In search of a spiritual leader for the vast Catholic Church.
Position specification: Guiding a community of 1.4 billion Catholics.
Headquarters: Vatican City.
While the papacy does not have a formal list of candidates, several cardinals are often viewed as ‘papabile’—those considered to have the qualities required to be a pope. With St. John Paul II’s election in 1978 breaking the longstanding Italian hold on this position, the circle of potential candidates has notably expanded.
As the cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel come May 7 to decide on Pope Francis’ successor, emphasis will be laid on finding a pious individual capable of leading the Church. Besides purity, they’ll evaluate administrative and pastoral expertise alongside current Church necessities.
Presented herein is a compilation of potential candidates, detail elucidating their background.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Birth: Jan. 17, 1955
Nationality: Italian
Position: Vatican Secretary of State under Pope Francis
Track record: Experienced Vatican diplomat
Appointed cardinal by: Pope Francis
Parolin, aged 70, a seasoned diplomat, served as the Secretary of State, akin to a prime minister in the Vatican hierarchy.
Although aligned with Francis’ tenure, Parolin is notably quieter and favors a diplomatic direction compared to his Argentine mentor. He has the insight to recalibrate the Church’s future steps.
Parolin managed the contentious China bishop nomination deal for the Holy See and was involved, though uncharged, in the problematic London real estate investment case that culminated in a trial involving another cardinal. Previously acting as an ambassador to Venezuela, Parolin has deep ties with the Latin American Church, playing significant roles in events like the 2014 US-Cuba rapprochement.
If Parolin were chosen, an Italian would take the Pope’s mantle after three non-Italian predecessors: John Paul II (Polish), Benedict XVI (German), and Francis (Argentine). However, his pastoral experience is limited; he entered priesthood training at 14 after his father’s demise in an accident. Post-ordination in 1980, he served briefly in pastoral roles before dedicating to Vatican diplomacy, with postings in Nigeria, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Renowned for handling intricate Church matters diplomatically, Parolin has longstanding involvement with China and mediated a Vatican accord with Vietnam.
He was a central figure in the Vatican’s attempts to mediate in Ukraine and the Middle East conflicts, striving to assert the Holy See’s influence against the backdrop of a changing geopolitics under the Trump administration.
As Parolin remarked, “Peace should not just end but build on principles of fairness, involving all relevant parties and honoring international laws.” He foresaw challenges given the differing geopolitical avenues emerging in recent times.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle
Birth: June 21, 1957
Ethnicity: Filipino
Role: Leading the Dicastery for Evangelization under Pope Francis
Former roles: Archbishop of Manila, Philippines
Made cardinal by: Pope Benedict
Tagle, 67, catches attention as potentially the maiden Asian pope, underpinning the burgeoning Catholic demographics in Asia.
Pope Francis integrated the beloved Manila Archbishop into Vatican missionary work, reforming the Vatican bureaucracy in the process. His Asian and African church operations now bear additional significance. Tagle cherishes his Chinese lineage – hailing from a Chinese-descended maternal grandmother.
Equipped with pastoral, Vatican, and managerial expertise, Tagle led Caritas Internationalis before settling in Rome. Despite concerns about his young age being a disadvantage for papacy, Tagle’s communicative proficiency shines, as noted by Professor Leo Ocampo, pointing out the need for adept media-facing pontificates.
However, questions arose in 2022 regarding his supervision at Caritas, leading to the management’s removal, including Tagle’s downgrading due to perceived leadership deficiencies affecting morale.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu
Born: Jan. 24, 1960
Origin: Congolese
Position: Archbishop of Kinshasa, Congo
Experience: Chair of the bishop conferences of Africa and Madagascar
Elevated to the cardinal rank by: Pope Francis
Ambongo, 65, represents one of Africa’s most vocal clerical figures and heads the Kinshasa Archdiocese, which boasts the continent’s largest Catholic populace, highlighting the future of the Church.
As Archbishop since 2018 and a cardinal since 2019, Franciscian appointed him to revamp the Vatican’s administrative structure.
Ambongo, a staunch Catholic doctrinal adherent, exhibits a conservative stance, evident in his 2024 opposition to Francis’ statement allowing priests to bless same-sex unions, signaling a strong regional dissension from Vatican teachings.
Nevertheless, Congolese quarters appreciate his interfaith harmony promotion in a region rife with religious divides.
His blunt governmental critiques focus on social justice for a resource-abundant yet impoverished country. Ambongo’s condemnation of both governmental corruption and international exploitation underscores his advocacy for equitable mineral wealth distribution.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
Date of Birth: Oct. 11, 1955
Citizenship: Italian
Current Role: Archbishop of Bologna, Italy, also chairing the Italian bishops’ assembly
Prior Role: Rome’s Auxiliary Bishop
Cardinalship conferred by: Pope Frances
Zuppi, 69, known as a ‘street priest’ aligns with Francis’ penchant for engaging marginalized communities, a trait showcased by his swift ascendancy from Bologna Archbishop in 2015 to cardinalship by 2019.
His affiliation with the Sant’Egidio Community, promoting interfaith conversations, and assisting in Mozambique’s civil strife resolution in the 1990s, coupled with his deployment as Francis’ peace representative for Ukraine-Russia tensions, highlight his credentials.
Post-elevating, Francis placed him at the helm of Italy’s clergy, acknowledging his pastoral devotion, resembling Francis himself.
Despite his seemingly boundless ministry spirit, his age might deter cardinals aiming for a brief papacy.
His progressive side is illustrated through advocating bridge-building with LGBTQ+ communities, acknowledging its complexities and necessity for ongoing dialogue.
Cardinal Péter Erd?
Date of Birth: June 25, 1952
Nationality: Hungarian
Position: Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary
Historical roles: Twice led European bishops’ council networks
Cardinal title accorded by: John Paul II
Renowned for rigorous theological insight, Erd?, 72, stands as a prime conservative candidate.
Leading Esztergom-Budapest’s archdiocese since 2002, Erd? presented as a cardinal a year afterward. His participation in previous conclaves adds to his prominence.
Erd? embodies doctrinal integrity, stiffly opposing same-sex marriages and remarried Catholics’ communion rights unless celibate.
Formerly a traditional family proponent, he shaped Francis’ Vatican family discourse initiatives.
His tenure from 2006 to 2016 presiding over European bishops’ dialogue contributed to Church unity and societal evaluations in Europe.
Adhering to Hungarian socio-political neutrality, Erd? has maintained camaraderie with the native conservative government whilst hesitating on divisive policies like immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.
Cardinal Robert Prevost
Date of Birth: Sept. 14, 1955
Nationality: American and Peruvian
Office: Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops; also chair of the Latin America Pontifical Commission, appointed by Francis
Preceding experience: Archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru; formerly leading the Augustinian order
Made cardinal by: Pope Francis
Among few possessing substantial global episcopal influence, Prevost, 69, helms candidate vetting for episcopal worldwide, endowing him with immeasurable visibility in papal conclave.
Although U.S. citizenship generally tempers a candidacy, Prevost’s dual Peruvian citizenship counteracts taboo perceptions. Having lived extensively in Peru, acting as both a missionary and later Chiclayo’s archbishop, Prevost harnesses cross-cultural adaptability.
Tapped as a foremost candidate for Francis’ episcopal succession, Prevost helmed revolutionary reforms like introducing three women in the decisive bishop selection group.
Prevost maintains discretion post-Rome assignment, thereby boosting his standing among cardinal peers.
Rev. Fidel Purisaca commemorates Prevost’s approachable and joyful disposition amidst ecclesiastical burdens, attesting to his uplifting demeanor.
Cardinal Anders Arborelius
Date of Birth: Sept. 24, 1949
Nationality: Swedish
Role: Bishop of Stockholm
Experience: Affiliated with the Discalced Carmelite Fathers; former Nordic Bishop council leader
Crowned cardinal by: Pope Francis
Despite presiding over a minute Catholic congregation, Arborelius, 75, emerges as a contingency pick for conservatives.
As Stockholm’s bishop since 1998, his cardinalship was groundbreaking for Sweden.
Born in Switzerland, brought up in Lutheran Sweden, his youthful conversion to Catholicism led to priesthood, becoming Sweden’s first ethnically Swedish bishops in modern times.
Besides opposing ordaining women priests, Arborelius advocated creating women’s advisory groups for papal guidance.
Subscribed to environmental safeguarding, his 2021 mission investigated handling clerical abuse in Germany’s Cologne archdiocese.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa
Date of Birth: April 21, 1965
Origin: Italian
Role: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Career: Part of Franciscan Order of Friars Minor
Elevated to cardinal by: Pope Francis
At 60 years, Pizzaballa favours Italians aspiring for a native papal restoration following three international incumbents.
Three decades of Jerusalem involvement, he was initially entrusted with Holy Land property management and later led as the Latin Patriarch, representing Catholics in the near east.
Hebrew fluency speaks for Pizzaballa’s conducive communications, especially during the 2023 Gaza hostilities, offering a solidarity exchange for captive children.
Cardinal Juan José Omella
Born: April 21, 1946
Nationality: Spanish
Position: Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain
Experience: Zaire missionary work, now Congo; current Spanish bishop assembly head
Cardinal by: Pope Francis
Omella, 79, ardently combats global hunger, potentially continuing Pope Francis’ commitment to aid impoverished global communities.
Despite his robust initiatives, Spain’s struggled clerical abuse reckonings might overshadow his candidacy. Yet, he is notably recognized for sharing Francis’ joyous Gospel rendition.
Cardinal Reinhard Marx
Born: Sept. 21, 1953
Origin: German
Position: Archbishop of Munich and Freising
Experience: Vatican Economy Council and European Bishops’ Council president
Raised to cardinal by: Benedict
If steadfast reforms are anticipated, Marx, 71, a bastion for carrying forward Francis’ laity dialogues can assume the mantle.
Throughout clerical abuse scandals, Marx presented resignation, spotlighting transformative needs while resisting conservative undoings of reform attempts.
Cardinal Robert Sarah
Birth: June 15, 1945
From: Guinea
Position: Retired
Past engagements: Prefect of Vatican liturgy office; Cor Unum Charity head
Appointed cardinal by: Benedict XVI
Despite cardinal stature, conservative cardinal Sarah, 79, encounters diminished prospects post-public disputes surrounding Francis.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet
Birth: June 8, 1944
Nationality: Canadian
Role: Retired
Overview: Running Vatican’s bishop placement afterward Pontifical Commission in Latin America role
Made a cardinal under: John Paul II
Ouellet, 80, faced scrutiny from misconduct allegations despite unwavering denials and lawsuits, plausibly limiting papal potential.
Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn
Born: Jan. 22, 1945
Nationality: Austrian
Responsibilities: Archbishop of Vienna
Experience: Spearheaded Catholic catechism edifice; Dominican Order member
Becoming a cardinal during John Paul’s tenure
Schoenborn, a protégé of Benedict, presents ideological versatility, advocating for doctrinal expansion under Francis, though how these factors would influence his consideration remains complex.