Italian cardinals are pushing for the next pontiff to be Italian or European.

Following the transformative papacy of Francis, the Catholic Church has seen a marked divide between progressive and conservative priests. After three non-Italian popes, the Italian wing of the Catholic Church is pushing for the next pontiff to once again be European.

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Although the presence of Italian cardinals at the conclave has decreased, 55 Italians will enter the Sistine Chapel to participate in the decision-making process that will determine the successor to the Argentine Pope.

Pietro Parolin

The most frequently mentioned name in Vatican predictions is the current Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin (70). He is a consensus-builder and difficult to categorize as either progressive or conservative, which could be a significant advantage. Known to all the cardinals, he is a great diplomat who in recent years has brought the Holy See closer to China and is well-acquainted with the East and Latin America, having served as nuncio in Venezuela.

Matteo Maria Zuppi

The top choice for Italian progressives is Matteo Maria Zuppi (69), current president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. His profile is closest to Jorge Bergoglio due to his focus on the underprivileged and migrants, and his close ties with the influential lay Community of Sant’Egidio.

Luis Antonio Tagle

The Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, embodies qualities that might appeal to cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. A Curia insider who also represents Asia—the great hope for the Catholic Church. Though considered progressive, he has strongly criticized a Philippine reproductive health bill, spoken out against abortion and euthanasia, and argues that there are situations where universal moral principles may not apply, such as Communion for couples living together without a sacramental marriage, and issues related to homosexuality.

Jean-Marc Aveline

The Archbishop of Marseille, Jean-Marc Aveline, 66, has gained prominence in recent years, especially after convincing Pope Francis to visit the French city to address migration. His profile recalls the early Bergoglio—affable and cultured, focused on the “peripheries,” interreligious dialogue, and migration. This sensitivity was also shaped by his childhood in a family of repatriated French citizens after the Algerian War in 1962. His relatively young age could be a drawback.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa

Though Italian, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 59, is a candidate with an international vision. He has recently spoken out in defense of Palestinians in Gaza, while maintaining good relations with Israeli authorities. He may be considered too young to be pope, and some of his doctrinal positions remain unclear. His ability to communicate during the upcoming pre-conclave congregations will be critical.

Peter Erdö

The Archbishop of Budapest, Peter Erdö, 72, is one of the most prominent candidates from the conservative and European wing. Raised under communism, his family was forced to flee Hungary in 1956 when he was four years old. A renowned intellectual, he is staunchly pro-life, opposes optional celibacy for priests and the acceptance of same-sex unions, and defends the values of Christian Europe. His close ties with Viktor Orban’s anti-immigration government could be seen as a negative.

Anders Arborelius

The Bishop of Stockholm, Anders Arborelius, 75, the first Swedish cardinal, is a convert to Catholicism in a Scandinavian country that is overwhelmingly Protestant and among the world’s most secular societies. A strong defender of Church doctrine, he is particularly opposed to allowing women to become deacons or blessing same-sex couples. Like Francis, however, Arborelius supports welcoming migrants to Europe.

Mario Grech

The Maltese Bishop Mario Grech, 68, is the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops. Over the last three years, as the Synod on Synodality has unfolded, he has had the opportunity to meet all cardinals and Church representatives arriving in Rome for the assembly. He has had to strike a delicate balance between calls for a more open and attentive Church while acknowledging conservative concerns.

Malcolm Ranjith

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Colombo (Sri Lanka), Malcolm Ranjith, 77, although he has shown closeness to Francis and deep concern for the poor, has roots in the papacy of Benedict XVI and has encouraged the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass. With experience in the Curia—where he served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments—he later returned to Sri Lanka. He may represent a candidate from the Global South. He speaks ten languages fluently.

Fridolin Ambongo Besungu

Though it is highly unlikely that the next pope will be African, the Archbishop of Kinshasa, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, is the most probable African option. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he is the only African cardinal on the Council of Cardinals, the advisory body created by Francis. As president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, in January 2024 he signed a letter opposing the Vatican declaration allowing priests to bless same-sex unions. In a 2023 interview, Ambongo declared, “Africa is the future of the Church, obviously.”

Robert Francis Prevost

The prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Robert Francis Prevost, 69, originally from Chicago, advises the pope on appointments and is also president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He could be a viable option for those seeking both a Curia figure and someone from the Americas. Known for his very conservative views, this priest is rumored to be the preferred candidate for U.S. President Donald Trump.

Timothy Dolan

The Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan, of Irish-American descent, is a theological conservative, staunchly opposed to abortion, and a strong candidate for the conservative faction. However, in recent months, he has forcefully opposed Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies. His name was also strongly mentioned during the last conclave.

Other Candidates

Other names circulating include Claudio Gugerotti (69), prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, and Joseph Cupich (75), Archbishop of Chicago. A Spaniard is also among the possibilities: Angel Fernandez Artime (64), former head of the Salesians and now pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Also mentioned is Cristobal Lopez Romero (72), considered “African” due to his position as Archbishop of Rabat, and Juan Jose Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, who is very close to Francis and was part of the group of cardinals that advised him during his pontificate.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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