Before the Start of the Conclave: Who Will Be the Next Pope?

There are neither candidates nor campaigns for the position of pope, and election promises are prohibited. The outcome of a conclave is often surprising. However, within the church, there are some cardinals considered "papabile," meaning potentially electable as pope. Nevertheless, there is no clear favorite.

Zuppi, Parolin, Pizzaballa: Will an Italian be the next pope?

Since 1978, with the election of John Paul II, only foreign popes have been elected, leading Vatican insiders to wonder if the time for an Italian pontiff might soon come again. Among the Italian "papabili," the President of the Italian Bishops' Conference CEI, MATTEO ZUPPI, is considered a suitable candidate. The 68-year-old Archbishop of Bologna is known for his diplomatic skills and peace efforts. He has been a prominent member of the internationally influential lay community Sant'Egidio for years, which is fully aligned with the Francis line. Recently, he was also the pope's special envoy for peace in Ukraine. The cardinal is politically savvy and familiar with dialogue and conflicts.

As an alternative to Zuppi, the current Vatican Cardinal Secretary of State, Cardinal PIETRO PAROLIN, is a possibility among the Italians. Until the death of Francis, he was the highest-ranking curial cardinal and was particularly appreciated for his role in international politics. The 70-year-old became known for his diplomatic work on the Vatican's relations with China and his efforts in interreligious dialogue and the peace process. His weakness is that he is seen as an emblem of the Francis pontificate. If the papal electors decide on a radical change of course after the Argentine's time, Parolin would have little chance of success.

Among the Italians, PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, the first Patriarch of Jerusalem in the College of Cardinals, also has a chance. In the Middle East minefield, the 60-year-old has proven himself for years as a skilled diplomat and dialogue partner. His style is non-clerical and unconventional. He maintains good dialogue with Jewish and Islamic religious leaders as well as those of Orthodoxy. All of this would be advantageous in a future conclave.

Cardinals from Hungary and Malta also have chances before the start of the conclave

The conservative cardinals, who have been watching Francis' progressive course with eagle eyes for years, hope for a change and are backing their own candidate, the Archbishop of Budapest, PÉTER ERDŐ. The 72-year-old former president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences is a conservative church leader known for his traditional stance. He had good relations with the late Benedict XVI. Erdő can look back on a steep career. At 54, he became president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE), at just 50 he became Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, and at 52 he was the youngest cardinal in the conclave in 2005. Due to the geographical location of his homeland, Erdő also stands for ecumenism with Orthodoxy, which he pursues with great commitment.

On Francis' course is the Maltese Cardinal MARIO GRECH (67 years). The Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops and former Bishop of Gozo in Malta is known for his theological expertise. Cardinal VICTOR MANUEL FERNANDEZ (62 years), Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and former Rector of the Pontifical University of Argentina, is also given good chances. Fernandez is a close confidant of Pope Francis. As head of the faith authority, he authored the highly controversial paper for the blessing of homosexuals, which sparked massive opposition, especially in Africa.

Next Pope Could Come from Asia or Africa for the First Time

A pope from the Far East would be a first for the Catholic Church. With the Filipino Cardinal LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE, Asian Catholics can hope for a pontiff from their regions. Even before the 2013 conclave that led to the election of Francis, the then 55-year-old Tagle was considered a "papabile." At that time, he was the second youngest papal elector. Now, the always smiling and cheerful Tagle is Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and one of Francis' influential men. If the conclave decides again for a foreigner, the 67-year-old Tagle could finally come into play as pope.

A pope from Africa could also be a first for the church. Cardinal FRIDOLIN AMBONGO BESUNGU (65) from the Democratic Republic of Congo made headlines when he declared a controversial statement by Pope Francis, which allows priests to bless unmarried and same-sex couples, null and void on the African continent. A pontificate with Besungu would be a clear deviation from Francis' course. The current pontiff appointed Besungu as cardinal in 2019.

(APA/Red)

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