Who will be the New Pope? Pope Francis dies, Vatican to Elect New Pope
Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the Vatican is preparing to elect a new pope through the traditional papal conclave process. The conclave, which involves about 135 cardinal electors under the age of 80, is expected to begin in early to mid-May. These cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel, take an oath of secrecy, and vote in multiple rounds until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority.
Leading Candidates for the New Pope
Several cardinals have emerged as frontrunners, each representing different visions for the future of the Catholic Church:
Cardinal Peter Erdő (Hungary, 72 years old)
Erdő is a conservative canon lawyer and the archbishop of Budapest. He is respected across both conservative and liberal factions and is seen as a potential unifying figure. Erdő has a balanced stance on migration and is known for his support of outreach to Orthodox Christians. His pragmatic approach and extensive Church ties in Europe and Africa make him a strong contender.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy, 70 years old)
As the Vatican Secretary of State since 2013, Parolin is considered a moderate and a compromise candidate between progressives and conservatives. He has a strong diplomatic background, having negotiated with countries like China and Venezuela. Parolin is known for his gentle demeanor and multilingual abilities, which could help restore an Italian pope after three non-Italian pontiffs. However, he has limited pastoral experience.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines, 67 years old)
Tagle is often called the “Asian Francis” for his progressive stance on social justice and evangelization. He has extensive pastoral experience and currently leads the Dicastery for Evangelisation. Tagle would be the first Asian pope if elected. Despite some controversy related to allegations during his leadership of Caritas Internationalis, he remains a favored candidate to continue Pope Francis’s progressive legacy.
Cardinal Mario Grech (Malta, 68 years old)
Grech is a supporter of Pope Francis’s reforms and advocates for the Church to adapt to societal changes, including greater acceptance of LGBT individuals. His high-profile Vatican role and network among cardinals make him a notable candidate, though his progressive views have drawn criticism from conservatives.
Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana)
Turkson is a prominent advocate for social justice and environmental issues. His election would mark a significant milestone as the first African pope in centuries. He is also considered a progressive candidate.
Cardinal Angelo Scola (Italy, 82 years old)
Scola is a traditionalist and was a favorite in the 2013 conclave. His advanced age may be a limiting factor, but he remains a respected figure among conservatives.
Election Process and Timeline
The conclave will proceed with multiple rounds of secret ballots until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority. After each round, ballots are burned; black smoke indicates no decision, while white smoke signals the election of a new pope. Once elected, the new pope accepts the position, chooses a papal name, and is announced from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
No pope has been chosen yet, and predicting the outcome is uncertain. The new pope will shape the Church’s direction, potentially continuing Pope Francis’s progressive reforms or steering it toward more traditional stances. The leading candidates include Cardinals Peter Erdő, Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, Mario Grech, Peter Turkson, and Angelo Scola, each bringing different strengths and visions to the role.
The Catholic Church is in the midst of a historic transition, and the conclave in the coming weeks will determine who will succeed Pope Francis as the next spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide.
