Following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88, just a day after he blessed thousands in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, the Catholic Church is entering a period of transition that will shape its direction for decades to come.
As the first Latin American pope, Pope Francis ushered in a new era for the Church, emphasising social justice, environmental stewardship, and inclusivity. His papacy, which began in 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, was historic, marked by bold reforms and efforts to address long-standing institutional challenges.
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Now, the College of Cardinals will gather at the Vatican for a conclave that will not only choose a new spiritual leader for 1.37 billion Catholics but also determine the future course of Church doctrine, transparency, and global outreach.
Here are 14 favourite names considered as frontrunners to succeed Pope Francis and become the next Pope:
1. Timothy Dolan (United States), 75 — Archbishop of New York
A charismatic figure with Irish-American roots, Dolan is a staunch theological conservative and outspoken opponent of abortion. As former Archbishop of Milwaukee, he navigated the fallout from a major sexual abuse scandal. In New York, he’s focused on reversing the Church’s decline by engaging the growing Hispanic Catholic community.
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2. Robert Francis Prevost (United States), 69 — Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo
Prefect of the Vatican’s powerful Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost plays a crucial role in appointing bishops globally. A former missionary in Peru, he also leads the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Created cardinal in 2023, he is deeply immersed in Latin American Church affairs.
3. Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (DR Congo), 65 — Archbishop of Kinshasa
The only African on the Pope’s Council of Cardinals, Ambongo is a leading voice on the continent. As head of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, he opposes same-sex blessings and sees Africa as the Church’s future.
4. Peter Turkson (Ghana), 76 — Archbishop emeritus of Cape Coast
A fluent speaker of six languages and champion of social justice, Turkson serves as Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences. Once reluctant to become pope due to race-related concerns, he remains a respected Vatican veteran and global advocate.
5. Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar), 76 — Archbishop of Yangon
President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences and Myanmar’s first cardinal, Bo has been a steadfast voice for peace, especially after the 2021 military coup. He also defends Rohingya Muslims and speaks out against human trafficking.
6. Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), 67 — Archbishop emeritus of Manila
A charismatic and widely admired cardinal, Tagle is known for humility, humour, and advocacy for the poor and migrants. A papal contender in 2013, he aligns closely with Francis’s vision and remains a prominent global Church figure.
7. Jean-Claude Hollerich (Luxembourg), 67 — Archbishop of Luxembourg
A Jesuit like Pope Francis, Hollerich is a theologian open to modernising the Church while staying grounded in core doctrine. An expert on intercultural dialogue and environmental issues, he served on Francis’s Council of Cardinals.
8. Peter Erdo (Hungary), 72 — Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
An expert in canon law and fluent in seven languages, Erdo is a leading European candidate. His ties with Hungary’s nationalist leadership have sparked controversy, though he is respected for his academic and interfaith work.
9. Mario Grech (Malta), 68 — Bishop emeritus of Gozo
As Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Grech plays an important role in the Church’s global consultation processes. He advocates dialogue between progressives and conservatives while reaffirming the Church’s hierarchical structure.
10. Anders Arborelius (Sweden), 75 — Bishop of Stockholm
Sweden’s first cardinal and a convert to Catholicism, Arborelius is a defender of doctrine yet supports Pope Francis’s outreach to migrants. He opposes same-sex blessings and female deacons, in line with traditional Church positions.
11. Jean-Marc Aveline (France), 66 — Archbishop of Marseille
Born in Algeria and raised in Marseille, Aveline is a close ally of Pope Francis and a strong voice for interfaith dialogue and migrant rights. Elected president of France’s bishops’ conference in April 2025.
12. Matteo Maria Zuppi (Italy), 69 — Archbishop of Bologna
A beloved pastoral leader, Zuppi is known for his simplicity and peace diplomacy, including work in Ukraine. As president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, he champions the marginalised, including migrants and LGBTQ Catholics.
13. Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy), 60 — Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
As the Vatican’s top representative in the Middle East, Pizzaballa has called for peace amid regional conflict and led Christmas mass in both Gaza and Jerusalem in 2024. Elevated to cardinal in 2023.
14. Pietro Parolin (Italy), 70 — Vatican Secretary of State
As the Vatican’s top diplomat, Parolin has immense influence and understanding of Church governance. A key player in the 2018 Vatican-China agreement, he is viewed as a steady, pragmatic leader.
