Cardinals are Set to Pick a New Pope After Death of Pope Francis as they gathered at the Vatican on Monday to fix a date for the new election. Red-robed cardinals held meetings to set the timeline for choosing a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, following the death of Pope Francis. The secret election is expected to start on May 7, after nine days of official mourning.
The Church’s 252 cardinals rushed back to Rome after Pope Francis died on April 21. However, only 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote. They come from across the globe and many do not know each other well. Despite this, they have already met four times in what are called “general congregations” to build familiarity before the conclave where Cardinals Set to Pick New Pope After Death of Pope Francis.
Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti said there was a “beautiful, fraternal atmosphere” during the meetings. Still, he admitted that challenges could arise because of the large number of voters and their limited familiarity with one another.
There Is No Clear Favorite Yet for New Pope
There are no clear favorites yet. Spanish Cardinal Jose Cobo said, “I believe that if Francis has been the pope of surprises, this conclave will be too, as it is not at all predictable.” His comment points to the uncertainty as Cardinals Set to Pick New Pope After Death of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis was laid to rest on Saturday in a ceremony that drew 400,000 mourners, including world leaders and pilgrims. He chose to be buried outside the Vatican walls, aligning with his wish to be known as the “pope of the poor.”
Speculations are swirling about the next pope. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin leads the predictions. British bookmakers also rank Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson as strong contenders. Others mentioned include Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Guinea’s Cardinal Robert Sarah, and Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna.
However, even though Pope Francis appointed most of the current voting cardinals, that does not automatically mean they will pick someone just like him.
Church Faces Tough Choices During Conclave
With wars, political instability, and crises rocking the world, the Catholic Church must elect a strong and courageous leader. Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga of the Central African Republic said the next pope must have “a universal heart” and “must not look at colour, at origin, but at what is proposed.”
He emphasized, “We need a courageous leader, a bold one, capable of speaking forcefully, of holding the helm of the Church steady even in storms… offering stability in an era of great uncertainty.”
Many hope for a pope similar to Francis, but others say the Church must heal its internal divisions. Professor Roberto Regoli warned that cardinals would look for someone “who knows how to forge greater unity.” He also hinted that the process could take longer because of growing polarization inside Catholicism.
An Italian visitor, Patrizia Spotti, expressed hope that the new pontiff would carry on Francis’ legacy. “Churches are empty. And the Church itself has made mistakes, all the scandals with the children,” she said.
While Pope Francis’ legacy is celebrated, many insist that the Church must confront its scandals and regain the public’s trust. As the Cardinals get ready to Pick New Pope After Death of Pope Francis, all eyes are on the Vatican for what could be a truly historic moment.
