After his death and funeral Pope Francis The global interest focuses on the mysterious way of choosing its successor, the so -called concussion. Today (28.04.2025) in fact the Cardinals decide when to convene.
Inside the Sistine Hats, 135 cardinals will be invited to choose the new Pope who will lead the Roman Catholic Church and succeed Pope Francis.
The prediction of the winner in advance is not easy. During the last Conclavian in 2013, Cardinal Jorge Bergolio (p. Pope Francis) It was anything but favorites to succeed Pope Benedict Es.
However, it became Pope Francis after 24 hours and five rounds of voting. As the Guardianthe uncertainty about the next leader of the approximately 1.4 billion Catholics It is bigger than ever since most of them have not been involved in a conception again, and the team’s geographical dispersion makes the final decision unpredictable.
Betting companies and observers of the Vatican had already begun to speculate on possible successors since Pontifical’s health had begun to deteriorate. The stakes for choosing a new pope are unusually high.
Eight out of ten cardinals have been appointed by Pope Francis the last twelve years, while 20 became cardinals just in December last year. Many met in Rome last week after Pontiff’s death.
Follow the dominant names that is likely to spread Pope Francis:
The four dominant
THE Cardinal Pietro Parolin regarded now ‘The main candidate’, the big favorite To become the next Pope, though “not sure”. The 70 -year -old Italian Parolin from Veneto is the highest bastion member of the Conquerment and has long been a prudent and moderate personality.
Recently, in an interview with the Italian newspaper L’Eco Di Bergamo, he commented on various geopolitical issues, saying: “Everyone can contribute to peace, but solutions should never be pursued through unilateral impositions that are in danger of trampling on the right.”
A well -informed Vatican official told the Independent: “It is difficult to know if he is really the main candidate, because the cardinals are very difficult to read. It is a strange team and many do not know each other well. What the media considers “good candidate” can be completely different from what they believe.
But Parolin is a “sure” choice because everyone knows him, he was kind to everyone and never collided with anyone. He has been working in the Vatican for over ten years and knows how it works. ”
As former Chairman of the Council of Conferences of Bishops of Europe, Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo He is known for his dedication to Maria, the mother of Jesus.
Is her top candidate conservative wing of the church and is expected to be the Main rival of Parolin In the first votes. The 72 -year -old Hungarian is known for his conservative attitude, as he has opposed the granting of divine community to divorced or remarried Catholics, believing in the insoluble nature of marriage.
It has also compared the reception of refugees with human trafficking. Erto became a cardinal in 2003 by Pope John Pavlos II.
As the seventh Philippine who became a cardinal, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle It could be the first Asian Pope. Is often called the “Asian Francis” or “Francis No 2” because of his resemblance to Pope Francis. Tagle has expressed left -wing views and criticized the Church’s language against homosexuals, single mothers and divorced. 2015 had stated:
“The harsh words used in the past for homosexuals, divorced and single mothers were very strict and caused them to isolate them from society.”
However, there are doubts if he has real support from the Cardinals or whether they are mainly “prominent” in the media.
THE Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbatist Pitsambalain his 60s, he is much younger than other candidates and has been converted by ‘underdog» in a serious favorite. He is the head of the Catholics in the Holy Land in a period of intense events in the Middle East.
Pitsabala’s election would be an important geopolitical event, at a time when the Church has criticized the government of Netanyahu.
However, he held a neutral stance, first condemning Hamas’ attacks on October 7 and was offered in return for the liberation of Israeli hostage children.
He is also a great scholar of the Bible and a personal elector of Pope Francis, who called him almost daily. He is expected to garner votes in the Conclave, and if not elected now due to age, he will be a strong candidate in the future.
Strong candidates
Pope Francis’s favorite and president of the Italian Bishops’ Synod from 2022 is Cardinal Matteo Tsupi.
The 69 -year -old has traveled to peacekeeping in Ukraine and the US. A proponent of a more positive discourse to the LGBT+ community, he had written that a new pastoral way of approaching the “LGBT community brothers” needed.
On the other hand Cardinal Raymond Leo Berk He is known for his traditional views, often in contrast to Francis’ liberal tendencies. He argues that Catholic politicians who are in favor of abortion should not receive the Divine Thanksgiving.
THE Maltese Cardinal Mario Grek, He is now considered the most progressive candidate. It is in favor of approaching the LGBT+ community and the progressive interpretation of the teaching of the Church.
THE Archbishop of Marseilles, 66 years old, Cardinal Jean-Marc Abelin It has gained ground among moderate. Known for his liberal and consensual attitude.
By Africa
THE 76 -year -old Gunish Cardinal Peter Terkson It could become the first black Pope after the 5th century. Politically leftist, advocate of social justice, but theologically conservative.
THE 79 -year -old by Guinea Cardinal Robert Sara He is a traditional traditional and ally of Pope Benedict. It opposes any recognition of homosexuality, although it has expressed deep respect for Islam.
The 65 -year -old Archbishop of Kinshasa Kardinalios Friedolin Abongo Besungu It goes up to the lists of candidates. Conservative and vigorous defender of universal teaching in Africa.
The conclave
According to the forecasts, but also with the applicable regulation, the gates of the Sistine Hat is expected to close for its realization First voting of the Cardinals from May 5 onwards.
After convening the Conclave the cardinals They vote once on the first day and beyond that there are four votes daily.
Two in the morning and two in the afternoon until the new Pope is elected by a 2/3 majority.
This process usually completes within a few days.
As the protocol dictates after the doors are closed, the Cardinals swear for absolute confidentiality and have no contact with the outside world.
Each of them writes his choice on a ballot paper which he places in a special container. Cardinals use their graphic character, but there is an urge to distort it in some way that it cannot be easily read.
After the new Pope has been elected, it is transferred to the tear room next to the Sistine hats where the white vestments, which are sewn in three different sizes.
Along with his White tobacco Following is the announcement of the result and the name of the new Pope.
Information from Independent