Who Will Lead the Catholic Church? Meet the Potential Successors to Pope Francis
PAPAL CONTENDERS 2025
Wanted: A holy man.
Job description: Leading the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.
Location: Vatican City.
There’s no job application, no formal interview, and no LinkedIn shortlist but in early May, the College of Cardinals will step into the Sistine Chapel and begin voting on the next pope. The election follows Pope Francis’ resignation and will mark a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church. And while there are no official candidates, several senior cardinals are widely seen as papabile – those with the qualities thought necessary to wear the white cassock.
Since the late Pope John Paul II broke a centuries-long Italian tradition in 1978, the range of contenders has widened to include voices from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond. When the cardinals gather on 7th May, they’ll be weighing not only spiritual leadership but also experience, global relevance, and the tone they want to set for the future.
Here’s a look at some of the most talked-about names in this very quiet campaign.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Date of Birth: 17 January 1955
Nationality: Italian
Position: Vatican Secretary of State
Created Cardinal by: Pope Francis
If the cardinals want a steady hand and someone who knows the inner workings of the Vatican, one of the papal contenders, Pietro Parolin, may well be near the top of their list. Often described as the Holy See’s version of a prime minister, Parolin has served as Pope Francis’ Secretary of State and has played a lead role in sensitive diplomacy – including the controversial agreement with China on the appointment of bishops, and the Vatican’s part in brokering improved US-Cuba relations in 2014.
He also had involvement, though not criminally charged, in the ill-fated London property deal that landed others in court in 2021.
However, Parolin’s pastoral experience is limited. After losing his father in a car accident as a child, he entered the seminary at just 14. Following ordination, he spent only two years as a parish priest before entering Vatican diplomacy full time. Since then, he’s served in Nigeria, Mexico, and Venezuela, and is regarded by many as a smooth negotiator and a moderate.
He’s also been vocal about conflict, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, calling for “a peace that is solid and lasting, that involves all parties and respects international law.”
Should Parolin be a contender? It would see an Italian return to the papacy after three non-Italian pontiffs in a row.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle
Date of Birth: 21 June 1957
Nationality: Filipino
Position: Pro-Prefect, Dicastery for Evangelisation
Created Cardinal by: Pope Benedict XVI
Another of the papal contenders is Tagle, known for his easy smile and strong communication skills, is one of the more globally recognisable names. He previously served as Archbishop of Manila and is often mentioned as a likely first Asian pope – a move that would reflect the Church’s growing base in Asia and Africa.
Francis brought Tagle to Rome to lead the Church’s evangelisation department, and before that he headed Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican’s charity network. His mother’s side is of Chinese descent, something he references often in relation to Church diversity.
Still, there have been criticisms – notably around his leadership at Caritas, which led to a full management shakeup in 2022. While not directly blamed, the Vatican cited “real deficiencies” affecting staff morale.
Tagle’s supporters see him as someone who understands the modern media landscape and has the charisma to connect with younger generations. “If the next pope needs to be a communicator,” said one theology professor in Manila, “he’d be a strong choice.”
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu
Date of Birth: 24 January 1960
Nationality: Congolese
Position: Archbishop of Kinshasa
Created Cardinal by: Pope Francis
One of the most influential papal contenders and very vocal in the African Church, is Ambongo. He leads the largest Catholic archdiocese on the continent. A strong advocate for social justice and often critical of political and corporate exploitation, he has become a central figure not only in religious matters but also in national discourse in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He’s also known for his conservative theological stance. Earlier this year, he signed a public rejection, on behalf of the continent’s bishops, of Francis’ decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples, a move that firmly established the African Church’s position.
Ambongo hasn’t shied away from controversy. In 2023, Congolese prosecutors launched an investigation into what they called “seditious behaviour” after he publicly condemned the government’s handling of conflict in the east of the country. Still, many admire his forthrightness. “He stands up for people when others won’t,” said a senior Congolese Church official.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
Date of Birth: 11 October 1955
Nationality: Italian
Position: Archbishop of Bologna, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference
Created Cardinal by: Pope Francis
Zuppi’s roots are in Rome, where he began as a street priest, much like Pope Francis. Closely tied to the Sant’Egidio Community, a Catholic movement known for interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding, he helped negotiate the end of Mozambique’s civil war in the 1990s.
More recently, he was appointed as Francis’ personal envoy to help in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, travelling between Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing in attempts to build diplomatic bridges. At home in Italy, he’s taken progressive stances, writing the introduction to the Italian edition of “Building a Bridge,” a book on LGBTQ+ outreach in the Church.
Zuppi’s blend of pastoral care and global diplomacy, plus his association with Francis’ reform-minded approach, makes him one of the most popular papal contenders for those cardinals who want continuity, but with a slightly younger face.
Cardinal Péter Erdő
Date of Birth: 25 June 1952
Nationality: Hungarian
Position: Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
Created Cardinal by: Pope John Paul II
A traditionalist voice among the group, Erdő is a scholar of theology and canon law with fluency in six languages. He’s served as president of the European Bishops’ Conferences and led two of the major Vatican meetings on family life under Francis.
Erdő has remained cautiously aligned with Hungary’s conservative political leadership, but has tried to keep the Church’s role more pastoral than political. He has held firm on Catholic doctrine, including opposition to same-sex marriage and to Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics unless they remain celibate.
During Europe’s 2015 migrant crisis, Erdő struck a balance: promoting humanitarian support while steering clear of the more outspoken migrant advocacy seen from Pope Francis.
He’s seen by many as one of the more steady papal contenders, and one who could return the Church to more traditional lines, without causing division.
As the conclave approaches, these names may rise and fall in prominence behind closed doors. However, one thing is clear: the cardinals gathering in Rome will be choosing not just a spiritual leader, but a global figure whose words and actions will shape debates far beyond the walls of the Vatican.
For those unfamiliar with how the papal election works, the Vatican provides an overview of the papal conclave process, including its rules, traditions, and what happens once the doors of the Sistine Chapel close.
For more updates on global leadership and faith in modern society, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.
[Original Feature Credit | AP News]
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