With the passing of Pope Francis, the process of selecting a new Pope will begin, but who is in the running?
The beloved pontiff passed away early Monday morning, just hours after delivering what would become his final blessing to a sea of emotional worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday.
Cardinal Farrell confirmed the news with a solemn statement: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35AM this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
Describing Francis’ legacy, he added: “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”
Francis had appeared frail but spirited during Easter Mass.
From his wheelchair, he smiled and waved from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” he greeted the crowd.
He was later driven through the square, blessing babies and handing out gifts to adoring pilgrims, as cries of “Viva il Papa!” — “Long live the Pope” — rang out.
But within hours, the Vatican confirmed the worst: Pope Francis had died at the age of 88, ending a transformative 12-year reign that left its mark on over 1.4 billion Catholics around the globe.
Now, attention shifts to the future — and the highly secretive process to elect the next pope.
Known as the conclave — from the Latin for “with key” — this centuries-old tradition will see 120 cardinal electors under the age of 80 lock themselves inside the Sistine Chapel.
Phones will be confiscated. Newspapers banned. Bug sweeps conducted. After the Latin phrase “extra omnes” (“everyone out”) is declared, the doors will be sealed.
From there, ballots will be cast twice a day. If 30 rounds pass without a two-thirds majority, the top two candidates go head-to-head, with a simple majority determining the next pontiff. Black smoke signals deadlock. White smoke announces: “Habemus papam” — “We have a pope.”
The newly chosen leader is then asked if he accepts and what name he will take. He dons his vestments in the Room of Tears and steps onto the same balcony where Pope Francis made his final appearance to greet the world.
Speculation is already swirling about who might take the reins — and the possibilities span continents, ideologies, and even radically different visions for the future of the Church.
“The next pontiff could come from Africa, Italy, or Sri Lanka — possibly even America,” said Serenhedd James, editor of Britain’s Catholic Herald, per the New York Post.
“Whoever is elected will be of a centrally conservative disposition; after 12 years of Pope Francis ‘stirring things up.’ I think the cardinals will want someone who will take a different, calmer approach.”
Rev. Patrick Mary Briscoe of Our Sunday Visitor added that the Church is likely to see “a renewed clarity of doctrine” and a leader “focused more internally” on governance.
But Francis may still shape the future from beyond the grave. Two-thirds of the cardinals eligible to vote were appointed by him — and some observers believe that ensures his reformist DNA will live on in the next pope.
Briscoe also noted Francis “completely reshaped the makeup” of the College of Cardinals, saying the newer members were “extremely familiar with each other.”
He pointed to the 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, whom Francis extended as “dean” of the college, as a potential kingmaker with “behind-the-scenes influence.”
Among the frontrunners:
Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67: Once considered a protégé of Francis, the Filipino cardinal’s chances may have dipped after alleged “shortcomings” during his time leading Vatican charity Caritas International. Still, Tagle has voiced progressive views, such as suggesting “universal moral principles may ‘not apply in all situations.’”
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70: The Italian Secretary of State is seen as a solid candidate with global diplomatic chops. He has conservative leanings but supported Vatican collaboration with Communist China, earning him a “high chance” of election.
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, 66: Reportedly Francis’ “favorite”, the scholarly and well-liked French cardinal is seen as a “dangerous contender” by critics who say he’s beloved by left-wing factions and supports “strong decentralization.”
Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, 71: This Dutch prelate is both a doctor and a theologian. He sticks closely to traditional doctrine, opposes same-sex couple blessings and “gender therapy,” and rejects the ordination of women — a dream pick for conservatives.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, 77: As archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Ranjith could bring the papacy to booming South Asia. He’s aligned with both Benedict XVI and Francis’ focus on poverty and the environment.
Cardinal Robert Sarah, 79: From Guinea, Sarah is a traditionalist who vocally opposed restrictions on the Latin Mass and blessings for same-sex couples. Critics of Francis love him — and he’d be the first African pope since the 5th century.
Technically, any baptized male Catholic could be chosen. But don’t hold your breath for a surprise outsider.
“The odds of someone other than a cardinal being elected … are lower than a snowball’s chance in hell,” said Kean University historian Christopher Bellitto.
“The last time the Vatican did that was in 1378 and that started the great western schism when we had two and then three popes until 1417,” he said. “They got Celestine V, who was the pope who resigned and Dante put at the doorway of hell.”