Apr, 21 2025
Pope Francis' Passing Ignites a New Papal Race
Nothing sends shockwaves through the Catholic world quite like the death of a pope. With Pope Francis' death landing on Easter Monday, the Vatican is quickly turning from mourning to serious planning. All eyes are now on Rome as the College of Cardinals prepares for a secretive and tradition-heavy process known as the conclave. Choosing a new pope is never just about religion—it's about global influence, church directions, and sometimes, a surprise twist.
The Catholic Church hasn’t had to do this since 2013, when the College delivered an unexpected decision, choosing Jorge Bergoglio—a little-known cardinal from Argentina who became Pope Francis. The ensuing years saw Francis shake up the Church, advancing a reformist style and challenging the status quo. Now, the big question is whether his vision will continue or if the Cardinals will apply the brakes.
How the Conclave Unfolds: Rules, Rituals, and Rounds
After a pope’s funeral, it’s not straight into voting. First comes a nine-day novena—a period marked by formal prayers, tributes, and the arrival of all eligible cardinals in Rome. Only after this sacred pause does the real process begin. All cardinals under the age of 80 are sequestered inside the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, banned from phones and completely cut off from the outside world. Tradition, secrecy, and strict rules reign; even brief leaks are out of the question.
Technically any baptized Catholic man can become pope, but for the last 700 years, popes have always come from the College of Cardinals. Their deliberations are as mysterious as ever. Voting proceeds through rounds, each followed by a burning of ballots. Black smoke signals deadlock. White smoke, fluttering from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, tells the world a new leader has been chosen. The twist? The man elected can actually refuse the job—a rule that adds yet another layer of suspense to the process.
The process is not merely a ritual. It’s a high-stakes election where alliances, ideologies, and personalities collide—sometimes yielding an expected winner, but often surprising even Vatican insiders.
Meet the Contenders: Familiar Faces and Wild Cards
This year’s list of likely frontrunners comes packed with both continuity choices and potential agents of change. The early favorite is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Italy’s Vatican Secretary of State. Parolin is no stranger to global diplomacy and, as Francis’ right-hand man, represents an endorsement of current reforms.
Other contenders bring different backgrounds and priorities. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, known for his work in tricky Middle East negotiations, could offer a pope with a keen eye on international hotspots. On another front is Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana, who previously led the Vatican’s office dealing with global development. If elected, Turkson would be the first African pope in over a millennium, a decision that would signal real change for a worldwide church.
The list goes on. Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet is experienced but recently retired, while Archbishop Rino Fisichella has made his mark with evangelization efforts. Ivan Gugerotti is known as a steady diplomatic hand, having been consulted on the Church’s response to the war in Ukraine.
- Pietro Parolin: Steady, diplomatic, and respected insider.
- Pierbattista Pizzaballa: Grounded in conflict resolution, especially in the often-tense Holy Land.
- Peter Turkson: Represents global South, with a focus on social development.
- Rino Fisichella: Connected to modern evangelization efforts.
- Marc Ouellet: Experienced but possibly viewed as a traditionalist.
- Ivan Gugerotti: Known for his work on Ukraine-Russia, showing a diplomatic edge and international awareness.
Picking a new pope is never a simple choice between a few names. The cardinals’ votes are deeply personal and political. They weigh not just the candidates' beliefs or skills, but also the direction they want the Church to take. Do they double down on Francis' reforms? Do they favor stability and a return to traditionalism? Or do they chart a completely unexpected course?
With all the secrecy and ceremony, predicting the next pope is as much art as science. History has proven that anything can happen behind those closed Vatican doors. For the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, and plenty of curious onlookers, every twist in the process is impossible to ignore.