The Next Roman Catholic Pope: A Look at the Contenders
The selection of the next Roman Catholic pope is a mysterious and complex process. With Pope Francis’ eventual retirement, many are speculating about who will succeed him. However, predicting the next pope is a challenging task, as the process is shrouded in secrecy and often yields unexpected results.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Challenge of Prediction
Guesses about who will be the next Roman Catholic pope often prove inaccurate. Before the selection of Pope Francis in 2013, many bookmakers had not even counted him among the front-runners. This time, predictions are further complicated because Francis made many appointments in a relatively short amount of time during his tenure, diversifying the College of Cardinals and making it harder to identify movements and factions within the group.
Potential Contenders
Despite the challenges, discussion of potential names began long ago behind the Vatican’s walls, and observers are predicting several possibilities. Some are seen as likely to build on Francis’ progressive agenda, while others would represent a return to a more traditional style. Experts also suggest that the College might favor a prelate with experience in the complexities of international relations.
Pierbattista Pizzaballa
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, an Italian who is the Vatican’s top official for Middle East affairs, is considered a possible front-runner. Although he became a cardinal only in 2023, his experience in one of the world’s most heated conflict zones helped him rise to prominence. Cardinal Pizzaballa would be the first Italian pope since John Paul I in 1978, but experts say he is also considered an international figure and removed from Vatican politics, having spent much of his career in Jerusalem.
Pietro Parolin
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, has been Pope Francis’ second-in-command since 2013, when Francis made him secretary of state. In that role, the cardinal is in charge of overseeing internal church affairs and guiding foreign policy. A soft-spoken Italian and mild-mannered centrist, Cardinal Parolin is deeply familiar with the Curia, the church’s central administration, as well as of the Vatican’s vast international network, having served for over 20 years as a diplomat and under secretary at the Vatican-based body that oversees its international relations.
Fridolin Ambongo
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, 65, the archbishop of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been considered a possible contender since Francis made him a cardinal in 2019. Pope Francis had long urged the Catholic Church to “go to the peripheries,” meaning communities in Africa and Asia, where the church also is the most vibrant. One persistent question has been when the church might reinforce that commitment by choosing a pope from Africa.
Luis Antonio Tagle
Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, a liberal-leaning cardinal from the Philippines whom commentators have dubbed the “Asian Francis,” has for years been deemed a front-runner to be pope. He was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 and would be the first Asian pope. An ally of Francis, the often smiling Cardinal Tagle goes by the nickname “Chito.” His highly personable approach is in line with Francis’ attention to the poor and those in need in developing countries, where he has lived and worked.
Matteo Zuppi
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi of Italy, 69, stands out among the contenders who reflect Francis’ view that the church should be representative of and support the poor. Francis promoted the progressive native of Bologna to the rank of cardinal in 2019 and assigned him several important missions. Some experts speculate that Francis would have likely favored him as his successor, although the pope never weighed in publicly on the matter.
Peter Erdo
Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary, 72, an expert on canon law, is expected to be a front-runner among cardinals who long for a return to the conservatism of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. John Paul II named the cleric archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest in 2002, and the following year gave him a cardinal hat, making him — at 50 — the youngest cardinal at the time.
Anders Arborelius
Bishop Anders Arborelius of Stockholm, 75, who converted to Catholicism at age 20, is Sweden’s first Catholic cardinal. Although Sweden was once predominantly Lutheran and is now largely secular, it is one of few European countries where the Roman Catholic Church has grown in recent years. Francis’ elevation of the cardinal in 2017 was seen as another attempt to reach out to countries where Catholics represent a minority.
Conclusion
The selection of the next Roman Catholic pope is a complex and unpredictable process. While it is impossible to know for certain who will succeed Pope Francis, the contenders mentioned above are some of the most likely candidates. Each of them brings their unique experiences and perspectives to the table, and the ultimate choice will depend on the College of Cardinals’ vision for the future of the Catholic Church. As the Church navigates the challenges of the modern world, the next pope will play a crucial role in shaping its direction and ensuring its continued relevance and influence.
