The death of Pope Francis has set in motion one of the most closely watched events in global religion — the election of the next pope. With 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, the choice is more than symbolic. It could define the Church’s direction for decades to come.
What makes this conclave different? For the first time, fewer than half of the voting cardinals are European. More than 80% were appointed by Francis himself. But that doesn’t mean consensus — his appointments include both progressives and traditionalists. And so, the race remains wide open.
Here are four of the most discussed candidates, each offering a different vision of Catholic leadership.
Pietro Parolin – The Vatican Insider
Nationality: Italian | Age: 70
Cardinal Pietro Parolin knows the corridors of power in the Vatican better than most. As secretary of state under Pope Francis, he acted as the pontiff’s chief adviser and headed the Church’s central administration.
Diplomatic and discreet, Parolin is often seen as a stabilising figure. Supporters say he brings a global outlook and years of experience in delicate negotiations. Critics, however, fear he might favour compromise over doctrine.
Parolin has opposed same-sex marriage, calling Ireland’s 2015 vote in favour of it “a defeat for humanity.” Though well-placed, he may struggle against growing calls for a pope from outside Europe.
Luis Antonio Tagle – The “Asian Francis”
Nationality: Filipino | Age: 67
Charismatic and deeply pastoral, Cardinal Tagle has long been seen as a rising star. Often dubbed the “Asian Francis,” he has championed compassion over condemnation and spoken out on behalf of migrants, the poor, and the marginalised.
The Philippines is a Catholic stronghold, and Tagle’s rise reflects the Church’s growing centre of gravity in the Global South. He holds traditional views on abortion and euthanasia but has urged the Church to show greater understanding toward LGBTQ+ people, divorcees, and single mothers.
In 2015, he warned that harsh treatment had caused “deep wounds,” urging the Church to treat all individuals with dignity.
Fridolin Ambongo Besungu – A Voice from the Heart of Africa
Nationality: Congolese | Age: 65
From Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cardinal Ambongo represents a region where Catholicism is expanding rapidly.
A strong cultural conservative, he has spoken against same-sex marriage, calling such unions “intrinsically evil” under African cultural and religious norms.
Still, Ambongo has shown an openness to interfaith cooperation. “Let Protestants be Protestants and Muslims be Muslims,” he said in 2020. “We are going to work with them.” His leadership under pressure — particularly amid violence from Islamist rebels — has earned him respect across the Church.
Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson – A Steady Hand with Global Appeal
Nationality: Ghanaian | Age: 76
Cardinal Turkson has been a major figure in Vatican life for over two decades. He was the first Ghanaian cardinal and a favourite in the 2013 conclave that ultimately elected Francis.
Though deeply rooted in Catholic orthodoxy, Turkson has surprised some with progressive stances. He’s opposed anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Ghana and has spoken out against the criminalisation of homosexuality. At the same time, he has warned against reducing papal selection to identity politics.
“Don’t choose a pope by statistics,” he told the BBC, calling for spiritual discernment over demographic logic.
What’s at Stake
This conclave offers a rare chance to reflect the Church’s global reach. Whether the cardinals opt for continuity or change, the next pope will inherit complex challenges — from declining attendance in Europe to persecution in parts of Africa and tensions over doctrine worldwide.
As ever, predictions are risky. “He who enters the conclave a pope, leaves as a cardinal,” the Italian saying goes. But one thing is clear: the next leader of the Catholic Church will shape not only its future, but how it speaks to a world in flux.
