After Pope Francis died at the age of 88, speculation has emerged about who will become the next leader of the Catholic Church.
When the Cardinal gathered in Rome for the Papal Council, several prominent figures became potential successors, representing a range of ideologies, geography and visions of the church’s future.
Peter Tookson (76)
Turkusen was born in Ghana and was a leader during the 2013 conference. If elected, he would become the first black pope.
He is known for his moderate stance on social issues, criticizing Africa’s severe anti-LGBTQ+ laws while also defending local cultural views.
Luis Antonio Tager (67)
The former Archbishop of Manila is regarded as a candidate for liberals and a favorite among reformist Catholics.
He argues that the church is more sympathetic to homosexuals and divorced individuals. If elected, Tagle will be the first Asian pope.
Pietro Parolin (70)
Currently, Vatican Secretary of State Parolin is considered a continuity candidate. While modest, he faced criticism for his role in the controversial 2018 Vatican-China Agreement and called same-sex marriage a “Failed for humanity.”
Peter Eldo (72)
Erdo is a firm conservative in Hungary who opposes the granting of communion to Catholics with divorced and remarried. If elected, he would be the second pope of the former Eastern Group.
Jose Tolentino deMendonça (59)
Tolentino, from Madeira, Portugal, is the youngest among the main candidates. He has held several positions in the Vatican and advocated modern participation and encouraged scholars to interact with contemporary culture.
Matteo Zuppi (69)
The Archbishop of Bologna of Zuppi was once the Vatican envoy of peace. He was appointed as a 2019 by Pope Francis and is regarded as a compassionate, peace-oriented candidate.
Mario Grinder (68)
From Malta, Grech supported Pope Francis’ efforts to make the church more inclusive. He encouraged the church to adopt a more enthusiastic language for LGBTQ+ individuals and divorcees.
Robert Sarah (79)
Former conservative principals from Guinea, France, have long held a key role in the Vatican. While he has the potential to be the first black pope, his age and hardline views, including condemning gender ideology, may hinder his candidacy.
