Who can be the next Pope after the death of Pope Francis?
Age and Background: Popes are typically (but not always) chosen from among cardinals under 80, though older candidates can be elected. Geographic diversity is increasingly relevant, with growing emphasis on the Global South.

Who can be the next Pope after the death of Pope Francis?
Alignment with Current Trends: Pope Francis has emphasized pastoral outreach, social justice, and sodality, which could influence the choice of a successor.
Surprise Factor: History shows unexpected candidates can emerge (e.g., Pope John Paul I in 1978 or Pope Francis himself in 2013).
Potential Candidates Often Mentioned
Europe
Pietro Parolin (Italy): Vatican Secretary of State, a skilled diplomat with deep knowledge of the Curia.
Matteo Zippy (Italy): Archbishop of Bologna and head of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, known for mediating conflicts and social justice work.
Christoph Schön born (Austria): Archbishop of Vienna, a theologian and reformer, though his age (79) may be a factor.
Africa
Fridolin Am bongo Bungu (DR Congo): Archbishop of Kinshasa and prominent voice for the Global South, advocating for social justice and environmental issues.
Peter Turkson (Ghana): Former head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with a focus on poverty and climate.
Latin America
Marcelo Semeraro (Italy/Brazil): Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, close to Pope Francis.
Carlos Aguiar Retes (Mexico): Archbishop of Mexico City, known for interfaith dialogue and pastoral pragmatism.
Asia
Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, popular for his humility and focus on the poor.
Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar): A vocal advocate for democracy and human rights in a challenging political context.
North America
Seán O’Malley (USA): Archbishop of Boston, respected for addressing clergy abuse and pastoral outreach.
Robert Prevost (USA): Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, with missionary experience in Peru.
Wildcards
A younger cardinal (e.g., 50s–60s) to lead a long pontificate.
A non-cardinal, though this is rare (the last non-cardinal Pope was Urban VI in 1378).
A candidate from Asia or Africa, reflecting Catholicism’s demographic shift.
Themes for the Next Pontificate
The next Pope’s priorities might include:
Synodality: Continuing Francis’s emphasis on decentralized governance.
Global South Focus: Addressing poverty, migration, and post-colonial challenges.
Interfaith Dialogue: Navigating relations with Islam, Hinduism, etc.
Internal Reform: Financial transparency, clergy discipline, and women’s roles.