Our Next Pope?
Segment # 428
As the Catholic Church prepares for the 2025 papal conclave following Pope Francis's death on April 21, several cardinals have emerged as leading contenders to become the next pope. The conclave, set to begin on May 7, will see 135 cardinal electors from 71 countries gather in the Sistine Chapel to select the new pontiff. The field is notably diverse, reflecting the global nature of the Church.AP News+9Wikipedia+9Wikipedia+9Wikipedia+1El País+1
Top Contenders for the Papacy
1. Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy)
Currently serving as the Vatican's Secretary of State, Parolin is considered a diplomatic moderate and a continuity candidate for Francis’s legacy. However, he has faced criticism from the watchdog group Bishop Accountability for allegedly obstructing justice in clerical abuse investigations by withholding documents requested by authorities in several countries. The Washington Post+6home+6Latest news & breaking headlines+6Latest news & breaking headlines
2. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)
Often referred to as the "Asian Pope Francis," Tagle is known for his progressive views and emphasis on evangelization. He currently serves as the Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Despite his popularity, Tagle has been criticized for not implementing effective reforms in the Philippines during his tenure as Archbishop of Manila, including a bishops' conference document that partially blamed abuse victims. homeWikipedia+2Wikipedia+2home+2Latest news & breaking headlines
3. Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana)
Turkson, the former Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, is a prominent African candidate. He is known for his work on social justice issues and has been considered papabile in previous conclaves. New York Post+1Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3
4. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy)
As the Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Zuppi is recognized for his pastoral approach and efforts in conflict mediation. He has been a vocal advocate for welcoming migrants and has opposed right-wing populism and nationalism. Newsweek+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
5. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
The Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Ambongo is known for his conservative stance on doctrinal issues. He notably rejected the Vatican's declaration allowing blessings for same-sex couples, asserting it was not applicable in Africa. derrynow.com+3home+3Wikipedia+3
6. Cardinal Peter Erdő (Hungary)
Erdő, the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, is a conservative candidate who has opposed the practice of divorced or remarried Catholics receiving Holy Communion. He has also expressed skepticism about European countries accepting refugees, equating it to human trafficking. home+1Wikipedia+1
7. Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea)
Known for his traditionalist views, Sarah has been a vocal advocate for pre-Vatican II liturgical practices and has criticized modern societal trends, including what he terms "gender ideology." Despite being a prominent figure among conservatives, his chances are considered slim due to the majority of cardinal electors being appointed by Pope Francis. WikipediaThe Washington Post
8. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy)
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pizzaballa is recognized for his efforts in promoting peace in the Middle East. At 60, he is considered relatively young for the papacy, which may affect his chances in this conclave. home+5National Catholic Reporter+5Wikipedia+5
Conclave Dynamics
The upcoming conclave is characterized by a lack of consensus among the cardinal electors, with no clear frontrunner emerging. The divisions between traditionalists and progressives, along with the diverse backgrounds of the electors, suggest that the election process may be prolonged and could result in the selection of a compromise candidate or even an unexpected choice. WikipediaEl País
For a visual overview of the leading candidates, you may find the following video informative:
As the conclave approaches, the global Catholic community awaits the decision that will shape the future direction of the Church.