Red-hatted cardinals are expected to set a date on Monday for the conclave to elect a new pope, following the death of Pope Francis. Dozens of cardinals from around the world have been gathering at the Vatican since the 88-year-old Argentine pontiff passed away on 21st of April .
So far, there are few indications about who the next pope might be. Spanish Cardinal José Cobo, speaking to El País, noted, “If Francis was the pope of surprises, this conclave will be too,” highlighting the unpredictability of the upcoming election, especially as many cardinals are meeting each other for the first time.
Pope Francis was laid to rest on Saturday with a funeral that drew 400,000 people to St. Peter’s Square and beyond. His marble tomb at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, outside the Vatican walls, has since drawn vast crowds of pilgrims.
As the world grapples with multiple crises, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State under Francis, is considered a frontrunner. British bookmakers William Hill list Parolin slightly ahead of Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, with Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson also among the favorites. Other contenders include Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, and Matteo Zuppi of Bologna.
Ricardo Cruz, a Filipino visitor to Francis’s tomb, expressed hope that the next pope would come from Asia but emphasized the importance of simply choosing the “right pope.”
While Pope Francis was widely respected for his efforts to create a more compassionate Church, he also faced criticism, particularly from conservative factions in the U.S. and Africa. Church historian Roberto Regoli noted that cardinals will likely seek a leader who can “forge greater unity” during these polarized times, suggesting the conclave might not conclude quickly.
Cardinals have been holding general meetings since Francis’s death. Their fifth meeting, set for Monday morning, is expected to finalize the conclave date, likely for 5th or 6th of May, following the nine days of papal mourning.
There are currently 252 cardinals, but only 135 under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. About 80% of the electors were appointed by Francis, though that doesn’t guarantee they will choose a pope similar to him.
The conclave, held under strict secrecy in the Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo’s famed ceiling, typically involves four votes per day until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. With fewer than half the electors from Europe, the choice could reflect the Church’s global nature.
“We need a courageous leader,” one observer remarked, “someone bold and steady, able to guide the Church through these uncertain times.”
