The loss of life of Pope Francis this week marks the tip of a historic papacy and the start of a major transition for the Catholic Church. Because the devoted world wide mourn his passing, consideration now turns to the following section: the election of a brand new pope.
This election will happen by means of a course of generally known as the conclave. Sometimes held two to 3 weeks after a pope’s funeral, the conclave gathers the School of Cardinals within the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. Right here, by means of prayer, reflection and secret ballots, they have to attain a two-thirds majority to decide on the following Bishop of Rome.
Whereas, in idea, any baptised Catholic man might be elected, for the previous seven centuries the position has gone to a cardinal. That mentioned, the end result can nonetheless be unpredictable – typically even stunning the electors themselves.
An unlikely candidate
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio – who grew to become Pope Francis – wasn’t among the many front-runners in 2013. Nonetheless, after 5 rounds of voting, he emerged as the highest candidate. One thing related might occur once more.
This conclave will happen throughout a time of rigidity and alter throughout the church. Francis sought to decentralise Vatican authority, emphasised caring for the poor and the planet, and tried to open dialogue on delicate points corresponding to LGBTQIA+ inclusion and clerical abuse. The cardinals should now determine whether or not to proceed on this path, or steer in the direction of a extra conventional course.
There’s historic precedent to think about. For hundreds of years, Italians dominated the papacy. Of the 266 popes, 217 have been Italian.
Nevertheless, this sample has shifted in current a long time: Francis was from Argentina, John Paul II (1978–2005) from Poland, and Benedict XVI (2005–2013) from Germany.
The highest papabili
As with every election, observers are talking of their “favourites”. The time period papabile, which in Italian means “pope-able”, or “capable of becoming pope”, is used to explain cardinals who’re seen as severe contenders.
Among the many main papabili is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, aged 70, the present Secretary of State of Vatican Metropolis. Parolin has lengthy been one in every of Francis’ closest collaborators and has led efforts to open dialogue with tough regimes, together with the Chinese language Communist Social gathering.
Italian Cardinal Parolin was chosen because the secretary of state beneath Pope Francis, making him the pope’s chief adviser.
Angelo Carconi/EPA
Parolin is seen as a centrist determine who might enchantment to each reform-minded and extra conservative cardinals. But some observers argue he lacks the charismatic and pastoral presence that helped outline Francis’ papacy.
One other identify to look at is Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. At 60, he’s youthful than lots of his colleagues, however brings in depth expertise in interfaith dialogue within the Center East. His fluency in Hebrew and his lengthy service within the Holy Land might show interesting.
Then once more, his relative youth could trigger hesitation amongst these involved about electing a pope who might serve for many years. Because the papacy of John Paul II demonstrated, such lengthy reigns can have a profound impression on the church.
In 2020, Pope Francis appointed Pierbattista Pizzaballa as the brand new Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Abir Sultan/EPA
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines can be often talked about. Now 67, Tagle is thought for his deep dedication to social justice and the poor. He has spoken out towards human rights abuses in his residence nation and has usually echoed Francis’ pastoral tone. However some cardinals could fear that his outspoken political beliefs might complicate the church’s diplomatic efforts.
Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, now 76, was a outstanding determine over the last conclave. A robust voice on environmental and financial justice, he has served beneath each Benedict XVI and Francis.
Turkson has largely upheld the church’s conventional teachings on issues corresponding to male-only priesthood, marriage between a person and a lady, and sexuality. He’s additionally a powerful advocate for transparency, and has spoken out towards corruption and in defence of human rights.
Cardinals Luis Antonio Tagle (left) of the Philippines and Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Nigeria attend a Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the election of the brand new pope in 2013.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Although much less extensively identified among the many public, Cardinal Mykola Bychok of Melbourne may be thought-about. His election could be as stunning (and maybe as symbolically highly effective) as that of John Paul II in 1978. A Ukrainian-Australian pope, chosen throughout the ongoing struggle in Ukraine, would ship a powerful message in regards to the church’s concern for struggling peoples and world peace.
Parish Andriy Mykytyuk (left) and Cardinal Mykola Bychok bless worshippers throughout a Ukrainian Catholic Easter celebration in Melbourne, April 2023.
Diego Fedele/AAP
On the extra conservative aspect is American Cardinal Raymond Burke, who had been one in every of Francis’ most vocal critics. However his confrontational stance makes him an unlikely candidate.
Extra believable could be Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary, aged 71. Erdő is a revered canon lawyer with a extra conventional theological orientation. He was talked about in 2013 and should reemerge as a promising candidate amongst conservative cardinals.
Cardinal Péter Erdő was ordained as a priest in 1975 and has a doctorate in theology. He shall be a high choose amongst conservatives.
Wikimedia, CC BY-SA
One robust act to observe
Though Francis appointed most of the cardinals who will vote within the conclave, that doesn’t imply all of them supported his agenda. Many come from communities with conventional values, and could also be drawn to a candidate who emphasises older church teachings.
The conclave may even mirror broader questions of geography. The church’s progress has shifted away from Europe, to Asia, Africa and Latin America. A pope from one in every of these areas might symbolise this modification, and converse extra on to the challenges confronted by Catholic communities within the International South.
Finally, predicting a conclave is unimaginable. Dynamics usually change as soon as the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel and start voting. Alliances shift, new names emerge, and consensus could kind round somebody who was barely mentioned beforehand.
What is for certain is that the following pope will form the church’s future: doctrinally, diplomatically and pastorally. Whether or not he chooses to construct on Francis’ legacy of reform, or transfer in a brand new path, he might want to steadiness historical traditions with the pressing realities of the fashionable world.
