Speculation Surrounds Papal Conclave as 15 Cardinals Emerge as Potential Successors to Pope Francis

With the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor set to begin this week in May 2025, the secretive process, devoid of official campaigns or candidate lists, has sparked widespread speculation about the next leader of the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion faithful. While no clear frontrunner has emerged, 15 cardinals from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas are considered “papabili” (potential popes), each bringing distinct backgrounds and perspectives to the table.

Europe: Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, Vatican Secretary of State and Francis’s de facto deputy, is a leading contender, known for his diplomatic finesse, multilingual skills, and role in the 2018 Vatican-China bishops’ agreement. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has gained prominence for his peace appeals amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Matteo Maria Zuppi, 69, Archbishop of Bologna, is noted for his work with the poor and as Francis’s Ukraine peace envoy, while Claudio Gugerotti, 69, an Eastern Churches expert, brings diplomatic experience. Jean-Marc Aveline, 66, Archbishop of Marseille, advocates for migrants and interreligious dialogue, and Anders Arborelius, 75, Sweden’s first cardinal, emphasizes traditional doctrine. Mario Grech, 68, from Malta, is a potential compromise candidate, and Peter Erdo, 72, from Hungary, is a canon law expert with conservative leanings. Jean-Claude Hollerich, 66, a Jesuit from Luxembourg, balances dogma with calls for Church adaptation.

Asia: Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, is a charismatic moderate, vocal on poverty and Church accountability, seen as Asia’s top contender. Charles Maung Bo, 76, Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, has championed peace and the Rohingya minority in a conflict-torn nation.

Africa: Peter Turkson, 76, from Ghana, a longtime papal envoy, is a prominent candidate for Africa’s first pope, with a focus on human rights. Robert Sarah, 79, from Guinea, appeals to conservatives but is considered too polarizing due to his opposition to progressive reforms. Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a vocal conservative and leader of African bishops, positioning Africa as the Church’s future.

Americas: Robert Francis Prevost, 69, a U.S.-born cardinal and former missionary in Peru, heads the Dicastery for Bishops, while Timothy Dolan, 75, Archbishop of New York, is a conservative known for engaging Hispanic Catholics.

The conclave, expected to start around May 6, will see 135 cardinal electors, 108 appointed by Francis, deliberate in the Sistine Chapel. The outcome remains unpredictable, with factors like age, ideology, and global representation shaping the choice of the next pontiff.