Vatican Prepares for Conclave as Cardinals Gather to Elect New Pope: Leading contenders to replace Francis as secretive Conclave begins & all eyes on Vatican
- Victor Nwoko
- May 7
- 3 min read
With the conclave set to begin on Wednesday, the Vatican is the focus of global attention as cardinals from around the world gather to elect the next pope. The event marks the end of the mourning period for Pope Francis and initiates the traditional and solemn process of selecting his successor.
The conclave is composed of 133 eligible cardinals under the age of 80 from the current total of 252, who will participate in a series of secret ballots held in the Sistine Chapel. A two-thirds majority is required to elect the new pontiff, with each cardinal’s vote carrying equal weight.
Preparations in the Vatican are underway, as dignitaries and pilgrims arrive in anticipation of the decision that will shape the future of the Catholic Church. Several candidates have emerged as prominent contenders, reflecting the Church’s internal ideological spectrum and global diversity.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, currently serves as the Vatican Secretary of State and is widely viewed as the leading candidate. Known for his diplomatic experience in Nigeria and Mexico, Parolin occupies a centrist position on major Church issues and is seen as a continuation of Pope Francis’s legacy.
Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő, 72, is a leading conservative figure and a former President of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe. A devout Marian with strong views opposing Holy Communion for divorced or remarried Catholics, Erdő has also made headlines for controversial remarks linking refugee intake to human trafficking. He is fluent in Hungarian, English, Italian, French, and Latin.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, has been dubbed the “Asian Pope Francis” for his progressive views, including criticism of the Church’s traditional stance on LGBTQ+ individuals, divorcees, and single mothers. Though once considered a favorite, his current support among cardinals is uncertain. If elected, he would become the first Asian pope.
French Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline, 66, of Marseille, could become the first French pope since the 14th century. Aveline has championed interfaith dialogue and supported Pope Francis’s humanitarian approach to migration. However, his lack of fluency in Italian may be seen as a disadvantage.
Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, is among the youngest candidates. With decades of experience living in Jerusalem, his insight into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may influence fellow cardinals amid global geopolitical tensions.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, is another strong contender. He led a Vatican mission to seek peace in the Russia-Ukraine war and advocates progressive engagement with LGBTQ+ communities. He is considered a close ideological ally of Pope Francis.
Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Besungu, 65, has publicly opposed Pope Francis’s decree on blessing homosexual unions, arguing such practices would create scandal in Africa. If elected, his papacy could reverse several progressive reforms implemented under Francis.
Cardinal Mario Grech, 67, of Malta, is seen as a moderate, emphasizing inclusivity toward individuals marginalized by Church teachings on sexuality and marriage. Elevated by Francis in 2020, he represents a bridge between tradition and reform.
Cardinal Raymond Burke, 76, from the United States, is an unyielding conservative voice. A staunch defender of traditional Latin Mass, he opposes communion for divorced and remarried Catholics and rejects modern Church positions on civil marriage, contraception, and LGBTQ+ acceptance.
As the conclave begins, the decision will signal whether the Catholic Church chooses to deepen the reforms of Pope Francis or shift back toward traditionalism. The outcome will define the Church's path in a time of global change, internal debate, and growing calls for unity and renewal.
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