PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, initiating the process to elect a new pope. This week, the College of Cardinals will meet for a conclave to elect the next successor of Saint Peter.
👥 Who’s Involved: 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80 will participate in the conclave to choose the next pope.
📍 Where & When: The conclave begins on May 7, 2025, at the Vatican.
💬 Key Quote: “Every papal conclave comes down, in some sense, to a referendum on the papacy that has just ended,” said John Allen, editor of Crux.
⚠️ Impact: The election could either continue Pope Francis’s legacy or shift towards a more traditional, conservative direction.
IN FULL:
The Catholic Church is set to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. The conclave, consisting of 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80, will commence on May 7 at the Vatican to choose the next leader of the global Catholic community and successor to Saint Peter.
John Allen, a seasoned Vatican observer and editor of the Catholic news site Crux, remarked on the significance of this election, noting that each papal conclave reflects on the preceding papacy. “Every papal conclave comes down, in some sense, to a referendum on the papacy that has just ended,” Allen said in a recent media interview.
Among the potential successors to the late Pope Francis is Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, the Archbishop of Budapest, known for his conservative views and balanced approach to immigration. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Kinshasa, recognized for advocating social justice and orthodoxy, is also a contender. Cardinal Mario Grech from Malta, influential in synod operations, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, are also in the running, with Parolin noted for his diplomatic acumen.
Other notable candidates include Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the first Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to be raised to the cardinalate and who has been active in interfaith dialogue, criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza, and social justice; and Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, often referred to as the “Asian Francis” for his alignment with Pope Francis’ values. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi from Italy and Sweden’s Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm—a convert to Catholicism from Lutheranism—are also considered potential successors, each bringing unique perspectives to the role.
In addition to Cardinal Ambongo, another African prelate, Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, is believed to be a dark horse contender should the conclave swing in a more traditionalist direction.
Image by George Martell/The Pilot Media Group.
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