Will the Next Pope be From Asia?

On March 13, 2013, Pope Francis made history by becoming the first pope from the Americas, as he was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936.

His election by the College of the Cardinals marked a new direction for the Catholic Church, as he was the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere.

In addition to caring for the poor and marginalized, Pope Francis has remained dedicated to pursuing reform within the Catholic Church.

As a result, it is likely his successor will follow in his footsteps by representing global Catholicism. With the rise of religion in Asia, many people speculate about whether the next Pope will be from Asia. Keep reading to learn more.

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Pope Francis’s Commitment to Global Representation

Pope Francis has routinely expressed his desire to improve the Catholic Church’s global representation and inclusivity.

For this reason, the papacy will likely continue to move away from electing European Popes, meaning an Asian pope could be chosen by the College of Cardinals when they return to conclave.

However, current betting odds indicate the next pope is most likely to hail from Africa, likely due to the religion’s increase in popularity across the continent. Still, there is a chance the next pope could be from a country in Asia.

A Choice of Many Prominent Asian Cardinals

Many respected Asian cardinals could be strong candidates for the papacy when the time comes to elect a new pope by secret ballot.

For example, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who hails from the Philippines, has earned international respect and has had many roles in the Vatican.

For example, he is the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, meaning he is responsible for coordinating and promoting the Catholic Church’s international evangelization efforts.

Also, he has earned Pope Francis’s trust and respect, as he appointed him the Special Envoy to the National Eucharistic Congress in the United States.

Cardinal Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon, born in Lam Dong, Vietnam, is another potential candidate for the papacy. He has served as a prominent figure in Vietnam, where Catholicism continues to grow. Thanks to his leadership in the Asian community, he might be a natural choice to expand the Catholic Church’s global representation.

Other possible Asian candidates for the next pope include Cardinal John Tong Hon from Hong Kong, Cardinal George Alencherry from India, Cardinal Thomas Aquino Kiet Nguyen from Vietnam, and Cardinal Oswald Gracias from India.

Related: Next Pope After Francis I: Will He Be from Africa?

A Growing Catholic Population in Asia

Catholicism is growing significantly in Asia. For instance, the Philippines’ third-largest Catholic population continues to grow.

Also, China and India reportedly have the largest and most active communities internationally.

For the above reasons, an Asian pope could help the religion grow further in countries across the continent while helping to strengthen its global voice.

Conclusion

With the Catholic Church appearing more committed to global representation, the College of Cardinals may elect an Asian cardinal to replace Pope Francis when the time comes.

However, betting odds point to African or European candidates being stronger candidates for the papacy. Still, it is difficult to predict who will prove most popular with the cardinals, and they may even choose to elect a North or South American cardinal.

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