Meet the 15 Cardinals Who Could Replace Pope Francis – Including Two African

Two African Cardinals, 13 Others Emerge as Potential Successors to Pope Francis

While this list reflects the most prominent figures considered “papabili”—those who could potentially be elected pope—it remains speculative. The next pontiff may yet emerge from outside this circle.

The April 21 death of Pope Francis has ushered in a solemn period of mourning within the Roman Catholic Church. Simultaneously, it has reignited speculation over who might succeed the late pontiff and assume the role of spiritual leader to the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.

From seasoned diplomats and theologians to reform-minded clerics and staunch conservatives, here are 15 cardinals viewed as frontrunners to become the next Bishop of Rome, categorized by region.

Also Read : Pope Francis (1936-2024): The Definitive Biography of His Life, Legacy, and Final Days

EUROPE

Pietro Parolin (Italy), 70 – Vatican Secretary of State
Regarded as the Vatican’s top diplomat, Cardinal Parolin has served as the Holy See’s Secretary of State throughout most of Francis’s papacy. A member of the pope’s inner Council of Cardinals, he was instrumental in negotiating the 2018 landmark agreement between the Vatican and China concerning bishop appointments.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy), 60 – Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
As the highest-ranking Catholic official in the Middle East, Pizzaballa oversees a critical region encompassing Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Cyprus. Appointed cardinal shortly before the outbreak of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, he has become a visible advocate for peace and dialogue across religious and political lines.

Matteo Maria Zuppi (Italy), 69 – Archbishop of Bologna
A prominent peace negotiator and member of the Sant’Egidio community, Zuppi is well-known for his humanitarian outreach and efforts to include marginalized groups. Recently, he served as the Vatican’s peace envoy in the Ukraine conflict and has chaired the Italian Episcopal Conference since 2022.

Claudio Gugerotti (Italy), 69 – Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches
An expert in Slavic affairs and a veteran Vatican diplomat, Gugerotti has served as nuncio in numerous countries, including Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Appointed to oversee the Eastern Churches in 2022, he plays a pivotal role in navigating delicate ecclesiastical and geopolitical relationships.

Jean-Marc Aveline (France), 66 – Archbishop of Marseille
Born in Algeria and raised in Marseille, Aveline is a vocal proponent of interfaith dialogue and migrant rights—principles that closely mirror those championed by Pope Francis. A cardinal since 2022, he is considered a bridge-builder between faiths and cultures.

Anders Arborelius (Sweden), 75 – Bishop of Stockholm
Sweden’s first cardinal and a convert from Lutheranism, Arborelius is known for his conservative theological stance while advocating for migrants. He maintains a firm position against same-sex unions and female deacons, aligning with traditional Church teachings.

Mario Grech (Malta), 68 – Bishop emeritus of Gozo
As Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Grech navigates Church debates on issues ranging from divorce to gender roles. He has expressed a commitment to maintaining Church hierarchy while fostering inclusive dialogue.

Peter Erdo (Hungary), 72 – Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
A scholar of canon law and fluent in seven languages, Erdo’s conservative stances have attracted scrutiny due to his ties with Hungary’s nationalist government. Nonetheless, he remains a significant figure in European Catholicism.

Jean-Claude Hollerich (Luxembourg), 67 – Archbishop of Luxembourg
A Jesuit and Council of Cardinals adviser, Hollerich spent over two decades in Japan and brings a cross-cultural perspective to the Church. He advocates for environmental stewardship and greater lay participation.

ASIA

Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), 67 – Archbishop emeritus of Manila
Known for his charisma and social advocacy, Tagle is a frontrunner from Asia. Appointed cardinal in 2012, he has long championed the rights of the poor and marginalized. A fluent English speaker with strong communication skills, he remains a global voice for Catholic renewal.

Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar), 76 – Archbishop of Yangon
As president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, Bo has stood firm in calling for peace amid Myanmar’s political crisis. A staunch defender of the persecuted Rohingya, he was made cardinal in 2015 and continues to advocate for human rights and non-violence.

AFRICA

Peter Turkson (Ghana), 76 – Archbishop emeritus of Cape Coast
Frequently cited as a potential first Black pope, Turkson has downplayed papal ambitions, citing the challenges such a pontificate might face. He is Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences and a respected figure on economic justice.

Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (DR Congo), 65 – Archbishop of Kinshasa
A member of the pope’s advisory council, Ambongo has voiced strong opposition to the Vatican’s stance on blessing same-sex unions. He is a leading voice in Africa’s rapidly growing Catholic community and believes the continent will play a pivotal role in the Church’s future.

AMERICAS

Robert Francis Prevost (USA), 69 – Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo
Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost is responsible for advising on episcopal appointments. With missionary experience in Peru and a strong administrative background, he is increasingly influential within the Vatican hierarchy.

Timothy Dolan (USA), 75 – Archbishop of New York
A high-profile American cardinal, Dolan is known for his media presence and conservative views, particularly his opposition to abortion. While his record includes handling abuse scandals, his leadership in New York has focused on outreach to Hispanic Catholics.

Comparative Overview of Key Candidates

Age and Regional Breakdown of the Papabili

As the world waits for the College of Cardinals to gather in conclave, speculation will continue to swirl around who will carry forward the legacy of Pope Francis. Yet, in the tradition of the Church, the election of a new pontiff often defies expectations.

Whoever is elected will inherit not only Pope Francis’s vision but also the weight of leading 1.3 billion Catholics through a rapidly changing world.

While the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is clear—the next pope will shape the spiritual and moral direction of the Church for decades to come.