Who Will Be the Next Pope?
With the passing of Pope Francis, the Vatican stands at a crossroads.
The Cardinals will enter a conclave, where the next pope will be chosen.
Here are 12 of the contenders. 🧵👇
1. Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco
- Born: January 14, 1943, Pontevico, Italy
- Became Cardinal: March 24, 2006
- Serves as: Archbishop Emeritus of Genoa, Italy
A theological ally of conservative Church leaders, Bagnasco is recognized for his strong leadership and traditional views.
2. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
- Born: October 11, 1955, Rome, Italy
- Became Cardinal: October 5, 2019
- Serves as: Archbishop of Bologna, Italy
Known for his pastoral care, peace advocacy, and commitment to social justice. Zuppi is a unifying figure within the Church, fostering interfaith dialogue.
3. Cardinal Robert Sarah
- Born: June 15, 1945, Ourous, Guinea
- Became Cardinal: November 20, 2010
- Serves as: Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
A staunch defender of traditional Catholic teachings, Sarah focuses on liturgical practices and priestly celibacy.
4. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle
- Born: June 21, 1957, Manila, Philippines
- Became Cardinal: November 24, 2012
- Serves as: Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
Charismatic and focused on the marginalized, Tagle bridges traditional and progressive factions within the Church.
5. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith
- Born: November 15, 1947, Polgahawela, Sri Lanka
- Became Cardinal: November 20, 2010
- Serves as: Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka
A strong advocate for liturgical tradition and Church discipline, Ranjith has held key Vatican positions, including Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia.
6. Cardinal Pietro Parolin
- Born: January 17, 1955, Schiavon, Italy
- Became Cardinal: February 22, 2014
- Serves as: Vatican Secretary of State
A seasoned Vatican diplomat, Parolin has served in Nigeria, Mexico, and Venezuela. He has played a key role in international Church relations and is a close adviser to Pope Francis.
7. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa
- Born: April 21, 1965, Cologno al Serio, Italy
- Became Cardinal: September 30, 2023
- Serves as: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
A Franciscan friar, Pizzaballa has served as Custos of the Holy Land and Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate. He is known for his deep commitment to interfaith dialogue and pastoral care in the Middle East.
8. Cardinal Peter Erdo
- Born: June 25, 1952, Budapest, Hungary
- Became Cardinal: October 21, 2003
- Serves as: Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary
A theologian focused on unity and doctrinal clarity, Erdo bridges European and African Church relations, emphasizing global harmony.
9. Cardinal Willem Eijk
- Born: June 22, 1953, Duivendrecht, Netherlands
- Became Cardinal: February 18, 2012
- Serves as: Archbishop of Utrecht, Netherlands
A former medical doctor, Eijk is a strong advocate for bioethics and moral theology, focusing on life issues and Church doctrine.
10. Cardinal Anders Arborelius
- Born: September 24, 1949, Sorengo, Switzerland
- Became Cardinal: June 28, 2017
- Serves as: Bishop of Stockholm, Sweden
The first Swedish-born Catholic bishop since the Reformation, Arborelius is known for his contemplative spirituality and ecumenical outreach.
11. Cardinal Charles Bo
- Born: October 29, 1948, Monhla, Myanmar
- Became Cardinal: February 14, 2015
- Serves as: Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar
A vocal advocate for peace and democracy in Myanmar, Bo has worked extensively on interreligious dialogue and human rights.
12. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline
- Born: December 26, 1958, Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria
- Became Cardinal: August 27, 2022
- Serves as: Archbishop of Marseille, France
A theological expert dedicated to fostering interfaith dialogue, especially with Muslim communities, in his diverse region.
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