by InTrieste
As the Catholic Church enters a new period of reflection and transition following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, cardinals from around the world are gathering in Vatican City to begin the secretive process of selecting the 267th pope.
The conclave, which begins today, Wednesday 7 May, within the frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel, will bring together 133 cardinal-electors, the majority of whom were appointed by Francis himself. The voting process, conducted in absolute confidentiality, will continue until a new pontiff is chosen with the required two-thirds majority.
The makeup of this College of Cardinals reflects Pope Francis’s decade-long push to diversify the leadership of the Church, placing emphasis on representation from the global south and prioritizing pastoral experience over traditional Vatican career paths. Cardinals from Asia, Africa, and Latin America are expected to play a more prominent role than in previous conclaves.
Speculation about frontrunners has intensified in recent weeks. Among the names most frequently mentioned is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State and a seasoned diplomat who is seen by many as a stabilizing figure. Fluent in both Church doctrine and geopolitics, Parolin is widely viewed as a candidate who could maintain continuity with Francis’s vision.
Another widely discussed figure is Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna, known for his advocacy in peace negotiations and his pastoral approach to marginalized communities. His ties to the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic lay organization involved in international conflict resolution, have added to his profile.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, currently serving in a senior Vatican position overseeing evangelization, represents a possible shift toward Asia. A charismatic communicator with a focus on social justice and the poor, Tagle is admired by many as a global face of a modern, inclusive Church.
From Africa, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo are both seen as potential candidates. Their candidacies speak to the growing prominence of African Catholicism, which continues to experience rapid growth in both numbers and influence.
While the identity of the next pope remains uncertain, many observers believe the election will reflect the broader themes that have marked Francis’s papacy: a Church more attuned to the peripheries, more pastoral than doctrinal, and more engaged with the modern world’s social and environmental challenges.
For now, the cardinals will enter into silence and prayer, as smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney becomes the only signal to the outside world. White smoke will indicate that a decision has been made, ushering in a new chapter for the Catholic Church—and for over 1.3 billion faithful around the globe.
