The 2025 papal conclave has officially begun, with 133 cardinals gathering in the Sistine Chapel to choose the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. This conclave is notable for its global representation, with electors from 71 countries, including Italy, the U.S., and Brazil.
Top Contenders:
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): As the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Parolin is a moderate figure with broad support across both progressive and conservative factions of the Church. He is currently seen as one of the leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis.
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Known for his global outreach and pastoral approach, Tagle was once considered a frontrunner due to his alignment with Pope Francis’s reformist agenda.
- Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea): A conservative voice, Sarah has gained support from traditionalist factions within the Church for his strong stances on liturgical tradition and Church doctrine.
- Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France): Archbishop of Marseille, Aveline is recognized for his balanced leadership style and his ability to bridge different ideological divides, making him a potential candidate for the papacy.
Conclave Process:
The conclave operates under strict confidentiality, with cardinals casting votes twice daily until one candidate reaches a two-thirds majority. The results are signaled by the color of smoke emitted from the Sistine Chapel: black for no decision and white when a new pope is elected.
Though the leading contenders are clear, the conclave’s outcome remains unpredictable, as history has shown with the election of Pope Francis in 2013. As the process unfolds, the world is watching closely to see who will emerge as the next leader of the Catholic Church.
