Who will be the next Pope? These are the names you need to know

This year, potential candidates range from Francis Foreign Minister, the Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, a hyper -conservative from whom Pope Francis had received open criticism.

We could also see, for the first time, an American Pope, a Pope from Sub -Saharan Africa or an Asian Pope.

From the consultations that took place this week in the Vatican, there were several names as « papabile », that is, candidates for the Pope’s office, but at this stage, they are more likely to represent characteristics that the cardinals would like to see the next leader of the church than.

These are some of the dominant names According to Time Magazine:

Matteo Zoupi: A connoisseur of the internal

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Born in Rome, the 69 -year -old Zoupi is considered the most likely candidate for the sequel as he was close to Francis and has the right qualifications to consolidate his legacy.

In 2015, Franciscus appointed the Bologna Archbishop of Bologna, one of the most important positions in Italy, and then made him president of a major bishops in 2022.

In 2023, Francis chose Zoupi as an envoy to Peace for Ukraine’s affairs.

« In addition to showing him with his finger and shouting publicly) ‘This is my favorite son, who has my favor, » it is difficult to think of what else a Pontiff could do to show that someone has his confidence, « he wrote to a long -standing analyst.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin: The diplomat

The 70 -year -old Parolin, the Vatican Foreign Minister since 2013, has been described by the Italian press as Pope Francis’ natural successor.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Foreign Minister, watches the end of Rodari for Pope Francis in the papal Basilica of St. Maria Grand (Santa Maria Maggiore), after the death of Pontiff in Rome, Italy, April 225.

An experienced diplomat of the Holy See who served in Venezuela, Nigeria and Mexico, is regarded by the Vatican’s connoisseurs as a prudent moderate who, like Francis, has firmly focused on democracy, human rights and humanitarian action.

Edulin overseered the implementation of the 2018 controversial agreement with the leadership of China, which gave the Communist Party of China in the choice of the new bishops of the country.

« There is a short list of cardinals that one can seriously imagine sitting across from Donald Trump, Xi Jing or Vladimir Putin and holding their place, » says Allen. Parolin, he adds, is one of them.

Robert Francis Prevost: an extra-internal

Robert Francis Prevost during a ceremony at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican, September 30, 2023. (Photo: EPA/MAXPPP)

He has never been elected Pope American and this is not likely to change soon.

However, the 69 -year -old Prevost, who was head of the Francis Counseling Team for the selection of new bishops, enjoys widespread recognition, which could give him an advantage to a large group of electors with few common points.

Born in Chicago in a family of Italian, French and Spanish roots, Prevost was called « the least American American » by Vatican correspondent Iakako Skaramucci in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

Prevost served as a missionary in Peru at the beginning of his career, before taking on leading positions in the Vatican, a series of experiences that consolidate his qualifications as a teacher, politician and governor.

Luis Antonio Gokim Tangle: Chito, The Cardinal Influencer

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attends Pope Francis on the fifth day of Novendiali (nine days of mourning after Pope’s funeral) at the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican on April 30, 2025.

The 67 -year -old former Archbishop of Manila, Tangle, is considered a rising star of the Church since 1997, when he was appointed to a selected group of Catholic theologians who provide guidance to the leadership of the Church on key theological issues.

Born in Manila, Tagle will be the first Asian Pope of the Vatican in modern times, a strategic choice for a church that develops faster in Asia and Africa.

However, his charisma is the defense of the poor, his appeal to action against climate change and his attitude that the church has been very harshly brought to homosexuals, divorced couples and single mothers.

All this makes many compare him to Francis.

He prefers to use his nickname, Chito, instead of his ecclesiastical title, and there are many stories about his meals with pensions and his preference to use public transport to go to work.

It’s something like a cardinal-influencer with active presence and dedicated fans on social media.

Peter Turkson: A Progressive

Like Tagle, Ghana’s 76 -year -old Turkson responds to the growing demand for a leader representing the new center of gravity of the Catholic Church in Africa and Asia.

Cardinal Peter Turkson arrives at St. Peter’s Basilica, as Pope Francis’ body is transferred to a coffin in the Basilica on the day of her transportation, to the Vatican, on April 23, 2025.

A close adviser to Francis in Laudato Si’s historical circular, who urged Catholics (and the world) to protect the planet from climate change, represents the continuation of Francis’ progressive heritage in the field of environmental and social justice.

« Turkson would be an absolutely interesting choice. You don’t want a showman, but someone who will inspire people. He has a steadfast commitment to social justice and is not afraid to put his hands on the mud. It meets all the criteria of Francis. « 

Francis’ progressive attitude in various areas of ecclesiastical dogmatic, such as the blessing of gay couples and the ordination of female deacons, has caused criticism of other leaders of the African Church.

The election of a non -western Pope is not just about geographical representation, notes Brett Hoover, a Theology professor at Loyola Marymount University, California, « but with the fact that these candidates are more aware of the biggest problems facing the World Church than the issues that are being raised in the western countries. « We have poverty. We have people who move around the world.

Peter Erdo: A man of tradition

Cardinal Peter Erdo is headed by Sunday’s Liturgy in the Basilica of Agia Francis, Roman, before the start of Conclave and the election of the new Pope, which will begin on May 7, in Rome, Italy, May 4, 2025.

Many in the church were upset by Francis’ progressive stance on key issues, such as his limitations on Latin, his willingness to open key positions to unknown priests and the emphasis on « hearing » the universal community as well as to lead it.

They will look for a candidate who will adopt the most traditional trends of John Pavlos II and Benedict XVI.

Erdo, 72 years old, Archbishop of Budapest, fits this profile.

It is opposed to the administration of society to divorced or re -marked Catholics, to the blessing of homosexual couples, and once stated that the reception of immigrants could encourage people’s trafficking.

He is diplomatic, attentive and speaks English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish, which gives him a linguistic advantage in a multilingual competition.

Its emergence, however, could be interpreted as a complete rejection of Francis’ heritage, which could cause hesitation to many cardinals in the concussion, even if they first agree with his conservative attitude.

Pierbatist Pitsabala: A Candidate of Compromise

Cardinal Pierbatist Pizambala arrives for a General Assembly before the conception for the election of the next Pope, as shown by Rome, Italy, May 5, 2025.

Pitsambala, from Italy, is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and serves the Catholic Church in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Cyprus.

He has gained recognition and confidence in his ability to create relationships and understanding between the deep divisions of the area.

This can be an advantage for electors who seek to bridge the deep divisions of the Church after the Francis era.

Unlike many of the other candidates, he has avoided dogmatic discussions, which could make him attractive to several blocks within the body of the cardinals to win the necessary majority of two -thirds.

The smart management of the economic crisis in the patriarchy of Jerusalem will be attractive to those who are worried about the dangerous financial situation of the Vatican.

However, his age could work against him: in his 60’s, he will begin a papacy that can last decades, something that few cardinals are willing to risk.