Will Cardinal Matteo Zuppi be the Next Pope?

With Pope Francis aging and in declining health, speculation has arisen about who might succeed him as the next pope. One name that has emerged as a potential frontrunner is Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. At 67 years old, Zuppi is relatively young by the standards of papal contenders, and his progressive theological views align closely with those of Pope Francis. Here is a look at why Zuppi could plausibly become the next pope.

Zuppi’s Background

Matteo Zuppi was born in 1955 in Rome and became affiliated with the Catholic lay movement Sant’Egidio as a teenager. He was ordained as a parish priest in Rome, earning the nickname “Don Matteo”. Known for his commitment to the poor and marginalized, Zuppi helped Sant’Egidio expand its outreach programs to immigrants, the homeless, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI named Zuppi an auxiliary bishop of Rome. Nine years later in 2019, Pope Francis elevated him to the rank of cardinal and appointed him Archbishop of Bologna, one of Italy’s most prominent dioceses. Zuppi has continued championing social justice causes as Archbishop, while also building relationships across ideological divides. He is the first member of Sant’Egidio to become a cardinal.

According to Betentodds.com, there’s only a 3.45% chance that Cardinal Matteo Zuppi will be the next pope – with odds of 29 – but never say never!

Progressive Credentials

Ideologically, Zuppi would represent a continuation of the progressive course set by Francis. He has expressed openness to building bridges with other religions and denominations, rather than confrontation. On social issues, he supports a welcoming approach to gay and divorced Catholics, as well as gradual reform on matters like married priests and female deacons. This puts him in line with Francis’ emphasis on inclusion and pastoral sensitivity.

As president of the Italian bishop’s conference, Zuppi has had to navigate divisions between conservative and progressive factions. His even-keeled leadership style has won praise for promoting dialogue and synodality. He is seen as someone who can bridge ideological gaps, rather than widening them. This could make him an attractive compromise candidate in a divided papal conclave.

Experience and Electability

What boosts Zuppi’s resume is that he combines pastoral service with high-level administrative experience. He has spent most of his career working directly with Catholic communities as a parish priest. But as Archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian bishop’s conference, he also acquired leadership skills and visibility within the worldwide church. This blend of on-the-ground ministry and management abilities could serve the role of pope well.

In addition, Zuppi’s Italian nationality gives him a base of potential support in the College of Cardinals, where over 20% of voters are Italian. The Italian bloc has long played a major role in the politics of papal elections. While non-European candidates are drawing more interest lately, being from the Eurocentric Vatican heartland can still be advantageous.

On the other hand, Zuppi’s young age could be a liability. At 67, he would be the youngest pope in over 150 years. Some cardinals may prefer an older, seasoned veteran to steer the church. His close ties with Sant’Egidio – seen by some as overly leftist – could also limit support among conservative electors.