Pope Francis dies: who will be his successor?

Pope Francis dies: who will be his successor?

Pope Francis passed away this morning, April 21, 2025. This begins the search for his successor, signaled by white smoke from the Sistine Chapel when a new pope is elected. The Roman Catholic Church is led on an interim basis by the College of Cardinals until a new pope is elected.

Of the 252 cardinals, 138 are under 80 and are therefore entitled to vote. These represent the decisive vote in the election of the new head of the church. Of these cardinals eligible to vote, 109 were appointed by Francis and 22 by Benedict XVI. and 5 by John Paul II. Historical insights show that the influence of European cardinals is declining: in recent years, the proportion of European cardinals eligible to vote fell from 52% in 2013 to 43%.

Possible candidates for the papacy

Attention now turns to the potential candidates who are considered “papabile”. Observers expect that the next pope may come from a non-European country to continue Francis' progressive course. Diplomatic experience and continuity are chosen by many, with Francis' influence having been strengthened by ten consistories in recent years.

• Jean-Marc Aveline (66, Frankreich)
• Peter Erdö (72, Ungarn)
• Mario Grech (68, Malta)
• Pietro Parolin (70, Italien)
• Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle (67, Philippinen)
• Joseph Tobin (72, USA)
• Peter Kodwo Turkson (76, Ghana)
• Matteo Maria Zuppi (69, Italien)
• Ladislav Nemet (Serbien)

Of particular note are Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who represents the progressive wing, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is known for his diplomatic work. Zuppi is also considered a suitable Italian candidate, recognized for his diplomatic skills and peace efforts in Ukraine.

Electoral procedures and historical perspective

The election process will begin after Pope Francis' funeral, with the conclave tasked with electing the new church leader by secret ballot. The date for this will be set no earlier than 14 and no later than 20 days after the Pope's death. The outcome of a conclave is often surprising, adding to the uncertainty of the process.

Historically, conclaves have played a significant role in Roman Catholic history. For example, crucial elections such as the election of Pope John Paul II in 1978 or the election of Pope Francis in 2013 took place in the Sistine Chapel. This tradition highlights the important connection between past and present in the election of the head of the Catholic Church.

In summary, the passing of Pope Francis is a momentous event for the Catholic Church, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining who will assume leadership of the over one billion faithful.

Cosmo reports that...
Rai News offers insights into the candidates…
Wikipedia provides historical data on past papal elections.