About two weeks after the passing of Pope Francis on the 21st, the conclave for electing a new pope is expected to begin. The pope, who leads the global Catholic Church with its 1.4 billion adherents, is known as the “Bishop of Rome” and is chosen by the cardinals, often referred to as the princes of the church.
Among the strong candidates is Cardinal Péter Erdő (72), the Archbishop of Budapest, Hungary. He was elected twice as the President of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe in 2005 and 2011, indicating his recognition among European cardinals who hold significant sway in the papal election. Erdő also organized family-related meetings in 2014 and 2015 under Pope Francis.
Cardinal Reinhard Marx (71), the Archbishop of Munich, Germany, was chosen as a key advisor to the pope in 2013. He was the head of the Vatican’s Council for the Economy and demonstrated a reformist approach in tackling clerical sexual abuse scandals, a major issue for the church.
Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet (80) led the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops for over a decade, playing a crucial role in selecting bishops. Although somewhat conservative, he had the trust of Pope Francis, serving in this role until 2023 and maintaining strong ties with the South American church.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70) of Italy has been the Vatican’s Secretary of State since 2014, making him a prominent candidate. However, the recent focus on diversity within the Church means his Italian nationality might not be an advantage.
American Cardinal Robert Prevost (69) could break the taboo surrounding an “American pope” due to the geopolitical influence of the United States. Born in Chicago, he could become the first American pope, having served as the Archbishop of Peru and, since 2023, the head of the Dicastery for Bishops. He also leads the Latin American Episcopal Council, a region with the largest Catholic population worldwide.
Guinea’s Cardinal Robert Sarah (80) is a long-time contender as an African pope, having retired as the head of the Congregation for Divine Worship. He is known for his conservative views.
Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn (80), the Archbishop of Vienna and a former close advisor to the conservative Pope Benedict XVI, supported Pope Francis’s progressive family doctrines.
Philippine Cardinal Luis Tagle (67) is considered the first Asian papal candidate. Pope Francis appointed the former Archbishop of Manila as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (69) from Italy, Archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, was appointed as Pope Francis’s peace envoy for the Ukraine war, playing a crucial role in interfaith dialogues. He is known for his progressive stance.
Pope Francis was elected at the age of 76, and notably, John Paul II, a strong and popular pope, was not listed as a leading candidate before entering the conclave in 1978.