Cliff Notes
- The potential candidates to succeed Pope Francis include Pietro Parolin, Matteo Zuppi, and Jose Tolentino de Mendonca, reflecting varying levels of experience and progressive views within the Vatican.
- Pietro Parolin is considered the frontrunner, known for his diplomatic skills and strong ties to the late pontiff, while Matteo Zuppi is noted for his mediation efforts in conflict zones.
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By Simone Baglivo, Europe producer in the Vatican City
It’s very hard to predict who the next Pope might be.
Pope Francis himself did not want to be the pontiff, as he revealed after being elected.
According to what Sky News understands, these are some possible candidates:
Pietro Parolin, 70
If the next pontiff is Italian, Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, is widely considered the frontrunner.
A well-known diplomat and a powerful figure at the Vatican, he was sent across the world to bring the Pope’s voice to difficult areas.
He was a close ally to the late pontiff, and his mediation skills and strong personality would make him capable of continuing the reforms started by Pope Francis.
Matteo Zuppi, 69
The president of the Episcopal Conference of Italy and Archbishop of Bologna is another likely candidate.
He was the Pope’s special envoy for the war in Ukraine, making trips to Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing and Washington.
Back in 1992, he also helped end the civil war in Mozambique while mediating the two-year-long Rome-based peace negotiations.
He has worked with the Community of Sant’Egidio, the prominent Catholic NGO dedicated to social service, and is regarded as the most progressive among the candidates.
Jose Tolentino de Mendonca, 59
The prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education is another possible candidate.
The Portuguese cardinal is also a member of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
He has published numerous collections of poems and spiritual writings. On 16 February, he stood in for Pope Francis during the Vatican’s Jubilee of Artists event.
Péter Erdo, 72
The Hungarian cardinal was mentioned as a likely papal candidate during the last conclave.
He has also served as the president of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe.
Cristobal Lopez Romero, 72
The Spanish Archbishop of Rabat moved to Morocco in 2003 after a long stint of pastoral work in Latin America, particularly in Paraguay.
He is a member of the Salesians – a congregation of men in the Catholic Church.
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 59
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem was made a cardinal by Pope Francis two years ago.
He has devoted himself to the Middle East, facing several crises, including the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Last Christmas, he celebrated mass at the Holy Family Church in Gaza.