Who will be the next pope? A look at some possibilities after Pope Francis’ death
The death of Pope Francis has triggered a period of mourning in the Vatican and signals the start of a millennia-old process of picking a new pontiff.It is a procedure steeped in tradition, but one which has been subtly updated for the modern world.Cardinals from around the world must gather for the conclave in which Francis’ successor is selected. It typically takes between two and three weeks for a pope to be chosen, though it can stretch slightly beyond that if cardinals struggle to agree on a candidate.Who will that candidate be? With the recent serious illness and now death of Pope Francis, a shortlist has emerged. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, PhilippinesAccording to U.S. Catholic Magazine, Tagle has long been considered the frontrunner for the papacy, if one were to exist. The magazine noted that Tagle would be the first pope fully fluent in English. Tagle and Pope Francis share similar criticisms of the Catholic Church’s positions on things like treatment of LGBTQ individuals and divorced and remarried Catholics. Tagle currently leads the church’s evangelization office. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, ItalyCardinal Parolin is currently the Secretary of State for the papacy, which is the second highest ranking position in the church. Parolin is another potential front-runner for the position, holding the ultimate diplomatic title for the church, something U.S. Catholic Magazine notes might be quite important in our current geopolitical climate. Still, according to the magazine, the last time someone in Parolin’s position was elected the pope was in 1939, just as World War II was breaking out.Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., 59, ItalyPizzaballa has served in Jerusalem for more than 30 years. He was elevated to Cardinal just before the start of the Israel-Hamas War and among the youngest on the short list. U.S. Catholic Magazine suggests that his age could either hurt him among the voting cardinals, who could decide he is too young to serve as the pope, or they could decide Pizzaballa could be a longer-lasting pope, which could provide stability to the Catholic Church.Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, HungaryErdo is considered more conservative, theologically, than Pope Francis. Though he has not always agreed with the pope, he has shown a willingness to work with the pope, which could work in his favor, according to U.S. Catholic Magazine. Erdo is a canon lawyer.Cardinal Peter Turkson, 70, GhanaTurkson would be the first pope from Africa in modern history if elected to the papacy. U.S. Catholic Magazine notes, though, that he has been labeled a progressive candidate, which has held him back in past conclaves – both in 2005 and 2013.According to the magazine, Pope Francis also removed him from a higher ranking position within the church, which could raise questions about his fitness for the papacy.Editor’s note: A previous version of this article said Turkson would be the first pope from Africa if elected. In the early centuries of the Catholic Church before the fall of the Roman Empire, three people who were born as subjects of the Roman Empire in Africa were eventually named pope, prior to the modern Conclave election of the pope.Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., 72, United States of AmericaTobin is one of two Americans on most short lists. He was a confidant of Pope Francis and an outspoken advocate for immigrants. While it is unlikely that the cardinals will elect an American as pope, U.S. Catholic Magazine suggests it would send a message to the Trump administration on its policies, something of which Pope Francis had been a vocal critic.Cardinal Raymond Burke, 76, United States of AmericaBurke is the other American on the list. He was a vocal critic of Pope Francis, with their disagreements going so far as Pope Francis having Burke removed from his apartment. Burke is a very conservative cardinal, theologically, and a proponent of all Latin Mass.
The death of Pope Francis has triggered a period of mourning in the Vatican and signals the start of a millennia-old process of picking a new pontiff.
It is a procedure steeped in tradition, but one which has been subtly updated for the modern world.
Cardinals from around the world must gather for the conclave in which Francis’ successor is selected. It typically takes between two and three weeks for a pope to be chosen, though it can stretch slightly beyond that if cardinals struggle to agree on a candidate.
Who will that candidate be? With the recent serious illness and now death of Pope Francis, a shortlist has emerged.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, Philippines
According to U.S. Catholic Magazine, Tagle has long been considered the frontrunner for the papacy, if one were to exist. The magazine noted that Tagle would be the first pope fully fluent in English.
Tagle and Pope Francis share similar criticisms of the Catholic Church’s positions on things like treatment of LGBTQ individuals and divorced and remarried Catholics. Tagle currently leads the church’s evangelization office.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, Italy
Cardinal Parolin is currently the Secretary of State for the papacy, which is the second highest ranking position in the church. Parolin is another potential front-runner for the position, holding the ultimate diplomatic title for the church, something U.S. Catholic Magazine notes might be quite important in our current geopolitical climate.
Still, according to the magazine, the last time someone in Parolin’s position was elected the pope was in 1939, just as World War II was breaking out.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., 59, Italy
Pizzaballa has served in Jerusalem for more than 30 years. He was elevated to Cardinal just before the start of the Israel-Hamas War and among the youngest on the short list. U.S. Catholic Magazine suggests that his age could either hurt him among the voting cardinals, who could decide he is too young to serve as the pope, or they could decide Pizzaballa could be a longer-lasting pope, which could provide stability to the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, Hungary
Erdo is considered more conservative, theologically, than Pope Francis. Though he has not always agreed with the pope, he has shown a willingness to work with the pope, which could work in his favor, according to U.S. Catholic Magazine.
Erdo is a canon lawyer.
Cardinal Peter Turkson, 70, Ghana
Turkson would be the first pope from Africa in modern history if elected to the papacy. U.S. Catholic Magazine notes, though, that he has been labeled a progressive candidate, which has held him back in past conclaves – both in 2005 and 2013.
According to the magazine, Pope Francis also removed him from a higher ranking position within the church, which could raise questions about his fitness for the papacy.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article said Turkson would be the first pope from Africa if elected. In the early centuries of the Catholic Church before the fall of the Roman Empire, three people who were born as subjects of the Roman Empire in Africa were eventually named pope, prior to the modern Conclave election of the pope.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., 72, United States of America
Tobin is one of two Americans on most short lists. He was a confidant of Pope Francis and an outspoken advocate for immigrants. While it is unlikely that the cardinals will elect an American as pope, U.S. Catholic Magazine suggests it would send a message to the Trump administration on its policies, something of which Pope Francis had been a vocal critic.
Cardinal Raymond Burke, 76, United States of America
Burke is the other American on the list. He was a vocal critic of Pope Francis, with their disagreements going so far as Pope Francis having Burke removed from his apartment. Burke is a very conservative cardinal, theologically, and a proponent of all Latin Mass.
