Who will be the next pope? Here’s a list of some possible candidates to succeed Pope Francis.

Pope Francis’ demise on Monday, the day after Easter Sunday, began off a sequence of traditions that in a number of weeks will culminate in a vote for the following pope.

After Pope Francis is laid to relaxation, his successor will probably be determined by the Catholic Church’s Cardinal Electors, a bunch of about 135 cardinals underneath the age of 80, who’re anticipated to start their conclave in early to mid-Might to carry a secretive election for the following pontiff.

Over the past 600 years — since 1378 — cardinals have been chosen for the place, though eligibility technically extends to any male Roman Catholic who has been baptized.

Right here is take a look at a number of the cardinals thought-about potential contenders to turn out to be pope:

Cardinal Peter Erdo, archbishop of Budapest, Hungary

Cardinal Peter Erdo, a 72-year-old canon lawyer, is the very best rating Catholic chief in a rustic that’s 80% Christian. He’s identified for his help of the pope’s outreach to Orthodox Christians.

Erdo can also be on the conservative facet of the European cultural divide. On migration, a key subject for Hungary, he has conveyed a balanced strategy, recognizing the correct emigrate but additionally the significance of making certain political stability. 

Erdo is taken into account a traditionalist however can also be revered by liberals, which may make him a unifying drive inside the church. 

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, grew world consideration for main African bishops in unanimous rejection of “Fiducia Supplicans,” a declaration the Vatican issued in 2023 that included tips on the blessings of individuals in same-sex relationships.

At 65 years previous, he is called a supporter of orthodoxy and defends priestly celibacy and the Church’s ethical teachings. He’s also referred to as a promoter of social justice and a champion of the poor and unvoiced, and is outspoken in his criticism of the Congolese authorities. 

Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary basic for the Synod of Bishops

Cardinal Mario Grech, 68, is a canon lawyer who has main affect on how synods within the church are run. Supporters have praised him for main the cost in implementing a extra consultative and inclusive strategy to church governance. 

Grech comes from Malta, which is likely one of the smallest nations on the planet. 

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state 

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, is second-in-command on the Vatican and a profession diplomat who has persistently risen above any turbulence marking the preach. 

He’s thought to be a reasonable who, if elected, may restore rifts contained in the church. He’s additionally thought-about a progressive with a worldwide imaginative and prescient. 

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem 

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, is a pastoral candidate who has spoken out amid the Israel-Hamas struggle and visited Gaza throughout the battle. 

He’s a proponent of social justice and sees himself as a servant of the folks. He’s just like Francis in his concern for migrants, interfaith dialogue and his disdain for clericalism. 

Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines

Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, and pro-prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is called the “Asian Francis” for his missionary spirit in addition to his emphasis on caring for the poor and welcoming of LGBTQ and divorced and remarried Catholics.

He’s the previous archbishop of Manila, within the Philippines, which is likely one of the most Catholic nations on the continent of Asia, and studied within the U.S. for seven years. His election would sign a continuation of Francis’ preach. 

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna, Italy 

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69, is the president of the Italian bishops convention. He is called a “avenue priest” and missionary and needs a church that listens to the trustworthy and is keen to modernize. Zuppi is inclusive of same-sex {couples}, in addition to folks of various religions.

Francis selected Zuppi as his envoy to Russia and Ukraine, in addition to to the West Financial institution and Beijing, to advertise peace.  

Cardinal Anders Arborelius, archbishop of Stockholm 

Cardinal Anders Arborelius, 75, was raised Lutheran and transformed to Catholicism on the age of 20. He’s the primary ever cardinal from Scandinavia. 

He’s additionally a traditionalist on the church’s instructing on sexual ethics and gender, and has a robust concern for the setting. 

Arborelius has been a proponent of immigration into Sweden, calling for dialogue and integration as a substitute of restrictions.

Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec

Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Metropolitan Archbishop of Quebec, Canada, is 67 years previous. Earlier in his profession he spent years as a missionary and seminary professor in Colombia. 

He briefly stepped again from his duties amid sexual abuse allegations, which he denied, and returned to his duties final yr after a church-led investigation discovered no proof of misconduct.

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