After the Death of Pope Francis: Cardinals from 65 Countries Elect New Pontiff

The voting cardinals come from 65 nations and five continents. The structure of the College of Cardinals reflects Francis' vision of a global church that is increasingly less Eurocentric and Western-oriented. During his pontificate, Pope Francis appointed 163 cardinals, 133 of whom were eligible to vote at the time of their appointment.

23 Cardinals for Pope Election Were Appointed by Benedict XVI

The quota of 135 electors far exceeds the maximum limit of 120 set by Paul VI in the apostolic constitution Romano Pontifici Eligendo (October 1, 1975) and confirmed by John Paul II in Universi Dominici Gregis (February 22, 1996). 23 of the current papal electors were appointed by Benedict XVI and only five by Pope John Paul II. With the appointment of new cardinals, Francis has achieved a reduction in the influence of European cardinals. Only 59 papal electors come from Europe, 19 of whom are Italians. Among them are some favorites for the papal election, including the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. This makes Italy the country with the most representatives in the conclave that must determine the name of Francis' successor. 37 cardinals come from America (16 from North America, four from Central America, 17 from South America), 20 from Asia, 16 from Africa, and three from Australia.

Representatives from 34 Different Orders Elect New Pope

Representatives from 34 different orders will be present at the conclave. The papal electors include five Salesians, four Jesuits, the order of Pope Francis, one Capuchin, four Franciscans, three Conventual Franciscans, two Dominicans, two Vincentians, and two Redemptorists. The youngest papal elector in the conclave will be the Ukrainian Mykola Byčok, who will turn 45 on February 13. The oldest will be the Spaniard Carlos Osoro Sierra, who will turn 79 on May 16, followed by the Guinean Robert Sarah.

Many cardinals do not know each other or have only met a few times, so it will not be easy to forge alliances. According to insiders, the conservative wing in the Vatican, which critically observed many of Francis' reforms, is rallying around the Hungarian Peter Erdö, who was appointed cardinal by John Paul II. The Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and Primate of Hungary is considered a conservative churchman among the cardinals regarded as "papabili." The 72-year-old is particularly known for his traditional stance on many church issues and had a good relationship with Francis' predecessor Benedict XVI. Erdö, however, observed Francis' reform efforts somewhat critically. Among the conservatives in the College of Cardinals, a departure from Francis' more progressive course is expected.

The proponents of a European Pope in response to the global course of the Argentine Francis are considering the Bishop of Stockholm, Anders Arborelius, who comes from a Lutheran community and converted to Catholicism at the age of 20. More progressive is the Archbishop of Marseilles, Jean-Marc Aveline. At 66, he would be a relatively young Pope. Aveline was born in Algeria at Christmas 1958, which was still part of France at the time. He grew up in the suburbs of Marseille. Aveline is considered to be close to the people - one of the traits he shares with the late Pope.

New Pope Could Come from Africa for the First Time

For some time now, there has been speculation that a Pope could soon come from Africa. The name most frequently heard is that of the Archbishop of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo: Fridolin Ambongo Besungu. At 65, he is considered quite conservative compared to his cardinal colleagues from Europe and North America. He is also one of the most important church representatives in Africa. He viewed the opening for the blessing of same-sex couples - like many Catholics in Africa - very critically.

It is not ruled out that an American cardinal front could form in the conclave. Among the papabili from the USA, the 76-year-old Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, is given good chances. An alternative would be the 72-year-old Archbishop of Newark, Joseph W. Tobin, who has drawn criticism from US President Donald Trump for his defense of migrants deported by the United States.

The new Pope could also come from Asia. The former Archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio Tagle, has been living in Rome for several years now. The 67-year-old clergyman from the Catholic showcase nation in Asia, the Philippines, was appointed Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples by Francis in 2019. He is now Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization that emerged from it - one of the most important posts in the Curia. Tagle has repeatedly been named as the most promising candidate should the conclave choose an Asian for the first time. He also has Chinese roots. Like Pope Francis, he advocates for a church that stands by the side of the poor. And like the Argentine, he is strictly against abortion and contraception.

(APA/Red)

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