As the Catholic Church mourns, speculation turns to the future
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced Monday, marking the end of a historic papacy that began on March 13, 2013. He was the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church and recently battled a serious case of double pneumonia.
As the Church begins preparations for the next conclave, attention has turned to the cardinals most likely to succeed him. Here are the top eight contenders:
1. Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76 – Ghana
The former Archbishop of Cape Coast would make history as the first Black pope. A seasoned Vatican diplomat, Turkson was dispatched by Francis as a peace envoy to South Sudan and is seen as a bridge to the rapidly growing African Church.
2. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67 – Philippines
Often viewed as a leading liberal voice in the Church, Tagle is widely considered a frontrunner. A former Archbishop of Manila, he now holds a key post in the Vatican and is closely aligned with Francis’s vision of a more pastoral Church.
3. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70 – Italy
Currently the Vatican Secretary of State, Parolin has been a close collaborator of Pope Francis. Though seen as a moderate, his role in Vatican diplomacy, especially with China, has drawn criticism in some circles.
4. Cardinal Péter Erdő, 72 – Hungary
A staunch conservative, Erdő is the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and a leading theological voice in Eastern Europe. He has publicly opposed allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive communion.
5. Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, 59 – Portugal
At 59, Tolentino is the youngest serious contender. Known for his cultural openness, he has encouraged biblical scholars to engage with contemporary arts and media, bridging tradition and modernity.
6. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69 – Italy
Archbishop of Bologna since 2015, Zuppi was made a cardinal by Francis in 2019. He has since served as the Vatican’s peace envoy for Ukraine, reinforcing his reputation as a skilled mediator with strong pastoral instincts.
7. Cardinal Mario Grech, 68 – Malta
A key architect of Pope Francis’s synodal reforms, Grech is currently Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops. He is known for advocating a more inclusive and listening Church.
8. Cardinal Robert Sarah, 79 – Guinea
A former Vatican liturgy chief and a prominent conservative voice, Sarah has been outspoken on issues such as gender ideology and Islamic fundamentalism. Like Turkson, he would also represent a historic African papacy.
As the Church grieves the loss of Pope Francis, all eyes now turn to the Sistine Chapel, where the future of Catholicism will soon be decided.
