Who Will Be the Next Pope?
Who Will Be the Next Pope?
The Pope has served as the visible head of the Catholic Church and the bishop of Rome since the 1st century.
A total of 266 Popes has been listed by the Annuario Pontificio (Pontifical Yearbook), starting with Gregory V (May 3, 996, to February 18, 999) to Pope Francis (March 13, 2013, to the present day).
Unfortunately, Pope Francis has recently experienced various health issues, including two intestinal surgeries and the flu. Also, he is currently living with one lung, as one part was removed when he was younger due to a respiratory infection.
As every Pope must face their mortality at some point, it is natural for many to wonder who the next Pope will be.
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Where is the Next Pope Likely From?
After many centuries of Italian and European Popes, the cardinals appointed Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2013. It was the first time in history that a Pope hailed from Latin America.
As Pope Francis has created 95 cardinal electors from 70 nations, the conclave is more diverse than ever.
However, Europe is still the most represented continent, as it has 52 cardinal electors. The second is Asia, with 22 cardinal electors, and the third is North America and Africa, with 17. Statistically, there is a greater likelihood that the next Pope will be European.
Also, it is believed the current cardinals hope to return to a more orderly government style, which previous European Popes have delivered.
Many believe a Pope from the developing world could be a wise path. For instance, Cardinal Luis Antonios Tagle from the Philippines would likely be celebrated by liberals and may better reflect the church’s changing demographic.
Who Will Likely Be the Next Pope?
Peter Erdo, the current archbishop of Esztergom–Budapest, is a likely choice for the next Pope. It is believed he would shine a spotlight on Europe, as he served two terms as president of the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe.
Of course, Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Schiavon, Veneto, Italy, might feel a natural choice, as he’s the second highest ranking official at the Vatican and is already helping to support diplomatic relations with China.
However, if the cardinal electors choose to move away from Europe, 80-year-old Cardinal Marc Ouellet from La Motte, Quebec, Canada, could be appointed Pope. If so, he would make history by becoming the first Pope from North America.
There was much speculation that Ouellet would be appointed Pope in 2013. However, he reportedly asked backers to switch to Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who is now Pope Francis, and once stated the position “would be a nightmare”.
Other possible options for the powerful position include Archbishop Angelo Scala (Italy), Cardinal Christoph Schonborn (Austria), and Cardinal Sean O’Malley (USA), to name a few.