The Vatican has officially confirmed details regarding the funeral of Pope Francis, following his death just hours after making an appearance on Easter Sunday. In the wake of his passing, many are pondering the question: who will succeed him as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church?
Any baptized male Catholic is technically eligible to become pope, although since 1378, the role has been filled exclusively by cardinals. The selection process demands that the elected candidate secure at least two-thirds of the votes from cardinal electors under the age of 80.
The methods used to choose a new pope are traditional and shrouded in secrecy. A well-known adage in Vatican circles suggests that if an individual enters a conclave as pope, they will leave as a cardinal. This signifies that the election is not a popularity contest but a divinely ordained decision made by the church’s leaders, often referred to as the princes of the church.
However, speculation arises surrounding potential candidates, commonly referred to as ‘papabile,’ who possess certain characteristics deemed essential for the papacy.
Pope Francis, having appointed the majority of electors, selected many who align with his pastoral vision, indicating a preference for continuity rather than a shift in direction.
While it is impossible to make definitive predictions about the next pope, a distinct possibility involves candidates from Chicago, though the likelihood of an American pope remains uncertain.
In the context of potential contenders, a central figure is Cardinal Peter Erdo. At age 72, Erdo serves as the archbishop of Budapest and primate of Hungary. His previous leadership positions within the Council of European Episcopal Conferences, particularly his elections in 2005 and 2011, indicate favorable relations with European cardinals, who form a significant voting bloc.
Another prominent name is Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the 71-year-old archbishop of Munich and Freising. Appointed by Pope Francis as a key advisor in 2013 and later chosen to oversee Vatican financial reforms, Marx is known for championing the “synodal path” dialogue process in response to the clergy sexual abuse scandal in Germany. While he has garnered respect, his progressive pursuits have attracted skepticism from conservatives within the church.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada, at 80, served as head of the Vatican’s bishops office for over a decade. Although perceived as conservative, he was instrumental in appointing bishops aligned with Pope Francis’ vision. His extensive background in Latin American church matters might provide him an edge in this election cycle.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the 70-year-old Italian currently holding the position of secretary of state since 2014, is considered a major contender. A veteran diplomat with experience negotiating sensitive issues such as relations with China, Parolin is likely viewed as a candidate who would maintain Francis’ philosophy yet represent a more cautious diplomatic approach.
In contrast to the established candidates, Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago and 69 years old, emerges as a unique figure with the potential to be the first American pope. With a career spanning various roles in Peru and now holding the influential prefect position for the Vatican’s bishops, Prevost’s previous missionary experience and familiarity with Latin American issues might resonate with the electors.
Also in consideration is Cardinal Robert Sarah, a 79-year-old from Guinea, long seen as a frontrunner for an African pope. A favorite among conservatives, his past confrontations with Pope Francis and advocacy for traditional doctrine may complicate his candidacy.
Equally notable is Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, 80, the archbishop of Vienna, whose association with Pope Benedict positions him favorably in conservative terms yet has also been known to support some of Francis’ more controversial initiatives.
Rounding out the candidacies is Cardinal Luis Tagle from the Philippines, age 67. Regarded as a potential pick for an Asian pope, Tagle’s pastoral approach and emotional engagement during discussions of his heritage could impact his election potential, especially given the tendency towards selecting older candidates for a limited papacy.
Finally, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the 69-year-old archbishop of Bologna, is also in contention. His role in interfaith dialogue and past efforts in peace negotiations place him well within the tradition of Pope Francis. However, like some of the younger candidates, his age could be a factor for electors looking for a shorter papacy.
As the church prepares for the transition, there are several key procedural steps that will take place following the pope’s death. Initially, a papal funeral is held within four to six days, presided over by the Dean of the College of Cardinals.
While details from the Vatican are still arriving, reports suggest the funeral may occur within the week, though not traditionally on a Sunday. Cardinal electors from around the globe travel to Rome to attend, although participation can vary.
Following the funeral, the cardinals enter a period known as the ‘congregations,’ during which they engage with one another through speeches and introductions. Despite being cardinals, many do not know each other, highlighting the significance of this time.
Fifteen days post-funeral, a conclave convenes, wherein cardinal electors gather in the Sistine Chapel to begin their deliberations on the next pope.
The conclave is an ancient and secretive gathering triggered by a pope’s death, bringing together cardinals from around the world. While often represented in popular media, the realities of the conclave involve intense privacy and seriousness as cardinals forgo modern communication to engage solely with one another.
During the voting process, which can extend over several days, the cardinals cast their votes three times daily. Should they fail to reach a majority, gray smoke is emitted from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the absence of a decision. Conversely, if a consensus is achieved, white smoke indicates the election of the new pope, after which the selected individual appears before the public in St. Peter’s Square.
Currently, it is estimated that around 136 cardinals are eligible to vote in this conclave, limited to those under the age of 83. Among those with ties to Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago; Wilton Gregory, former Cardinal of Atlanta; and Robert Prevost, are all included in this group of electors.
The dynamics at play in this papal election raise questions about whether the electors will favor a candidate that aligns with the progressive stance of Pope Francis or revert to a more conservative approach that characterized previous papacies.
While names and speculation surface regarding potential candidates for the next pope, experts advise caution. True assessments will not reveal themselves until the smoke from the Sistine Chapel speaks.
With nearly 3.2 million Roman Catholics residing in the greater Chicago area and over 1.2 billion worldwide, the implications of the cardinal electors’ choice for the next pope will resonate far beyond any singular nation or community.
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