Who Will Be the Next Pope

Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, just a day after blessing thousands in St. Peter’s Square, the Catholic Church now faces a moment of profound transition.

The papal conclave a solemn and secretive gathering of cardinals will soon begin in the Vatican to elect the next spiritual leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.

The legacy of Pope Francis looms large: a pope of paradoxes, he modeled humility while driving bold institutional reform.

As the cardinals prepare for their sacred task, the question remains—who will carry his vision forward?

Here are some of the most discussed contenders.

Pietro Parolin, 70 (Italy

Widely regarded as the frontrunner if the cardinals lean toward continuity, Cardinal Pietro Parolin currently serves as the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

A seasoned diplomat, Parolin has represented the Holy See across continents, championing peace and dialogue.

As a close confidant of Pope Francis, his election would signal a desire to uphold the diplomatic outreach and reformist tone of the late pontiff.

His reputation for mediation and firmness under pressure has positioned him as a stabilizing choice.

Matteo Zuppi, 69 (Italy)

Dubbed the “people’s cardinal,” Archbishop Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference and Archbishop of Bologna, is seen as one of the most progressive candidates.

Zuppi’s pastoral style echoes Francis’s emphasis on mercy and social justice. His work with the Community of Sant’Egidio and peace mediation efforts—from Mozambique in the 1990s to the Ukraine conflict today—underscore his commitment to global engagement.

José Tolentino de Mendonça, 59 (Portugal)

A rising star in the Vatican, Cardinal Tolentino is the Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education and a respected theologian-poet.

His intellectual depth and spiritual writings have earned him admiration within the Church.

Seen as a bridge between tradition and modernity, he represents the cultural wing of the Francis papacy—committed to engaging art, dialogue, and faith in a changing world.

Péter Erdő, 72 (Hungary)

A veteran of the last conclave, Erdő is a conservative voice with deep theological grounding. As former President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, he brings experience and a strong doctrinal stance.

His election would represent a shift back toward traditionalism—a sharp contrast to Francis’s pastoral openness.

Cristóbal López Romero, 72 (Spain)

As Archbishop of Rabat in Morocco, Cardinal López Romero has dedicated his ministry to Muslim-Christian relations and interfaith harmony.

With roots in Latin America and missionary work across Africa, he embodies the Church’s growing global character.

His election would emphasize outreach to non-Christian communities and highlight the Church’s presence on the geographical and spiritual periphery.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 59 (Italy)

Currently the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa has become a central figure in the Middle East.

His leadership during the Israel-Hamas conflict and recent celebration of Mass in war-torn Gaza underscore his commitment to presence amid crisis.

A symbol of Christian resilience in conflict zones, he brings a voice shaped by urgent realities on the ground.

Could the Next Pope Come from Africa?

While no African candidate is currently seen as a frontrunner, speculation continues about the potential for a historic shift.

With Catholicism booming across the continent, many believe Africa’s time will come—and soon.

Names like Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana have been floated in previous conclaves, and the Church’s demographic center is undeniably tilting south.

The papal conclave a solemn and secretive gathering of cardinals will soon begin in the Vatican to elect the next spiritual leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.