Find out who the 22 favorite cardinals to Papa

‘Who enters Pope leaves Cardinal’ and ‘to a fat Pope, follows a thin’, are two expressions that have been repeated in recent times. All about speculation about who is chosen to focus on St. Peter’s throne and succeed Francis. But it is worth noting that although proverbs always have their real what, recent history tells us that it is not quite so.

After all, there are those who come in and get out of the Sistine chapel. This was the case of Bento XVI, a favorite to succeed John Paul II even before the cardinals close ‘with key translation) to choose the Church’s 265th Pontiff.

Pope Francis himself was already on the favorite list to take on the testimony of Bento XVI when he resigned in 2013. Jorge Bergoglio was, moreover, the second most voted in the previous conclave, from where Joseph Ratzinger came out as the church leader in 2005.

The same cannot be said of John Paul II. Few would risk saying that white smoke on October 16, 1978 would be because of Polish Karol Wojtyła, the first non-Italian to sit on the throne of St. Peter in over 450 years.

Now, almost 47 years and three popes later, will there be a new surprise? It should be noted that the conclave takes place at a time of great uncertainty, with various geopolitical conflicts, but also internal tensions within the church itself.

The world is increasingly secularized and the church has to realize how to deal with this challenge. Does the path go to promote a more modern image or by reaffirming traditional values?

The new Pope can help to reach an answer, but by the differences that exist between the 22 cardinals that constitute the list of papabili Disclosure on the ‘College of Cardinis’ website, a platform created by an international team of Catholic journalists and researchers, whoever the new Holy Father will not have an easy task and will face criticism.

If we meet the second initial proverb, Francis would follow a more conservative Pope. But the recent story tells us again that it is not always like this, and once again the example arrives from John Paul II and Benedict XVI, both advocates of traditional values ​​in the church.

It remains to wait for the white smoke of the conclave. Until then, get to know the profile of each of the 22 favorites to the throne of St. Peter.

Note, the names are separated by continents and within each one for ages, from the youngest to the oldest. Please note that the age limit to being a voter is 80 years.

Europe

José Tolentino Mendonça
Portugal
59 years

Mayor of the Dicker for Culture and Education in the Roman Curia. Created Cardinal for six years, he is a poet and theologian. He had a close affinity with Pope Francis and is considered to belong to the ‘progressive’ wing of the church.

Jean-Marc Aveline
France
63 years

Archbishop of Marseille and Cardinal since 2022, Aveline has been known for his commitment to migrants and defense of interreligious dialogue. Their positions are considered as the most progressive wing of the Church. It is fluent in Italian and has stood out in the European scenario.

MATTEO MARIA ZUPPI
Italy
69 years

Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Zuppi is known to defend greater inclusion and his work for peace, having served as Papal to the War between Russia and Ukraine. Cardinal was created in 2019 by Francisco.

PIETRO PAROLIN
Italy
70 years

Current Secretary of State of the Holy See, Parolin is an experienced and moderate diplomat. Cardinal was created in 2014 by Pope Francis, whose right arm was considered. He is currently ahead of most online betting bags to be the new church leader and is seen as a name that would continue the reforms of the current pontificate.

Willem Jacobus Eijk
Netherlands
71 years

Utrecht archbishop in the Netherlands, Cardinal Eijk is a defender of the traditional doctrine of the Church, especially on topics such as euthanasia, marriage and sexuality. It is considered influential mainly among the most conservative European bishops. Cardinal was created by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.

Péter ERDő
Hungary
72 years

Budapest Archbishop is considered conservative but always maintained good relations with Pope Francis. Even when he did not agree it was discreet in discord. It is a name with weight in the church and well respected by the ecclesiastical peers, having been rapporteur for the synod of family bishops in 2014 and commanded the General Assembly of Bishops in the same year.

Kurt Koch
Switzerland
74 years

President of the Pontifical Council for the promotion of the unity of Christians, Koch is known for his ecumenical work and in the interreligious dialogue. Cardinal was created in 2010 by Benedict XVI.

Anders arborelius
Sweden
74 years

First Cardinal of Scandinavia, Arborelius is Bishop of Stockholm and a member of the Order of the Barefoot Carmelites. It belongs to the less progressive wing of the Church, not welcoming women the ordination of women or the blessing of homosexual couples. It stands out for the ecumenism and the promotion of interreligious dialogue. Cardinal was created in 2017 by Francisco.

Fernando Filoni
Italy
76 years

Former mayor of the Congregation for the Evangelization of the People and Current Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher, Filoni has a vast diplomatic and missionary experience. Cardinal was created in 2012 by Benedict XVI.

Gerhard Ludwig Müller
Germany
77 years

Former mayor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Müller is a conservative theologian, being critical of some post-councilium reforms II. Cardinal was created in 2014 by Francisco.

Angelo Bagnasco
Italy
81 years (not voter)

Archbishop of Genoa and former president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Bagnasco is an influential figure in the Italian church. Cardinal was created in 2006 per Benedict XVI.

Mauro Piacenza
Italy
80 years (not voter)

Former mayor of the Congregation for the Clergy and Current Major Penitentiary, Piacenza is known for his dedication to priestly formation. Cardinal was created in 2007 per Benedict XVI. Its positions are conservative, although it is discreet in criticism of reforms.

Asia

Pierbattista Pizzaballa
Italy/Jerusalem
60 years

He was born in Italy but is Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. It was appointed by Pope Francis in 2023. It is considered moderate, believes that the church must be open to everyone, but makes the exception that « it should not belong to all. »

Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle
Philippines
68 years

Archbishop of Manila and former mayor of the Dicker for evangelization, Tagle shared with Pope Francis the idea of ​​a missionary church focused on the defense of the marginalized, won the nickname of “Francisco Asia”. His name had already referred to as one of the favorites when the appointment of Francisco in 2013. He was appointed Cardinal Por Benedict XVI in 2012.

Charles Maung Bo
Myanmar
76 years

It is the first cardinal of Myanmar and has been considered one of the most important prelates in Asia. He is president of the Federation of Episcopal Conferences of Asia. Cardinal was created in 2015 by Pope Francis.

Albert Malcom Ranjith Patabendige Don
Sri Lanka
77 years

Archbishop of Colombo since 2009, Ranjith is known to have conservative positions, being against the blessing of homosexual couples or the ordination of women. He was created Cardinal in 2010 by Benedict XVI and is a member of the dicker for divine worship and the evangelization of peoples.

Africa

Fridolin Ambongongo Besungu
Democratic Republic of Congo
65 years

Archbishop of Kinshasa and president of the Congo National Episcopal Conference, Ambongo is known for his fight against the corruption and defense of the poor. It has positions considered conservative, such as the fact that it is publicly against the blessing to homosexual couples and in favor of continuing the compulsory celibacy of priests, while advocating greater democratization of the Church and concern for climate change. Cardinal was created in 2019 by Pope Francis.

Stephen Brislin
South Africa
68 years

Archbishop of Cape Town, Brislin is known for his commitment to social justice and human rights. It is perhaps the most liberal cardinal on the list of papibles, it is not against women’s ordination or the end of the priests’ mandatory celibacy. Cardinal was created in 2015 by Francisco.

Robert Sarah
Guinea
80 years

Former mayor of the Dicsterium for Divine Worship and the discipline of the sacraments, Sarah is known for his conservative positions, was one of the most critical voices to the eventual reforms promoted by Pope Francis. Cardinal was created in 2010 by Benedict XVI.

America

Daniel Fernando Sturla
Uruguay
61 years

Archbishop of Montevideo and president of the Uruguay Episcopal Conference, Sturla is known for her pastoral posture and commitment to the poorest. Cardinal was created in 2018 by Francisco.

Raymond Leo Burke
USA
76 years

Mayor Emeritus of the Supreme Court of Apostolic Signature, Burke is considered one of the most conservative on the list of favorites to the appointment of the new Pope. Alongside Cardinal Sarah, from Congo, it was one of the most critical and public voices to some of Pope Francis’ positions. Cardinal was created in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI.

MARC ORELLET
Canada
80 years

He was mayor of the dicker for the bishops for more than ten years. He is an influential figure in the church, but not immune to controversy or accusations, and there was a decision of a French civil court against him, in the case involving a nun expelled from his religious order. The Holy See publicly criticized the French decision. Cardinal was created in 2003 by John Paul II.