On April 21, 2025, the Vatican officially announced the passing of Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace, at the age of 88. Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Pope from Latin America and the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, left a profound legacy of bold reforms aimed at bringing the Church back to the spirit of the Second Vatican Council.
During his 12 years in office, he emphasized serving the poor, protecting the environment, and promoting interreligious dialogue. His passing marks a period of reflection and prayer for the global Catholic Church, as the more than 1.3 billion faithful worldwide prepare to elect a new pope.
According to Church rules, after a pope dies, the College of Cardinals gathers at the Vatican for a secret meeting, or conclave, to elect a successor. The meeting is held in secrecy and prayer, with 135 cardinals under the age of 80 voting, according to Wikipedia.
The process could last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the consensus of the electors. While the outcome of the election is unpredictable, several names have been mentioned in recent discussions as potential candidates for the throne of St. Peter.
The Papal Election Process
The papal election process, or conclave, is an ancient tradition in the Catholic Church. After a pope dies or resigns, cardinals under the age of 80 gather in the Vatican, specifically in the Sistine Chapel, to vote.
The meeting is held in absolute secrecy, with the cardinals pledging to remain silent about what goes on inside. Each cardinal is given a ballot to drop into a ballot box, and after each round of voting, the ballots are burned.
If no candidate receives the required two-thirds of the vote, black smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the election is still inconclusive. When a candidate finally gets the required number of votes, white smoke rises, and bells ring to signal that a new pope has been elected, according to NPR.
During the conclave, the cardinals will live in the Saint Martha Guest House, which Pope Francis has also chosen as his residence instead of the opulent Apostolic Palace. This is part of the commitment to simplicity and closeness to the people that Pope Francis has shown throughout his leadership.
This election is not just a political event but also a spiritual one, where the cardinals believe they are being guided by the Holy Spirit to choose the right leader for the Church.
Potential Candidates
Here is a list of nine cardinals who are considered potential candidates, based on a report from Reuters:
1. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, France, is known for his ideological closeness to Pope Francis. He was entrusted by the Pope with the important task of organizing the Mediterranean meetings, where religious and civil leaders discuss issues of immigration and peace.
Nicknamed “John XXIV,” Cardinal Aveline is seen as a potential successor to Pope Francis’ reforms, especially in dialogue with other religions and support for migrants. If elected, he would be the first French pope since the 14th century, something many believe could bring a new perspective to the Church.
2. Cardinal Peter Erdo
Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary is a prominent figure in the College of Cardinals thanks to his extensive knowledge of Church law and his ability to speak several languages, including Italian, German, French, Spanish, and Russian. Although considered conservative, he has shown flexibility in cooperating with Pope Francis’ reforms.
As President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, he has made an important contribution to promoting dialogue between Christian churches and addressing social issues in Europe. His presence on the papal list reflects the balance the Church is seeking between tradition and innovation.
3. Cardinal Mario Grech
Cardinal Mario Grech is one of the pioneers of Pope Francis’ reforms, especially regarding the inclusion of the LGBT community. Hailing from Malta, a small EU country, he is known for his ability to find consensus and was a key figure in the restructuring of Patriarchal meetings.
As Patriarchal Missionary Secretary, he has been instrumental in promoting the participation of the laity in Church decision-making.
4. Cardinal Juan Jose Omella
Cardinal Juan Jose Omella focuses on social justice and pastoral care. As a member of Pope Francis’s close advisory group, he has been instrumental in addressing the issue of sexual abuse in the Church.
With his leadership experience in Barcelona, he is known for his commitment to serving the poor and promoting social justice.
5. Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Cardinal Pietro Parolin is considered a “vice pope” due to his role as Vatican Secretary of State. He is a compromise candidate with extensive diplomatic experience, having played an architect role in the Vatican-China deal.
Fluent in several languages, he is likely to maintain stability and continue Pope Francis’ reforms.
6. Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle
Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle is known as the “Asian Francis” because of his thought and style, which are close to Pope Francis. If elected, he could become the first Asian Pope.
With strong pastoral and administrative experience, he is fluent in Italian and English, and is known for his ability to connect with Christian communities around the world, according to Al Jazeera.
7. Cardinal Joseph Tobin
Cardinal Joseph Tobin could become the first American Pope, although this is considered unlikely. He handled the McCarrick scandal and has an open attitude towards the LGBT community.
Fluent in Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, he is likely to connect with Christian communities around the world.
8. Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson
Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson could become the first African pope from sub-Saharan Africa. He is known for his communication skills and comes from a region where the Church is growing.
As head of the Vatican’s social and scientific academies, he has made important contributions to promoting interreligious dialogue and addressing global issues.
9. Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi has been called the “Italian Bergoglio” for his commitment to migrants and the poor. He has also been involved in diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine. If elected, he would be the first Italian pope since 1978.
The Importance of Prayer and Communion
While the world awaits the results of the election, Catholics around the world are praying together. They asked the Holy Spirit to enlighten the Cardinals, to help them choose a Pope who can continue the work of renewal and service begun by Pope Francis. Whoever is elected, the important thing is that the Church will continue to maintain communion and unity under the guidance of Christ.
The prayer of the faithful is for a Pope who can bring hope and light to the world, especially in difficult times like the present. They believe that, although humans may make mistakes, the Holy Spirit is always present and guides the Church. With faith and hope, Catholics around the world are looking to the Vatican, awaiting good news about the new Pope, who will be their common father in the journey of faith.
