AS Pope Francis battles double pneumonia, questions arise about the future of the Catholic Church and his potential successor.
Pope Francis’ condition with the onset of ‘bilateral pneumonia’— having it on both his lungs— poses “a complexity for the Catholic Church” as the 88-year old pontiff was hospitalized in Rome, according to the Vatican.
Although Catholics are still hoping for the best, the Pope’s condition has cast a shadow of uncertainty over his health. As a result, several prominent cardinals are being considered as potential successors should his condition worsen.
From Africa, Asia, Europe, and America, we give to you the list of cardinal frontrunners for the papacy!
Next pope from the Philippines?
Asia’s leading papal candidate hails from the Philippines, a predominantly Christian nation in a region where Islam and Buddhism are more prevalent.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 66, is known for his charisma, pastoral approach, and close alignment with Pope Francis’ progressive vision.
Photo Courtesy: Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle
Tagle previously served as the Archbishop of Manila (2011–2019) before being appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. In 2020, he was elevated to cardinal-bishop, further solidifying his influence in Church governance.
Tagle is only the seventh Filipino to be elevated to cardinal. He was appointed cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, the vast majority of popes have hailed from Europe. Out of the 266 popes to date, 217 originated from regions within modern-day Italy. This is 51.8 percent of the popes.
If we are to consider the other European countries in the tally like France, Germany, Spain and the others, the percentage would be up to 94.7 percent.
If Tagle is elected, he would become the first pope not just from the Philippines but in the whole Asia— a rare sight for the region.
Next pope from Europe?
With the statistics given above, It is not surprising if the next pope would come from Europe once again.
In fact, five of the leading frontrunners hail from the same continent where the Vatican is located.
The first one was Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy. At 70 years old, the Vatican’s Secretary of State served under Pope Francis and has been a favorite among the bookmakers.
Photo Courtesy: Vatican News
Cardinal Parolin is regarded as a political moderate with a strong background in Vatican diplomacy. Over his career, he served in the Holy See’s diplomatic wing, including postings in the Nunciatures of Nigeria and Mexico.
In 2014, Pope Francis elevated him to the rank of cardinal. If elected, Parolin would likely continue Francis’ legacy.
Another from Europe was Cardinal Wim Eijk of the Netherlands at 71 years old.
Photo Courtesy: Catholic News Agency
Cardinal Willem Jacobus “Wim” Eijk is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Utrecht. Before his ecclesiastical career, he earned a medical degree from the University of Amsterdam in 1978 and worked as a physician specializing in internal medicine.
In 2015, Eijk co-authored Eleven Cardinals Speak on Marriage and the Family: Essays from a Pastoral Viewpoint, a collection of essays opposing Pope Francis’ stance on civil remarriages without annulment.
In his contribution, Eijk described such unions as “a form of structured and institutionalized adultery.”
He has also been a vocal critic of Pope Francis’ handling of the German Bishops’ Conference’s proposal to allow Protestants to receive the Eucharist in Catholic churches. In an editorial, he condemned the pope’s decision on the matter as “completely incomprehensible.”
Eijk was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
The 72-year-old Cardinal Péter Erdő from Hungary is also among the leading European contenders. He serves as the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and the Primate of Hungary. Ordained as a priest in 1975, he later earned doctorates in theology and canon law.
Photo Courtesy: Catholic World Report
A former president of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe and a devoted Marian, Erdő has long been an influential figure in the politics of the contemporary Church. A staunch conservative, he has opposed allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion, citing the doctrinal belief in the indissolubility of marriage.
Erdő has also been outspoken against European countries accepting refugees, arguing that it equates to human trafficking. His firm stance on doctrine and social issues has solidified his reputation as a key voice in the Church.
He was elevated to cardinal in 2003 by Pope John Paul II.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Mario Grech, 67, from Malta, is the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops and a key figure in Pope Francis’ vision for a more synodal and inclusive Church.
Photo Courtesy: Card Mario Grech
Previously the Bishop of Gozo (2005–2019) and President of the Maltese Episcopal Conference (2013–2016), he was made a cardinal in 2020.
Known for his moderate stance, he plays a crucial role in Church governance and reform efforts, making him a potential contender for the papacy.
Another one coming from Italy is Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi. Zuppi is an Italian prelate serving as the Archbishop of Bologna since 2015 and the President of the Italian Episcopal Conference since May 2022.
Zuppi has been involved with the Sant’Egidio Community, focusing on service to the disadvantaged and peace initiatives. Elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis in 2019, he is considered a key insider in the current Vatican and is highly favored by the Pope.
Next pope from the United States?
The United States has never had a pope. While a few American cardinals have been considered potential candidates in past papal elections, no pope has ever been elected from the US
But that might change as one of the frontrunners is Cardinal Raymond Burke, 76 from the United States of America.
Photo Courtesy: Vatican News
Burke is widely regarded as the Church’s leading arch-conservative, advocating for the Latin Mass and openly challenging Pope Francis’ progressive approach.
A Wisconsin native and former Archbishop of St. Louis, Burke has opposed Pope Francis’ openness to allowing divorced and remarried couples to receive the Eucharist. He has also criticized the Church’s evolving stance on artificial contraception, LGBTQ+ individuals, and civil marriages, calling the changes “objectionable.”
Burke was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
Next pope from Africa?
One of the strong candidates for the papacy comes from Africa.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is being considered by some lists for the possibility of leading the Vatican.
Photo Courtesy: Vatican News
Besungu, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, made waves when he outright rejected a controversial declaration from Pope Francis—despite receiving the pontiff’s blessing.
The conservative Capuchin dismissed the Fiducia Supplicans doctrine—which permitted priests to bless unmarried and same-sex couples—as null and void across Africa. According to the Catholic Herald, Besungu secured explicit approval from Pope Francis during an emergency meeting in 2023, shortly after the doctrine’s release.
Besungu was made cardinal in 2019.
With the possibility of a papal transition on the horizon, the global Catholic Church watches closely as potential successors emerge, but regardless of who is ultimately chosen, the next pope will play a crucial role in shaping the Catholic faith for the next generation.
