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Without any formal campaigning or official candidate list, the election process remains largely opaque, leading to ongoing speculation regarding who will take over from Pope Francis following the conclave set to begin this week. Here are 16 cardinals considered potential favorites, or “papabili,” categorized by region.
AFRICA
Peter Turkson (Ghana), 76, former Archbishop of Cape Coast. Turkson is recognized as one of Africa’s most influential cardinals and has long been discussed as a candidate for the first black pope.
Robert Sarah (Guinea), 79, former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Had Pope Francis lived slightly longer, Robert Sarah would have exceeded the age limit to participate in the conclave due to his approaching 80th birthday on June 16. Nonetheless, he has gained support from conservative Catholics, particularly in the French-speaking regions, as a candidate who might reverse progressive reforms.
Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of Congo), 65, Archbishop of Kinshasa
Ambongo is the sole African cardinal on Pope Francis’s advisory council and currently leads the African bishops' association, SECAM.
EUROPE
Pietro Parolin (Italy), 70, Francis’s second-in-command at the Vatican
Parolin has held the role of secretary of state for nearly the entirety of Francis’s papacy and is recognized for his calm demeanor and diplomatic acumen.
Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy), 60, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Pizzaballa oversees the Catholic community in the Middle East and has called for peace amidst ongoing conflicts in the region.
Matteo Maria Zuppi (Italy), 69, Archbishop of Bologna
Zuppi has served as a discreet diplomatic figure for the Vatican for over three decades, taking on roles such as Pope Francis’s special peace envoy for Ukraine.
Claudio Gugerotti (Italy), 69
A noted academic and diplomat, Gugerotti specializes in Eastern Churches and has avoided taking controversial stances.
Jean-Marc Aveline (France), 66, Archbishop of Marseille
Aveline, originally from Algeria, champions migrant welcoming and interfaith dialogue while being known for his discretion and intellect.
Anders Arborelius (Sweden), 75, Bishop of Stockholm
As Sweden’s first cardinal, Arborelius is a convert to Catholicism and staunch defender of Church doctrine.
Mario Grech (Malta), 68, Bishop emeritus of Gozo
Grech is seen as a potential compromise candidate for the papacy and has navigated between progressive and conservative views.
Peter Erdo (Hungary), 72, Metropolitan Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
An authority on canon law, Erdo is known for his conservative stance on various issues despite being able to communicate across different faiths.
Jean-Claude Hollerich (Luxembourg), 66, Archbishop
Hollerich’s background and advocacy for laypeople’s engagement in the Church highlight a willingness to adapt to changing societal norms.
ASIA
Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), 67, former Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila
Tagle represents Asia as a leading papal candidate, noted for his charisma and critical view of Church shortcomings.
Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar), 76, Archbishop of Yangon
Bo is the first cardinal from Myanmar and has advocated for peaceful dialogue and reconciliation in his conflict-afflicted nation.
AMERICAS
Robert Francis Prevost (United States), 69, Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo
Prevost, recently appointed prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops, has a strong background in missionary work in Peru.
Timothy Dolan (United States), 75, Archbishop of New York
Dolan is a charismatic leader and conservative theologian, actively engaged in outreach to the growing Hispanic Catholic community in New York.
