By Admin
The race for the Catholics exalted position of the Pope in the Vatican City in Rome has begun in earnest with 15 persons including Cardinals and Bishops across the globe.
This is sequel to the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, due to a stroke and cardiac arrest at his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City.
Pope Francis was laid to rest on April 26 at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome in fulfilment of his wish to be buried near the Salus Populi Romani icon, to which he held deep devotion, though outside Vatican City.
Indeed his death marked the end of a 12-year papacy characterised by humility, social justice advocacy, and reform efforts within the Catholic Church.
As it stands, the College of Cardinals is set to convene on May 7, 2025, to elect the next pope in the Sistine Chapel, with 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80 participating. The election will be focused on prayer and contemplation, with voting continuing until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines is recognised for his progressive views and pastoral empathy, actively supporting marginalised communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and migrants. However, his leadership has faced criticism regarding administrative issues and the handling of abuse allegations.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, possesses extensive diplomatic experience and played a crucial role in the 2018 Vatican-China agreement, which has drawn both praise and criticism. Parolin’s administrative skills are notable, yet he faces scrutiny for past decisions. Both candidates have been involved in discussions regarding the mishandling of clerical abuse cases, highlighting the ongoing challenges the Church must address.
As the conclave approaches, speculation regarding the successor to Pope Francis remains largely conjectural, given the absence of formal campaigning or a candidate list. Nonetheless, 15 cardinals have been identified as potential frontrunners for the papacy, referred to as ‘papabili’, and are categorised by region.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines is recognised for his progressive views and pastoral empathy, actively supporting marginalised communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and migrants. However, his leadership has faced criticism regarding administrative issues and the handling of abuse allegations.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, possesses extensive diplomatic experience and played a crucial role in the 2018 Vatican-China agreement, which has drawn both praise and criticism. Parolin’s administrative skills are notable, yet he faces scrutiny for past decisions. Both candidates have been involved in discussions regarding the mishandling of clerical abuse cases, highlighting the ongoing challenges the Church must address.
As the conclave approaches, speculation regarding the successor to Pope Francis remains largely conjectural, given the absence of formal campaigning or a candidate list. Nonetheless, 15 cardinals have been identified as potential frontrunners for the papacy, referred to as ‘papabili’, and are categorised by region.
Pope Francis’s Potential Successors From Europe
1. Pietro Parolin (Italy), 70, Francis’s number two at the Vatican
Parolin has served as the Vatican’s secretary of state for nearly the entirety of Francis’s papacy and is a significant figure on the global stage. Known for his composed demeanour and subtle humour, he has a deep understanding of the complexities of the Roman Curia. He played a pivotal role in the contentious 2018 Vatican agreement with China.
2. Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy), 60, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Pizzaballa oversees an archdiocese that includes Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Cyprus. He has called for peace amid conflict and officiated mass in both Gaza and Jerusalem during Christmas 2024.
3. Claudio Gugerotti (Italy), 69
An academic and multilingual diplomat, Gugerotti is an expert on Eastern Churches and has served as nuncio in several countries. He has largely avoided commenting on controversial issues and was made a cardinal in 2023.
4. Jean-Marc Aveline (France), 66, Archbishop of Marseille
Aveline, born in Algeria, has advocated for migrants and interreligious dialogue. He has gained attention as a cardinal since his elevation in 2022.
5. Anders Arborelius (Sweden), 75, Bishop of Stockholm
As Sweden’s first cardinal, Arborelius is a staunch defender of Church doctrine and advocates for welcoming migrants.
6. Mario Grech (Malta), 68, Bishop emeritus of Gozo
Grech has acted as a peace broker and held the position of secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, balancing the Church’s openness with conservative concerns.
7. Peter Erdo (Hungary), 72, Metropolitan Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
Erdo is a knowledgeable authority in canon law but faces backlash due to associations with Hungary’s nationalist administration.
8. Jean-Claude Hollerich (Luxembourg), 66, Archbishop of Luxembourg
A Jesuit, Hollerich has spent over 20 years in Japan and advocates for adaptation of the Church to societal changes, while remaining firm on dogma.
Pope Francis’s Potential Successors From Asia
9. Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), 67, Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Manila
Tagle, a charismatic moderate, is an advocate for the poor and has not shied away from addressing the Church’s shortcomings.
10. Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar), 76, Archbishop of Yangon
Bo has urged non-violence in Myanmar and defended the Rohingya community, raising awareness about human trafficking.
Pope Francis’s Potential Successors From Africa
11. Peter Turkson (Ghana), 76, Archbishop emeritus of Cape Coast
One of Africa’s most influential cardinals, Turkson has been mentioned as a potential first black pope and has served as a papal envoy in conflict situations.
As the College of Cardinals prepares for the upcoming conclave, the global Catholic community watches closely for the next leader of the Church.
12. Robert Sarah (Guinea), 79
A former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Robert Sarah is seen as a potential successor to Pope Francis. Had Pope Francis lived a few more months, Sarah — who turns 80 on June 16 — would have been too old to participate in the conclave. However, his candidacy is now championed by conservative Catholics in the French-speaking world as a means to reverse progressive reforms.
An ardent opponent of what he termed in 2015 “Western ideologies on homosexuality and abortion and Islamic fanaticism”, he has condemned a 2024 text that allowed for the blessing of same-sex couples. Although experts believe his conservative views may prevent him from securing a two-thirds majority at the conclave, his possible candidacy has nonetheless raised his profile.
13. Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of Congo), 65, Archbishop of Kinshasa
Ambongo stands out as the only cardinal from Africa on Pope Francis’s advisory council and leads the association of African bishops, SECAM.
Born in 1960, the year of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s independence from Belgium, he has been a strong advocate for peace in his conflict-ridden nation and is known for his conservative stance.
He notably signed a letter in January 2024 opposing the Vatican’s declaration permitting priests to conduct non-liturgical blessings of same-sex unions. In a 2023 interview, Ambongo, who is considered by some to be a potential first African pope, asserted that “Africa is the future of the Church, it’s obvious”.
Pope Francis’s Potential Successors From America
14. Robert Francis Prevost (United States), 69, Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo
A Chicago native, Prevost was appointed in 2023 as prefect of the influential Dicastery for Bishops, responsible for advising the pope on the appointment of new bishops. He has spent considerable time as a missionary in Peru and holds the title of Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo. Created a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, he also serves as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
15. Timothy Dolan (United States), 75, Archbishop of New York. Dolan, a charismatic figure of Irish-American descent, is a prominent theological conservative who is a strong opponent of abortion.
As the former archbishop of Milwaukee, he dealt with the fallout from a significant sexual abuse scandal within the diocese. In New York, facing declining Church membership, Dolan has sought to engage with the growing Hispanic community, which predominantly identifies as Catholic. (ephemeralnews.com.ng)
