Pope Francis’ Death Sparks Global Mourning and Speculation Over His Successor
The death of Pope Francis on April 21 has plunged the Catholic Church into mourning while also setting in motion the search for his successor. As attention turns to who will take on the papacy, a list of 15 leading contenders — known as the papabili — has emerged, spanning regions from Europe and Asia to Africa and the Americas.
Though not exhaustive, the list includes high-profile cardinals with varying backgrounds in diplomacy, theology, and pastoral work. Here are some of the frontrunners:
Europe
- Pietro Parolin (Italy, 70): Vatican Secretary of State and Pope Francis’ close collaborator, known for global diplomacy and the 2018 China-Vatican agreement.
- Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy, 60): Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem; a vocal advocate for peace in the Middle East.
- Matteo Zuppi (Italy, 69): Archbishop of Bologna and peace envoy to Ukraine; known for grassroots work and social advocacy.
- Claudio Gugerotti (Italy, 69): Prefect for Eastern Churches; expert on Eastern Europe and former Vatican ambassador.
- Jean-Marc Aveline (France, 66): Archbishop of Marseille; promotes interreligious dialogue and migrant rights.
- Anders Arborelius (Sweden, 75): First Swedish cardinal; conservative on doctrine, progressive on migration.
- Mario Grech (Malta, 68): Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops; balancing reform and tradition.
- Peter Erdo (Hungary, 72): Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest; canon law scholar with links to Hungary’s nationalist government.
- Jean-Claude Hollerich (Luxembourg, 67): Jesuit and advocate for youth involvement and environmental protection.
Asia
- Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines, 67): Former Archbishop of Manila; charismatic, moderate, and a leading voice for the poor.
- Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar, 76): Vocal advocate for peace, human rights, and dialogue in conflict-ridden Myanmar.
Africa
- Peter Turkson (Ghana, 76) was the chancellor of two Vatican academies and is often mentioned as a potential first Black pope.
- Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (DR Congo, 65): Member of Francis’ Council of Cardinals; outspoken about Africa’s role in the Church’s future.
Americas
- Robert Francis Prevost (USA, 69): Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops; experienced in Latin America and Church governance.
- Timothy Dolan (USA, 75): Archbishop of New York; conservative theologian and public figure known for his outreach.
While any of these figures could become the next pope, the conclave may also surprise the world with a lesser-known candidate — as it did with Francis in 2013.
