Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the focus now shifts to who will become the next head of the Catholic Church.
While technically any baptised Catholic man can be elected pope, the successor is almost always chosen from among the cardinals who meet in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel for the secret election known as the conclave.
There are no obvious frontrunners this time, but several names are circulating.
These candidates reflect the Church’s global nature and represent a range of views.
The main division seems to be between progressives who admired Pope Francis’s more open approach to social issues and conservatives who opposed his direction.
Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary is a strong candidate for conservatives.
He’s respected for his deep knowledge of Church law and is seen as someone who could bring structure after what some see as a period of leniency under Pope Francis.
On the liberal side, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines is often mentioned.
Known as “the Asian Francis,” he is humble and relatable, but some think his relatively young age could count against him, as a long papacy might limit opportunities for others.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, is also a serious contender.
He’s known for his diplomatic skill, especially during the Ukraine crisis.
However, a financial scandal during his time in office may hurt his chances.
Other names include Cardinal Jose Tolentino Calaca de Mendonca from Portugal, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi from Italy, and Cardinal Mario Grech from Malta, all of whom have varying degrees of connection to Pope Francis’s legacy.
From Africa, Cardinals Peter Turkson of Ghana and Robert Sarah of Guinea are also in the conversation.
Turkson could become the first black African pope, while Sarah is known for his traditional views.
Since Pope Francis appointed many of the cardinals who will vote, most of them come from outside Europe, particularly the global south.
This could influence the decision, as cardinals may look for someone who understands their regional challenges such as poverty, corruption, and climate change.
Still, the process is secretive and unpredictable, and as past elections have shown, predictions often miss the mark.
