- The cardinals needed more time to discuss all issues regarding the situation of the church and challenges for the new pope, and therefore extended the discussions on the so -called Congregations convened during the period of vacancies in the Holy See
- The statements of the cardinals show that the list of favorites in recent days has expanded even more
- Just before the inauguration of the conclave as the potential successor of Francis, his close collaborator, 70-year-old Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is often mentioned. It is he who will chair the conclave as the oldest cardinal-bishop nomination entitled to participate in the election of the Pope
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The Italian historian of Christianity Alberto Melloni said a few days before the conclave that it is certain that it is certain that “A man and a Catholic will be chosen.”
“Everyone is playing by creating a list of countries of cardinals' origin, as if the Pope was chosen on the basis of a passport,” he assessed referring to published forecasts.
For now, it is known that cardinals needed more time to discuss all issues regarding the situation of the Church and challenges for the new pope, and therefore extended the discussions on the so -called Congregations convened during the period of vacancies in the Holy See.
Cardinals' statements show that the list of favorites has expanded even more in recent days.
Just before the inauguration of the conclave as The potential successor of Franciszek is often mentioned his close collaborator, 70-year-old Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolincurrent secretary of the state of the Holy See. He is an experienced diplomat who was involved, among others in activities for the normalization of relations between the Vatican and China, which resulted in the preliminary agreement on the appointment of Chinese bishops.
Its possible choice is presented in the comments as A guarantee of a quiet continuation of the pontificate of the deceased Pope and a response to the need for a church leader, who in the current difficult times of conflicts in the world would also be a diplomat, oriented in international policy. Cardinal Parolin in the matter of Ukraine, which he visited last summer, presented a clear position, ensuring that the Holy See supports its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He recently assessed that “peace cannot be imposed”, and taking away the right to defense from Ukrainians would be “inhuman”. However, he has no pastoral experience.
This Cardinal Parolin will chair the conclave as the oldest cardinal-bishop nomination entitled to participate in the election of the Pope.
Cardinal Mario Grech (Malta)
The task of continuing one of the most important results of recent years of the pontificate of Francis also has 68-year-old Cardinal Mario Grech from Malta, from 2020 the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops. His mission concerns the synod of bishops ended in October on the subject of synodality in the Church, i.e. greater commitment of the faithful in the life of the community. When Francis was in a hospital in March, Maltese purple informed in a letter that the Pope approved the start of the Synod of Synod, which is to last until 2028. According to commentators of Cardinal Grech, he distinguishes the talent of mediation and combining expressions of various views.
Anders Arborelius (Sweden)
The first cardinal from Sweden is also indicated among Europeans, 75-year-old Carmelite Anders Arborelius. Baptized in the Lutheran church, he switched to Catholicism at the age of 20. In 1998, John Paul II appointed him the bishop of Stockholm, the only diocese in the country.
It was Francis, as the Vaticanists notice, discovered his leader's features and appointed him a cardinal. In doctrinal matters, he is considered a conservative. He implements numerous evangelistic projects, also addressed to foreigners, is also involved in migrants. He was also an ally of Francis in matters related to ecology.
Matteo Zuppi (Italy)
There is no shortage that charismatic has a great chance Cardinal Matteo Zuppi-a 69-year-old metropolitan of Bologna and chairman of the Italian Episcopal Conference. He is famous as a social worker, derived from the Roman community of Sant'Egidio, who helps the poor. As a special envoy of Franciszek for Ukraine, the Cardinal Zuppi went to talks to Moscow, Kiev, Beijing and Washington. He is particularly involved in the return of Ukrainian children, illegally deported to Russia. He is very direct in contacts and has a great sense of humor.
Piebattista Pizzaballa, Claudio Ggerotti and Fernando Filoni (Italy)
Service in the second region of the conflict, in the Middle East, full 60-year-old Franciscan, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. GHe received the reality of the cardinal in the consistory in September 2023, a week before the Palestinian Hamas attack on Israel and the armed surgery by the army of this country in the Gaza Strip. From the beginning of the conflict, he calls for its interruption. He declared that he was ready to offer himself as a hostage in exchange for the release of children kidnapped by Hamas. He condemned the attack of terrorists from this grouping and is involved in humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
Italians who are counting on choosing a compatriot after 47 years also point to an experienced diplomat of the Holy See, 69-year-old cardinal Claudio Ggerotti, the current prefect of the dicasteries for Eastern Churches, as well as for another Vatican diplomat-Fernando Filoni.
Peter Erdo (Hungary)
The 72-year-old Primate of Hungary Cardinal Peter Erdo is the favorite of the conservative faction of the Church. He is considered a continuator of the heritage of John Paul II. At the same time, he has the opinion of a moderate and calm dignitary, prone to dialogue. Commentators are wondering if if he were elected, he would withdraw some reforms of Francis, considered by conservative environments to be too progressive.
Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)
He has a strong position among potential papabili 67-year-old Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, former chairman of Caritas Internationalis, currently a pro-paralysis of the dycasteria for evangelization. It is even called “Asian Francis” due to its opinion, a representative of the new church of the Church. He is liked by young people and is famous for liberal views and attitudes of openness to homosexual and divorced people, remaining in new relationships. He is distinguished by spontaneous behavior, sense of humor and extensive pastoral experience. There is a recording from the Department of 2018 on the network, where he dances next to the metropolitan of this city, today Cardinal Grzegorz Rysia during a meeting with young people. Another shows how the Filipino dignitary sings the song “Imagine” by John Lennon.
Lazarus You Heung-Sik (South Korea)
The Asia Church also represents 73-year-old Cardinal from South Korea Lazarus You Heung-Sikwhich often talks about peace, building bridges, reconciliation, including North Korea.
Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Discussions are underway whether the first pope may have an African continent. In this context, it is mentioned 65-year-old Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besung from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the metropolitan of the capital of this country-Kinshasa.
Besung from 2020 was part of the Cardinals Council appointed by Francis, who helped him manage the Church. As a nominent and collaborator of the Pope, he criticized his opening attitude towards LGBT environments. It was on his initiative that the African bishops announced a document that objected to the declaration of dicasteries of the science of the faith of “Fiducia Supplicans”, in which, under strictly defined conditions, blessing couples of the same sex. This issue was the only subject of dispute with Francis; In others, the dignitary is close to the concept of synodality and the Church more open to the faithful. He criticizes Western policy, as well as the exploitation of Africa's natural resources by rich countries.
Francois Bustillo (Corsica) and Jean-Marc Aveline (France)
There are also the French on the list of favorites: 56-year-old Franciscan, Cardinal Francois Bustillo of Corsicawhich Francis visited during his last journey in December 2024, as well as the Marseille Metropolitan – 66-year-old cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, chairman of the Episcopal Conference And, as some media say, purple particularly valued by Francis for their attitude towards the phenomenon of migration and preaching the idea of dialogue with Islam.
Robert Francis Prevost (USA), Joseph William Tobin (USA) and Michael Czerny (Canada)
Among the purple from North America, it is mentioned 69-year-old American Augustinian from Chicago Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, influential prefect of dicasteries for bishops. For many years he served in Peru.
One of Franciszek's closest associates – born in the Czech Republic is also recalled 68-year-old Canadian Michael Czerny, Prefect of dicasteries for integral human development, involved in the issue of migration and assistance to refugees.
Sometimes it is mentioned 63-year-old cardinal Joseph William Tobin, There was a long -term superior general of the Redemptorist assembly. When he held this function, he was perfectly oriented in a situation in the Polish church. He has the opinion of the progress, supports LGBT environments, whose pilgrimage he accepted in the cathedral in Newark.
Cristobal Lopez Romero (Spain), Angel Fernandez Artime (Spain) and Jose Tolentino Calaca de Mendonca (Portugal)
A Spanish cardinal also appeared on the papabili lists Cristobal Lopez RomeroSalesian and Archbishop of Rabat in Morocco, involved in the benefit of dialogue with Muslims and in the service of migrants. He confessed, however, that he had no ambition to become a pope and added jokingly that if he was elected, he would escape to Sicily.
According to these speculations, the quotations of another Spaniard and Salesian increased, Angela Fernandez Artimewhich is distinguished by educational enthusiasm, concern for young people and periphery.
It comes from Portugal Cardinal Jose Tolentino Calaca de Mendoncaformer archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church in 2018–2022, recently a prefect of dicasteries for culture and education, a poet and intellectual.
