sceptical of rapid sociocultural integration, especially concerning migrants, and favours a robust, theologically coherent response to secularism.
While he lacks the media-friendly charisma of some candidates, Erdő could appeal to cardinals who believe the Church needs to reassert its authority and doctrinal clarity in the face of modernity’s moral ambiguities.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle (Philippines)
Age: 67
Current Role: Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization
Profile: Charismatic, pastoral, Francis-aligned
Often described as “the Asian Pope Francis,” Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is among the most beloved figures in the global Church. Warm, eloquent, and steeped in theological insight, Tagle brings a distinctly global — and notably Asian — perspective to the leadership of Catholicism.
A strong advocate for the poor and marginalised, Tagle has worked on issues ranging from economic injustice to disaster relief in his native Philippines. He previously led Caritas Internationalis, although his leadership came under scrutiny after Francis removed its top management due to concerns over internal governance.
Despite the setback, Tagle was later appointed to one of the Church’s most powerful departments, where he has overseen missionary and evangelisation efforts. His global stature, intercultural fluency, and theological depth make him a strong contender, especially for cardinals seeking a pontiff from the Global South.
Other Contenders Worth Watching
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy/Jerusalem)
Age: 60
Role: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Pizzaballa has shown resilience in navigating one of the most politically volatile dioceses in the world. His experience in the Middle East and sensitivity to interfaith relations may make him appealing amid global religious tensions.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (Sri Lanka)
Age: 77
Role: Archbishop of Colombo
A conservative voice in Asian Catholicism, Ranjith is known for his outspoken views on liturgical reform and globalism. Age may work against him, but his presence is significant among older cardinals.
Cardinal Mario Grech (Malta)
Age: 67
Role: Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops
Grech has been central to Francis’ synodal vision for the Church — a more listening, decentralised institution. His role in the recent Synod on Synodality places him at the heart of Francis’ ecclesiology.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar)
Age: 75
Role: Archbishop of Yangon
Bo has been an advocate for religious freedom and human rights in Myanmar. His voice carries weight in Asia and among cardinals concerned with global persecution of Christians.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn (Austria)
Age: 80
Role: Archbishop of Vienna
An intellectual with deep theological roots, Schönborn is respected across the ideological spectrum. However, his age likely precludes serious consideration — unless the conclave leans toward a short transitional papacy.
Cardinal Gérald Lacroix (Canada)
Age: 67
Role: Archbishop of Quebec
Lacroix is a pastoral leader with a reputation for humility and missionary zeal. Seen as a moderate and bridge-builder, he is admired but perhaps viewed as lacking the international stature the moment may demand.
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The cardinals dressed in red vestments, standing in front of the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in the solemn mass ”pro eligendo pontifice”, which opens the rites of the conclave for the election of John Paul II’s successor on April 18, 2005. | ANSA
What to Expect from the Conclave
The cardinals will gather in Rome in the coming weeks for what is expected to be a highly consequential conclave. Francis appointed a significant portion of the electors, many of whom share his pastoral and social priorities. However, conclaves are notoriously unpredictable — as history has shown, the Holy Spirit, not betting odds, determines the outcome.
At stake is not only the governance of the Catholic Church but the tone, priorities, and public voice of one of the world’s most enduring institutions. Whether the next pope continues Francis’ legacy or charts a new path entirely, the decision will reverberate far beyond St. Peter’s Basilica.
As the world watches, the Sistine Chapel will once again become the stage where ancient ritual meets global consequence. And in the silence of prayer and discernment, the next leader of 1.3 billion Catholics will be chosen.
