Who will be the next Pope?

Francisco’s favorite, return of conservatism of Benedict XVI, first black porridge or even a Portuguese: Here are the likely successors of the Pope who wanted a church “for all.”

The day after Easter Sunday, the world woke up with the news of, at the age of 88.

The High Pontiff, which fought a number of health problems at its last times – including a recent double pneumonia that hospitalized it – was at his Vatican residence, Santa Marta’s house, hours after appearing, fragile and for just a minute, at Easter morning mass.

It is between rigid rules and absolute secret that the conclave begins to choose a new pope, expected for a month from now. Will be elected among the 138 members of the Cardinal College under 80 – a List with four Portuguese, one of them a strong candidate for Francisco’s succession.

But before we look at the conclave process to choose the new Pope: after all, who are the most spoken names to be the next leader of the Catholic Church?

Pietro Parolin, 70 years old (Italy)

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, is seen as a strong candidate. Vatican Secretary of State since 2013Parolin currently holds one of the highest positions of the church.

Native of Veneto, Italy, is seen as a Moderate pragmatic and not as a figure with clearly defined ideological inclinations. It is a safe choice for those who advocate continuity.

It is known for its diplomatic approach Geopolitical issues, including negotiations with China and Middle East, having recently advocated peacekeeping efforts in an interview with the Italian newspaper The echo of Bergamo“Everyone can contribute to peace, but solutions should never be sought through unilateral impositions that risk the rights of whole peoples, otherwise there will never be just and lasting peace.”

Peter Erdö, 72 years old (Hungary)

Another possible candidate often mentioned is Cardinal Peter Erdö, 72, archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest in Hungary. Strong defender of traditional Catholic teachings and doctrine, is a traditionalistknown for their firm positions on the doctrine of the Church.

Erdö It is opposed that divorced Catholics or who have returned to receive the Holy Communioninvoking the indissolubility of marriage, and also generated controversy with previous comments in which compared the reception of refugees to human trafficking.

The conservative points of view of the former president of the European Episcopal Episcopal Conference Council may please cardinals seeking a firm doctrinally successor to Francis-a kind of Return to the Conservatism of John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

Luis Antonio Tagle, 67 years (Philippines)

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, former Archbishop of Manila and current mayor of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is another name very present in the discussions of succession.

Advocate of inclusion, known for its deep connection to the global south and its Reputation of humility, Tagle will be a favorite of Pope Francis. Its inclusion in key positions in the Vatican suggests that the Philippine has strong support within the current hierarchy of the Church.

MATTEO ZUPPI, 69 years old (Italy)

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69 and currently president of the Italy Episcopal Conference, has been active in the international scene.

He recently traveled on peace missions for Ukraine and the United States, having been spotted with political leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden.

It is known for its inclusive: expressed his support for dialogue with the LGBTQ community, writing positively on the subject in James Martin’s book “Building a Bridge”.

Raymond Leo Burke, 76 years old (USA)

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, 76, is a polarizing figure.

Born in Wisconsin, USA, and raised to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, is considered a Pope Francis’ Critical Traditionalist.

The American has often criticized Francis’ progressive reforms, including the softening of the church’s tone on topics such as contraception, civil unions and same-sex relationships. It has also argued that Catholic politicians who support the right to abortion must be deprived of communion.

Peter Turksson, 76 years (win)

One of the main voices of social justice, Ghanaian Peter Turkson has been addressing issues such as climate change, poverty and economic inequality. Belongs to more liberal wing of the church.

Former director of the dicker for the promotion of the Integral Human Development of the Vatican, His election would be historical: It would be the first African Pope in over 1500 years (The last was Pope Gelasio I, who reigned in the 5th century).

And it could be the first black pope – there is no certainty about if there has been any.

Angelo Scola, 82 years old (Italy)

Despite his advanced age, Scola has a profound theological formation and an appeal traditionalist.

He was considered a serious candidate during the conclave of 2013. Known for defending a more hierarchical structure of the church, Scola is another eventual candidate who could represent a Return to pre-francisco priorities.

Mario Grech, 68 years (Malta)

As secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, Grech has been kept on the line between progressive rhetoric and traditional values.

He suggested that the church needs to adopt a new tone by addressing sensitive issues such as homosexuality and divorce, although not seen as a radical reformist.

Robert Sarah, 79 years old (Guinea)

Conservative convinced, Sarah has been pronounced against gender ideology and Islamic fundamentalism.

It has performed high level functions in the Vatican since the age of John Paul II.

Fridolin Ambongo besungu, 65 anos (DRC Congo)

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongongo Besungu, 65, is another African name with the potential to succeed Francis.

As president of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, led the rejection of Pope Francis’ recent initiative that allowed the blessing of same -sex couples.

Capuchin friar, is seen as a strong traditionalist voice with a firm African support.

José Tolentino de Mendonça, 59 years old (Portugal)

We cannot leave out Portuguese cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, the young candidate who arises among those to Pope Francis successor in the leadership of the Catholic Church.

The also poet It is seen as a Modernist voice Within the Catholic Church, a ward where it has been affirmed as an important figure.

His influence increased even more in 2022, when Pope Francis named him Mayor of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

This Monday, Pope Francis’ Death Day, the Cardinal Américo Aguiar quickly pushed the subject To conversation with Cristina Ferreira, on TVI: “I think today is not the most important subject,” he replied when asked about the possibility of the election of a Portuguese Pope.

High secretism to choose high pontiff

The election in the conclave (from Latin ‘cum clavis’ or closed to the key) is defined even to the tiny details in the Apostolic Constitution University Dominici Gregis, revised by John Paul II in 1996, and is Secret.

The system of closing the cardinals began at the Lyon II Council (1274), convened by Pope Gregory X, and today the also designated “Princes of the Church” are Forbidden to exchange letters, messages or call someone from abroad, as well as reading newspapers, listening to radio or watching television As long as the meeting lasts, to avoid pressures.

The obligation to keep secret extends to all the Vatican employees who serve the cardinals during this period or who have access to the places in which they are Who violates the rules will be punishedit can even be expelled from the Catholic Church.

“All Out”: the Mass for the Election

The Assembly of Cardinal Voters is preceded by the Mass “for selecting Pontiff” (for the election of the pontiff), in which the cardinals ask for spiritual support in choosing the new Pope. On the afternoon of that day, the prelates headed in solemn procession to the Sistine Chapel, where the meeting takes place, invoking with the song “Veni Creator Spiritus” (Creator Spirit) the assistance of the Holy Spirit.

At the site of scrutiny, one by one and in a predetermined sequence, swear with their right hand on the Bible to keep a secret about the discussions regarding the election, before sitting in the places they will occupy during the conclave.

The cardinals will also have to hear a speech about the choice they will make and hope that the ecclesiastical who made it and the master of Pontifical celebrations abandon the room in the order of this “Extra omnes” (all outside, those who do not participate in scrutiny).

The doors of the room are closed, under the protection of the Swiss guard, the Vatican army, and the cardinals may then start the election.

Define the profile of the new “Pastor of Souls”

Before the conclave, all elements of the Cardinal College, currently 252, will have discussed the state of the church and Defined the profile of the new Popewhich should be a good “soul pastor”, theologian and diplomat, as well as speaking several languages, first of all the Italian, the official language of the Vatican.

Cardinals cannot declare themselves candidates and can only be considered as such by their peers during the electionnor are they allowed to reach agreements or make promises, abstain or vote for themselves.

To be elected the new Pope is a major majority of two thirdsbeing foreseen of two votes in the morning and two in the afternoon, after each two of them the voting newsletters are destroyed in a stove installed in the sistine chapel and the color of the burning smoke indicates the result, black if the scrutiny continues, white if the new leader of Catholics has been chosen.

If no one has been elected in the first three days of the conclave, a day of reflectionwhich will have to be followed by seven other inconclusive votes before only one absolute majority is required.