Who will be the 267th Pope: Twelve serious candidates

Candidates for successor Pope Francis they come from all continents. Those credited with the greatest chances come from Asia, Africa, North America and Europe.

Popes are elected in a mysterious and strictly ritualized process called a conclave - it takes place in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, writes DW.

Only cardinals younger than 80 have the right to vote, and around 120 cardinals participate in the vote.

Here are some of the most serious contenders:

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (67, Philippines, head of the Vatican Office for Evangelization)

Dubbed the "Francis of Asia" because of his focus on social justice, Tagle is seen in some quarters as the favorite to become the first pope from Asia - just as Francis was the first pope from the Americas. On paper, Tagle has all the qualifications to be pope.

However, his chances could be hampered by allegations of abuse at Caritas Internationalis, the global Catholic charity network he has led for years. The Holy See removed him from that position in 2022.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70, Italy, Vatican Secretary of State)

A potential bridge between various factions in the Church, Parolin has been Francis' secretary of state since 2013 and is one of the leading candidates for the papacy. His office is second in rank in the hierarchy, right after the Pope. Conservatives have criticized him for his role in brokering an agreement with Beijing on the appointment of bishops in communist China. His election would return the papacy to Italy, after three non-Italian popes.

Cardinal Peter Turkson (76, Ghana, Vatican official and diplomat)

Potentially the first pope from sub-Saharan Africa. Turkson works in Ghana as a pastor, but also has diplomatic skills and leadership experience within the Vatican. Pope Francis sent him to South Sudan as a special envoy for peace. His dexterity in communication, as well as the fact that he comes from the region where the church has the largest increase in membership, while it is fading in Europe, further enhance his profile.

Cardinal Marc Uelle (79, Canada, former head of the Vatican episcopal office)

As a veteran of the Vatican structures with international experience, Uele has long been considered one of the main candidates for the papacy. It is theologically conservative, which is why traditionalists especially value it. In recent years, he has been the target of allegations of misconduct, but these have been dismissed.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (65, Congo, Archbishop of Kinshasa)

A new star from Africa. Ambongo combines strong traditional views with a commitment to social justice. He is an important voice of a powerfully rising African church. His outspoken opposition to blessing same-sex couples raised his international profile among conservatives.

Matteo Cuppi (69, Italy, Archbishop of Bologna)

Often called "Italy's Bergoglio" because of his resemblance to Pope Francis, Cuppi is a "street priest" who advocates for the poor and migrants, and eschews luxury — sometimes using a bicycle instead of a company car. Conservative church currents may not support him because he is known for his progressive views.

Jean-Marc Avelin (66, France, Archbishop of Marseille)

He is known for his sense of humor and close relationship with Francis, especially regarding immigration and Muslim-Christian relations. If elected, Avelin would be the first French pope since the 14th century and the youngest since John Paul II. He understands Italian, but is not fluent in it - which can be a problem as he would also be the Bishop of Rome.

Cardinal Peter Erdo (72, Hungary, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest)

A strong advocate of traditional Catholic teaching, who nevertheless managed to build bridges with Francis's progressive environment. He was also one of the candidates during the 2013 conclave. He speaks several languages, including Italian, although he is not considered particularly charismatic, he could attract those who want a stable papacy.

Cardinal Mario Grec (68, Malta, General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops)

At the beginning of his career, he was a conservative, and then he became a leading advocate of Francis' reforms. Back in 2014, he called for a more tolerant attitude towards LGBTQ+ Catholics - in a famous speech that was also praised by the Pope. His high position in the Vatican and good connections with different currents make him a serious candidate.

Cardinal Juan José Omelha (79, Spain, Archbishop of Barcelona)

Close to Pope Francis, Omelja leads a modest life despite his high church office. He became a cardinal in 2016, and in 2023 he joined the nine-member advisory body of the pope. His closeness to Francis could be an obstacle if the conclave wants to change direction.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin (72, USA, Archbishop of Newark)

Although it is unlikely that the pope will be from the US, Tobin is the most realistic candidate among Americans. Born in Detroit, he is fluent in Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. He has been praised for his handling of a serious sexual abuse scandal. He is also known for his openness towards LGBTQ+ people.

Cardinal Angelo Scola (83, Italy, former Archbishop of Milan)

In the 2013 conclave, Scola was one of the favorites. His supporters praise his theological acuity and good standing among those who favor a more centralized church. However, he exceeded the upper age limit of 80 to vote in the conclave. While it is technically possible to elect a pope outside of an electoral body, it is rare in the modern age.

We should not forget the old saying: "Young cardinals elect old popes."

That cynical aphorism reflects a traditional pattern in conclaves—suggesting that younger, ambitious cardinals prefer to elect an older pope—one whose reign won't last too long.