It is always risky to foretell who will be the next pope. But you can do it today. to be tempted to indicatewho have the best chance of becoming the successor of the deceased Francis yesterday.
Which cardinal has a chance to become another pope?
Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, French, 66 years old
According to the French press, in any Catholic circles he is known as John XXIV, which refers to his similarity to Pope John XXIII, a rounding reformer pope from the early 1960s. Pope Francis erstwhile joked that his successor could accept the name John XXIV. Aveline is known for his folk, free nature, readiness to throw jokes and ideological intimacy with Francis, especially in terms of immigration and relations with the Muslim world. He is besides a serious intellectual, has a PhD in theology and degree in philosophy.
He was born in Algeria to a household of Spanish immigrants who moved to France after Algeria gained independence. He spent most of his life in Marseille, a port that has been a crossroads of cultures and religions for centuries. During the pontificate of Francis, Aveline made large advancement in her career, becoming bishop in 2013, Archbishop in 2019 and Cardinal 3 years later. His position increased in September 2023 erstwhile he organized an global ecclesiastical conference on Mediterranean issues, where Pope Francis was the main guest.
If Aveline had taken this position, he would have become the first French pope since the 14th century, a turbulent period in which the papal capital was transferred to Avignon. He would besides be the youngest pope since John Paul II. He understands, but does not talk Italian – a possibly serious flaw in the position that besides involves the title of Bishop of Rome and requires a large cognition of Roman games and intrigue.
Cardinal Peter Erdo, Hungary, 72
If Erdo is elected, he will inevitably be seen as a compromise candidate. He is simply a conservative individual from the conservative camp who inactive managed to make contact with the globalist imagination of the planet of Francis. Erdo was already considered to be a Pope candidate during the last conclave in 2013 due to his broad contacts with the Church in Europe and Africa, and besides due to the fact that he was seen as a pioneer of the fresh Evangelization, aiming to revive Catholic religion in secularized, developed countries – which was the precedence of many cardinals.
He is simply a conservative in theology, and in speeches across Europe emphasizes the Christian roots of the continent. However, it is besides seen as pragmatic and has never entered openly into conflict with Francis, as opposed to another clergymen about conventional attitudes. He aroused surprise in the Vatican during the 2015 immigrant crisis, erstwhile he opposed the call of Pope Francis to welcome the refugees, claiming that this would be equivalent to trafficking in human beings. He thus supported the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban.
Erdo is an expert in ecclesiastical law, and he has developed rapidly throughout his career. He became Bishop at the age of 40 and Cardinal in 2003, only 51. Until 2010, he was the youngest associate of the College of Cardinals. He speaks perfectly Italian, as well as German, French, Spanish and Russian, which can aid him to warm relations between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church after the period of cold war in Ukraine.
Erdo is not a charismatic speaker, but although this was erstwhile undoubtedly regarded as a serious defect, this time it may prove to be an advantage if cardinals want a calm pontificate after the excesses of Francis.
Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, 68 years old
Grech is from Gozo, an island close Malta. He was appointed General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops by Pope Francis. Initially, he was considered a Conservative, but for years Grech was a advocate for the globalist and modernist reforms of Francis in the Church, rapidly adapting to changing times.
In 2008, respective sodomites surviving in Malta declared that they were leaving the Church as a sign of protest against the attitude of Pope Benedict XVI, who opposed the deviative environment. Grech did not show them much compassion at the time, but erstwhile he spoke in the Vatican in 2014, he called on the Church to accept more of this ideology and creativity in uncovering fresh ways to deal with contemporary household problems. The next day during breakfast, Pope Francis patted him on the shoulder and praised him for his speech, which gave him a chance for promotion.
In 2018. Grech spoke about how much he enjoyed the challenges faced by the Church. – We're going through a period of change. And for me, it's a very affirmative thing. said Malta Today. His views made him respective loud enemies, and Conservative Cardinal Gerhard Muller in a memorable way turned against him in 2022, depreciating his technological merit and accusing him of opposing Catholic doctrine.
Grech's allies claim that he has friends in both conservative and average camp and that due to his prestigious function is known to many cardinals, which is simply a clear advantage in the conclave, in which so many cardinals are comparatively unknown to each other.
Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, 79 years old
Omella is simply a man whom Pope Francis personally liked. Modest and kind, he leads mediocre life despite his title, sacrificing his ecclesiastical career of pastoral care, promoting alleged social justice and promoting a "inclusive" imagination of Catholicism.
He was born in 1946 in the village of Cretas in northeastern Spain. After receiving priestly ordination in 1970, he served as a priest in respective Spanish parishes and besides spent a year as a missionary in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Emphasizing his commitment to social affairs, he worked closely between 1999 and 2015 with the Spanish charity Manos Unidas, which deals with the fight against hunger, illness and poorness in developing countries.
He became bishop in 1996 and was promoted to Archbishop of Barcelona in 2015. Just a year later, Francis handed him a red cardinal's hat – this decision was seen as a clear support for the left-liberal tendencies of Omella, which contrasted with the conservative elements that erstwhile dominated the Spanish Church.
In 2023 Francis invited Omella to his nine-man cabinet of cardinals to advise him on management issues.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Italy, Vatican diplomat, 70 years old
Parolin is seen as a compromise candidate between “progressive” and conservative. For most of his life, he was a church diplomat and served as Secretary of State of Pope Francis since 2013, the year in which Francis was elected. This position is akin to that of the Prime Minister, and the Secretarys of State are frequently referred to as "vicepapies", as they occupy a second position after the pope in the Vatican hierarchy.
Parolin previously served as Deputy Minister of abroad Affairs with Pope Benedict XVI, who appointed him Ambassador to the Vatican of Venezuela in 2009. There he defended the Church against the actions of then president Hugo Chávez, aiming to weaken it. He was besides the chief architect of Vatican approximation with China and Vietnam. Conservatives attacked him for an agreement to appoint bishops in Communist China. He defended the agreement, saying that although it was not perfect, schisms were avoided and provided any form of communication with the Beijing government.
Parolin was never on the frontlines nor a loud activist in the alleged "cultural wars" within the Church that focused on issues specified as abortion and privileges for sexual deviants, although he erstwhile condemned the legalization of same-sex marriages, calling them "the defeat of humanity". He defended the unity of the Church and the power of the Vatican over local bishops, criticizing the German synodal path, e.g. allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. He said that bishoprics could not make decisions that would yet affect all Catholics.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle of the Philippines, 67 years old
The tagle is frequently called “Asian Francis” due to its commitment to helping the poor. If he were elected, he would be the first pope from Asia. Since his priestly ordination in 1982, he has had decades of pastoral experience. He besides gained administrative experience, first as Bishop Imus and then Archbishop Manila. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Cardinal. In 2019, Francis moved him from Manila and appointed the head of the Church's missionary organization, formally known as the Dicastery for Evangelization.
It comes from what any call the “Catholic lung of Asia” due to the fact that the Philippines has the largest Catholic population on the continent. His parent was an cultural Filipino Chinese. He speaks fluent Italian and English. From 2015 to 2020, he was the chief leader of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of over 160 Catholic relief organizations worldwide.
In 2022 Pope Francis dismissed the full Caritas Internationalis management after accusations of mobbing and humiliating employees. He appointed a commissioner to manage the organization from now on. The tagle, which was besides removed from office at the time, was yet the titular president of that institution, but was not active in its regular affairs, which was supervised by the secular CEO.
Commenting on the Pope's decision, Tagle then said at a press conference that the changes were a minute of "to face our failures." The question remains how this saga will affect Tagle’s chances of Papacy.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, USA, 72
It is improbable that cardinals would elect a pope from the United States, but if they were ready for it, Tobin would seem the most likely candidate. He's a erstwhile leader of the Redemptorist order from Detroit. He spent his ministry riding around the world. He speaks fluent Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. He besides has experience in the Vatican service and in the highest positions in the Church of the United States.
Tobin held administrative functions in the Vatican from 2009 to 2012, and was then appointed Archbishop of Indianapolis by Pope Benedict. Francis promoted him to Cardinal in 2016 and later appointed Archbishop of Newark.
In the second role, Tobin dealt with 1 of the most publicized Catholic scandals of fresh years. In 2018, then Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, 1 of Tobin's predecessors in Newark, was removed from service due to charges of sexual harassment of seminarians. McCarrick denied any irregularities, but resigned as cardinal and was later found guilty by the Vatican Court and removed from the priesthood.
Tobin garnered praise for the way he dealt with the scandal, including the decision to make the previously confidential settlements between the archdiocese and McCarrick's alleged victims public.
Tobin is the oldest of 13 siblings and said he is “a recovering alcoholic.” He is known for being open to sexual deviants, writing in 2017 that “in besides many parts of our church LGBT people feel unwelcome, excluded, or even embarrassed.”
Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana, 76 years old
Turkson began modestly in a tiny African town, but achieved large success in the Church, becoming a candidate for the first pope from Sub-Saharan Africa. It combines many years of pastoral experience gained in the parish in Ghana with applicable experience of managing respective Vatican offices, as well as excellent communication skills. The fact that it comes from 1 of the most dynamic regions for the Church, which struggles with the forces of secularism in its European centres, should besides strengthen its position.
He's the 4th boy in a household where 10 children were born. His father worked in the mine and was moonlighting as a carpenter while his parent was selling vegetables at the market. He studied in seminars in Ghana and fresh York City, accepted priestly ordination in 1975, after which he taught in his erstwhile seminary in Ghana and continued his Bible studies in Rome. Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992, and 11 years later became the first cardinal in the past of this West African state.
The promotion continued in the days of John Paul II's successor, Benedict XVI, who brought him to the Vatican in 2009 and appointed the president of the Pontifical Council "Iustitia et Pax" – a body promoting "social justice", human rights and peace in the world. In his role, he was 1 of the pope's closest advisors on issues specified as climate change. He participated in the economical forum in Davos.
In 2016, Francis merged Turkson's department with 3 another offices, which, according to some, led to a power conflict between him and another cardinal. Turkson resigned from this function in 2021 and was appointed president of 2 papal discipline and social sciences academy. In 2023, he told the BBC that he was praying “against” the anticipation of his election as Pope, but any of his opponents stated that given his speeches in the media, it looked like he was moving an election campaign.
Matteo Maria Zuspi from Italy, 69 years old
When Zuppi became Archbishop of Bologna in 2015, national media began to call him "Italian Bergoglio" due to his worldview unity with Francis. Like the late Pope yesterday, Zuppi is known as “the priest of the street” who focuses on migrants and the poor, and does not care about the splendor and protocol. He uses the name “Father Matteo”, and in Bologna he sometimes uses a bike alternatively of a business car.
If he became Pope, conservatives would most likely look at him with suspicion. The victims of sexual abuse in the Church could besides resent him due to the fact that the Italian Catholic Church, which has been led since 2022, has not rushed to analyse and face this problem.
The Italian cardinal is closely associated with the Sant’Egidio Community, a worldwide Catholic group working for peace and justice, based in the historical territory of Rome, Trastevere. There he spent most of his life as a priest. The Sant’Egidio organization, sometimes called the “United Trastevere Nations”, negotiated in 1992 a peace agreement that ended the 17-year civilian war in Mozambique. 1 of the mediators was then Zuppi.
Recently, as a papal envoy for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, he became more active in diplomatic activities, focusing on efforts to repatriate children who, according to Ukraine, were deported to Russia.
Zuppi was born and raised in Rome, with a beautiful clear regional accent. His father Enrico was editor of the Sunday supplement of the Vatican paper “L’Osservatore Romano”, and his mother's uncle Carlo Confalonieri was besides a cardinal.
We besides recommend: Jewish Nazis blocked Easter celebrations
