After Pope Francis’s recent health crisis with double pneumonia that reportedly induced kidney failure before he was able to recover, many millions of people around the world are likely curious as to who will succeed Francis as pope in the event he actually does die. It is a very important decision, as the pope is one of the most influential people in the world, being the head of the largest branch of the Christian religion and with the ears and devotion of billions on all seven of the world’s continents. 

With his career wrapping up, pope Francis can be evaluated as one of the most outspoken progressive popes not only recently, but in all the church’s history. Pope Francis has frequently advocated for environmentalism and conservation, criticized capitalism, consumerism, and exploitative economic systems, called for the acceptance of immigrants and refugees, spoke out against prejudice and violence towards LGBT+ people, and many other virtuous decisions and accomplishments. 

Taking the position in 2013, Pope Francis has also had to weather the overwhelming sex abuse scandals which have rocked the catholic church and faith across the world. To properly do this, pope Francis has seemingly done everything in his power to increase the accountability and transparency of the church at all levels, curtailing the power of clerics to act without oversight and punishment. 

But, now that, very unfortunately, Pope Francis’s life and tenure seems to be drawing towards a close, it’s very important to consider who will replace him, and what that will mean for the church. So, to actually review and analyze the options, let’s see who has been described as most likely to succeed Francis, and what that might mean. 

Pietro Parolin 

Cardinal Pietro Parolin is the 70-year-old secretary of state of Vatican City, the smallest country in Europe and the base of the church, making him the highest-ranking cardinal. Parolin is regarded by others as a moderate figure within the church, he has supported Francis more than more conservative figures have, supporting his reformist methods. 

In terms of his own beliefs, Parolin has unequivocally supported peace internationally, decrying both eastern and western military involvements, calling for acceptance of migrants and refugees, and peace in the middle east. Less positively, Parolin has also made explicit statements opposing abortion, saying that life begins at conception, and surrogate motherhood. But these views would be a continuation of Francis and the church’s current views rather than a traditionalist shift, so it’s not exactly surprising. 

Peter Erdö 

Cardinal Peter Erdö is a Hungarian cardinal and former president of the council of bishops conference of Europe. Erdö is notably more conservative and traditional than other options to succeed Francis. Among other things, Erdö’s primary contentious belief is that Catholics who have divorced their spouse, whether they remarried or not, should be excluded from receiving holy communion across the world, amounting to them being excommunicated, excluded from church activities. 

Along with that, Erdö has also spoken against accepting refugees, acquainting taking in refugees to human trafficking. These alarming views mean that Erdö would be a notable conservative shift for the papacy, breaking from Francis’s policies. 

Luis Antonio Tagle 

Tagle, if elected, would be the first East Asian pope in history, being from the Philippines, the largest Catholic majority country in Asia. Tagle is one of the two pro-prefects of the Catholic church, one of two figures in charge of establishing new churches, and formalizing Catholic doctrine on how to preach and spread the faith across the world. 

Along with pope Francis’s beliefs of charity, pacifism, systemic reform, empathy, and altruism, Tagle has made statements against the church’s hostility and lack of acceptance towards gay people, single mothers, and divorced or separated couples. He has decried the church’s previous views and practices, attempting to separate and isolate these people from broader society. But, Tagle has also spoken against abortion, use of contraception measures, and what he calls “practical atheism”, which he says is acting as though no God exists, even if you don’t outright say it.  

Matteo Zuppi 

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is considered by many to be the favorite of pope Francis, has been the president of the episcopal conference of Italy since 2022. Pope Francis’s favor likely means that Zuppi shares his or similar views, meaning that Zuppi succeeding him would be a continuation of current church policy and practice. 

In terms of his own unique views, Zuppi has made many international trips and missions, the most consequential of which has been his visits to Ukraine and Russia. Zuppi has met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Velenskyy, but not Russian president Vladimir Putin, and has frequently encouraged peace be made in the war between both nations. Zuppi has also made positive statements regarding LGBT+ individuals, saying that the Catholic church must foster “reciprocal knowledge and understanding” for a new pastoral approach towards LGBT+ people.  

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/who-will-be-next-pope-francis-health-b2708413.html