After Pope Francis's Death at 88, Who Will Be the Next Leader of the World’s 1.3 Billion Catholics?

After Pope Francis's Death at 88, Who Will Be the Next Leader of the World’s 1.3 Billion Catholics?
Vatican City, April 22

According to a Reuters report, following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the process of electing a new pope through the conclave is about to begin. The question of who will become the next spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholic Christians is now at the center of global discussion.

Although an old Italian proverb warns, "He who enters the conclave as a pope hopeful exits as a cardinal," certain cardinals are already being seriously considered as potential successors—commonly referred to as the “papabili.”

Below is an alphabetical list of some of the most talked-about papal candidates:

🔹 Jean-Marc Aveline (66), France
The Archbishop of Marseille, Aveline is often imagined by French media as “John XXIV,” in homage to Pope John XXIII, who initiated Church reforms in the 1960s. Aveline is known for his closeness to Francis’s ideals—especially on migration and interfaith dialogue, including relations with the Muslim world. However, his limited fluency in Italian could pose a challenge.

🔹 Cardinal Péter Erdő (72), Hungary
Known as a traditional conservative, Erdő has been active across Europe and Africa in church networks. His stance on immigration has sparked controversy, particularly when he opposed Francis’s 2015 appeal to church communities to shelter refugees. Nonetheless, he is a skilled diplomat and fluent in five languages, including Italian.

🔹 Cardinal Mario Grech (68), Malta
The Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Grech began his career as a conservative but has since become a strong supporter of Pope Francis’s reformist agenda. He is known for advocating consensus and dialogue-based decision-making within the Church.

🔹 Cardinal Juan José Omella (79), Spain
The Archbishop of Barcelona, Omella is a close ally of Pope Francis. A former missionary in Africa, he has been deeply involved in anti-poverty efforts. Although his age might be a limitation, his extensive experience and strong record make him a noteworthy candidate.

🔹 Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70), Italy
Currently serving as the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Parolin is considered a bridge between progressives and conservatives. With years of diplomatic experience and a central role in the Vatican’s internal governance since 2013, he is seen as a formidable papabile with strong international credentials.

Analysts suggest that the upcoming papal election will play a pivotal role in shaping the Church's future—whether it continues along Pope Francis’s reformist path or pivots toward a more conservative vision.

The Vatican has yet to announce when the conclave will begin and how many cardinals will participate.