The race for the Papal throne: Who are the favorites for 2025?

The race for the Papal throne: Who are the favorites for 2025?

Vienna, Österreich - The Catholic Church faces a significant transition phase, since the death of Pope Francis heralds a time of the sedis vacancy on April 24, 2025. This phase in which the Papal throne remains empty represents 1.4 billion Catholics without spiritual leadership. The choice of a new Pope will take place in the Sistine chapel, and the cardinals entitled to vote must move into the conclave at least 20 days after the Pope's death. According to ZDF, the choice begins at the latest 20 days after death and is considered the most secret in the world.

A total of 135 cardinals, which are under 80 at the time of death, will take part in the election, 53 from Europe and 16 from Italy. In this election, over 100 cardinals are excluded from voting due to their age and during this period of grief for the deceased Pope must attend the preparations for the conclave, supplemented by the general congregations.

The favorites for the pope election

• Pietro parolin: 70 years old, number two in the Vatican.
• Pierbattista Pizzaballa: 60 years old, patriarch by Jerusalem, ready to talk in the Middle East conflict.
• matteo Zupi: 69 years old, chairman of the Italian bishops' conference, known for diplomatic skill.
• Peter Erdö: 72 years old, Primas of Hungary, critical look at reforms by Francis.
• Luis Antonio Tagle: 67 years old, former Archbishop of Manila.
• Fridolin Ambongo Besungu: 65 years old, Archbishop of Kinshasa, could become the first African Pope.
• Charles Maung Bo: 76 years old, first cardinal from Myanmar, is committed to social issues.
• Raymond Burke: 76 years old, is considered a conservative critic of Francis.
• Jean-Marc Aveline: Archbishop of Marseille, preserving the values ​​of Francis.
• Jean-Claude Hollerich: 66 years old, influential in the Vatican.

The course of the election

The conclave for the choice of the new Pope will take place in the Sistine chapel after a trade fair in St. Peter's Basilica. As shown in [DW] (https://www.dw.com/de/papst-franziskus-tot--tot- follow-up--sedisvakanz-V2/A-72306012), the cardinals entitled to vote must be accommodated during the concrete without means of communication. They release their voices individually and make an oath. A Pope is chosen if he achieves more than two thirds of the votes and accepts the election.

The duration of the conclusion can vary; There is no fixed time limit. In the past, the longest choice lasted up to two years, while Francis was elected after only 26 hours. The upcoming election therefore promises to become a historical event that will follow both the Catholic community and the world.

The grief of the loss of Pope Francis is accompanied by the Novendiale, a nine -day ceremony with daily dead masses in St. Peter's Basilica, before the deceased Pope>