In the past 200 years, only four dads have not been 60 years at election time, and in the centuries of XX – XXI. The average age of the Pontiff during election time is 67.5 years.
In May, the conclave will gather in the Vatican – more than 100 cardinals will decide who will be the next pope. In this theory, any man has been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church can be a pope. However, since 1378, the Pontiff has been elected exclusive cardinals, and the Cardinals, in turn, have been selected by the current father. In the past 200 years, only four dads have not been 60 years at election time, and in the centuries of XX – XXI. The average age of Pontiff (again, at election time) is 67.5 years.
Secretary of State of the Vatican
The greatest opportunity to become a new pope, according to journalists, is the Italian Pietro Passolin, which since 2013 is the Vatican State Secretary, in fact the city-state’s foreign affairs minister. Pope Francis, a passolin of the Pope in the event of an election, has clearly been the heir to his policy, who heself referred to as “healthy realism”.
Passolin is a classic Catholic diplomat. For 20 years, he traveled more than 100 countries, including North Korea and China. In Beijing, in 2005, he participated in secret negotiations, developing the basis of the Vatican recognition of Catholic bishops appointed by local authorities. Since 1951, there is no diplomatic relationship between China and the Vatican, and the number of Catholics in the Celestial Empire has reached 12 million. Some communities are subject to the Vatican there, and some are actually managed by the China Communist Party. Recognizing the passwords of Chinese priests and Pope Francis is considered a diplomatic victory, but human rights defenders are cruelly criticized for it.
Twice the State Secretary, in 2016 and 2024, visited Ukraine with an official five -day visit. He was the first of the official Vatican figures that were justified in thinking of the supply of weapons for the armed forces after the start of the full -scale aggression, he made such a statement on May 2022.
Passolin is considered a clear election favorite, he can be the first Italian since 1978 to lead the Catholic Church. To date, three former Secretaries of the State have been the father: Alexander VII (1655–1667), Clement IX (1667–1669) and Pius XII (1939–1958).
Peaceful messenger in Ukraine
Another Italian, called the possible future father, is the archbishop of Bologna Matteo Zuppy. Scuppy, who became a cardinal in 2019, was considered one of the most progressive applicants for Pontiff role. He traveled around Bologna on a bicycle, freely configured in both LGBTK’s -SEx and community relationships+ as a whole and promotes the rights of prisoners and against the death penalty.
In 2022, he was elected chairman of the Italian Bishop conference.
In 1992, the team, with Dzuppy, acted as a mediator in negotiations, led to the end of the Civil War in Mozambique and the signing of a peace agreement.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Suppi the Vatican’s peaceful envoy to Ukraine. In this capacity, the Bologna Archbishop visited Moscow and met with Patriarch Kirill. Dzuppy met with the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky.
“Child“ Clause
Piebattist Pizzaballa is the youngest cardinal in those called media and bookmaker favorites for Papa’s role. He was only a cardinal in 2023.
In his favor, the experience in the Middle East said: Since 2020, Pizzaballa has been the Latin Patriarch Jerusalem post.
When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Pizzaballa offered himself to be in the process – in exchange for the abducted children.
Patriarch Jerusalem prevents statements on controversial topics, which can play in his favor, the New York Times records. However, the age probably played against him: for Dad he was very young.
Orbite by Orban
The Archbishop of Budapest Peter Erdo is considered the most promising candadat to the father from the church’s conservative wing. He opened up against the same -sex marriage and against the entry of Catholics who had melted and entered the wedding newly.
The Hungarian Cardinal is called a supporter of prime minister Viktor Orban. In 2015 Pope Francis called on Catholic priests in Europe to receive refugees, Erdo said it was like trafficking to people.
However, Erdo never opposed Pope Francis tomorrow – and could be considered as a compromise candidate: with conservative views, not too charismatic, but pragmatic.
Erdo was twice elected by the Chairman of the Bishop Conference Council in Europe – in 2005 and 2011. These are the European Cardinals who now make up most of the conclave, who will choose the new dad.
Erdo is an expert in church law, he speaks many languages, including Russian. He was appointed Pope John Paul II in 2003 and became the youngest Cardinal at that time (since then, the Cardinals have appeared younger than Erdo).
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.