With the passing of Pope Francis, 135 cardinals will enter conclave to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. 108 were appointed by Francis himself, making this one of the most globally diverse conclaves in history.
A Shift in the Church’s Direction
Pope Francis appointed cardinals from underrepresented regions like Tonga and South Sudan, bypassing traditional power centers. For the first time, non-Europeans are the majority of voters — raising the chance for a pope from Africa, Asia, or the Americas.
Top Contenders in Focus
Notable names include:
- Pietro Parolin (Italy): Vatican diplomat, criticized for his stance on same-sex marriage.
- Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Known as the “Asian Francis.”
- Fridolin Ambongo (Congo) and Peter Turkson (Ghana): Respected African voices.
- Robert Prevost (USA) and Reinhard Marx (Germany): Seen as reformists.
The Future of the Church
The next pope will need 90 votes and must address pressing global issues. As Cardinal McElroy said, Pope Francis’s impact was “his pastoral approach.” The question now: Will the next pope continue that legacy?