Who will be the next pope?
Who might become the next pope? The choice could significantly influence the future of the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion members around the globe.
The selection process is expected to be both unpredictable and wide open for several reasons.
The College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel for a conclave, where they will discuss and cast votes until a consensus is reached on a single candidate.
With around 80% of the current voting cardinals having been appointed by next pope Francis, this will be their first opportunity to choose a new next pope. Their diverse backgrounds offer a more global outlook than ever before.
For the first time in the Church’s history, European cardinals will constitute less than half of the electorate in a papal conclave. Although most of the cardinals were named by Francis, they do not easily fall into the categories of “liberal” or “conservative.”
Church’s History
As a result, forecasting the outcome is more challenging than in previous elections. Will the cardinals choose a pope from Africa or Asia? Or will they lean toward someone with experience within the Vatican hierarchy?
A number of possible successors to Pope Francis are already being discussed, and more names are expected to emerge in the days ahead.
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Pietro Parolin
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Nationality: Italian
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Age: 70
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a soft-spoken Italian, serves as the Vatican’s secretary of state under Pope Francis, effectively acting as his top advisor. As part of this position, he also oversees the Roman Curia, which serves as the central administrative body of the Church.
Church’s Leadership Continues
Given his position as a close collaborator of the Pope, many see him as a leading contender.
Some observers believe he would emphasize diplomacy and a global perspective over strict adherence to Catholic doctrine. To his critics, this is a point of concern; to his supporters, it is one of his key strengths.
Cardinal Parolin has expressed opposition to the legalization of same-sex marriage, calling Ireland’s groundbreaking 2015 vote in support of it “a defeat for humanity.”
Despite being favored by betting odds, Parolin is probably aware of an old Italian saying that highlights the uncertainty of papal elections: “He who enters the conclave as pope, leaves it as a cardinal.”
Historically, 213 out of 266 popes have been Italian. Yet, despite this legacy, and the fact that there hasn’t been an Italian pope in four decades, the Church’s leadership continues to move away from its traditional Italian and European base-suggesting the next pontiff may come from elsewhere.
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Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle
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Nationality: Filipino
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Age: 67
Is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on track to become the first pope from Asia?
In contrast to Cardinal Parolin, Tagle brings with him extensive pastoral experience—having spent much of his career engaged directly with communities rather than in Vatican diplomacy or Church legal affairs.
The Catholic Church has significant influence in the Philippines, where about 80% of the population is Catholic. The country currently boasts a record five cardinals in the College of Cardinals, which could create a powerful faction supporting Tagle.
Seen as a centrist by Church standards, Cardinal Tagle has earned the nickname “the Asian Francis” due to his commitment to social justice and his empathy for migrants—qualities he shared with the late next pope Francis.
He aligns with the Church’s official stance on abortion, describing it as “a form of murder,” and has also voiced opposition to euthanasia.
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Yet in 2015, while serving as Archbishop of Manila, Tagle urged the Church to reflect on its traditionally harsh treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, divorcees, and single mothers. He acknowledged that such severity had caused deep wounds, making people feel “branded,” and emphasized that everyone deserves dignity and compassion.
Tagle’s name was already being floated as a possible papal candidate during the 2013 conclave that ultimately chose Francis.
When asked about speculation surrounding his potential to become next pope, he responded with humor: “I treat it like a joke! It’s funny.”
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Fridolin Ambongo Besungu
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Nationality: Congolese
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Age: 65
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
There’s a strong possibility that the next pope could come from Africa, where the Catholic Church is experiencing rapid growth and gaining millions of new followers. One leading candidate is Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Cardinal Ambongo has served as the Archbishop of Kinshasa for the past seven years and was elevated to the rank of cardinal by next pope Francis.
He is known for his culturally conservative views, including a firm opposition to same-sex union blessings. He has described such relationships as “contrary to cultural values and inherently wrong.
While Christianity is the dominant faith in the DRC, believers have often been targeted by violent groups linked to the Islamic State. In this context, Cardinal Ambongo is recognized as a strong defender of the Catholic community. Despite his traditional stance, he has shown openness to religious coexistence.
In a 2020 interview, he stated, “Let Protestants be Protestants and Muslims be Muslims.”
We will collaborate, but everyone must maintain their own identity.” This perspective on interfaith cooperation may lead some within the College of Cardinals to question whether he fully aligns with the evangelizing mission traditionally embraced by the Church-spreading Catholic teachings globally.
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Peter Kodwo Appiah
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Turkson Nationality: Ghanaian
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Age: 76.
If chosen, Cardinal Peter Turkson would make history as the first African next pope in more than 1,500 years, marking a significant milestone for the Catholic Church. Similar to Cardinal Ambongo, Turkson has expressed reluctance about taking on the papacy.
Cardinal Peter Turkson
“I’m not sure anyone truly desires to become next pope,” he said in a 2013 interview with the BBC. When asked whether Africa’s growing Catholic population makes a strong case for an African next pope, he cautioned against basing the decision on numbers alone, noting that such factors could “muddy the waters.”
Cardinal Turkson made history as the first Ghanaian appointed to the College of Cardinals in 2003 by next pope John Paul II. He was among the prominent names considered during the 2013 conclave that elected next pope Francis. At that time, he was considered the frontrunner by many bookmakers.
African Countries
Known for his vibrant personality, Turkson is also a musician-he once played guitar in a funk band. While he generally holds traditional views, particularly in line with other African cardinals, he has taken a more progressive stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
He has publicly opposed the criminalization of same-sex relationships in African countries, including Ghana. During a 2023 NewsFastTv interview, as Ghana debated strict anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, Turkson stated that he did not believe homosexuality should be considered a criminal offense.
In 2012, he faced criticism for remarks at a Vatican synod, where he warned about the growing influence of Islam in Europe-comments he later apologized for.
