The College of Cardinals convened in Rome. After the long, defining reign of Pope Francis, they are gathering for a special conclave to choose his successor. As of April 28, 133 cardinals with voting rights have been engaging in discussions to shape the future direction of the Catholic Church. The urgency of the conclave is underscored by the need for a leader who can serve as a bridge and guide for “disoriented humanity marked by the crisis of the world order,” according to a Vatican official.
Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta expressed concerns about the deliberations, stating, “There’s a lot of confusion” after listening to addresses from 50 cardinals. For any successor, the challenge of uniting a vast and divided college of cardinals will be great. This challenge is all the more daunting when viewed through the prism of Pope Francis’s legacy.
Speculation about possible successors has run wild, with more than 20 names bandied about as possible replacements. Since Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis in 2013. Unpredictable indeed, because on his own conclave he wasn’t considered a frontrunner himself.
The cardinals know that time is of the essence. They want to make their conclave more concise, aiming for a length of only three to four days. The sense of urgency is palpable. It is universally accepted that the next pope will need to address the modern-day challenges of the Church and faithful Catholics around the globe.
Luis Antonio Tagle, the reform-minded cardinal from the Philippines, is frequently referred to as “the Asian Francis.” Over time, he grew increasingly popular among progressive factions within the college. Conservative figures like Raymond Burke and Gerhard Müller are advocating for a more traditional successor to Pope Francis. As Müller has recently cautioned, if an orthodox pope is not elected, a schism within the Church may be inescapable.
Though the conclave has so far been entirely fixated on bridging gaps between the cardinals, contrasting ideologies are clear. In the traditionalist camp are heavyweight names like Péter Erdő and Robert Sarah. Matteo Zuppi and Pierbattista Pizzaballa are advocates of more progressive ideas. What other progressive voices are saying Other such progressive voices are Jean-Claude Hollerich, Timothy Radcliffe and Michael Czerny.
Then, as the cardinals enter day-long meetings in preparation for the beginning process of voting, they start to provide their visions for the Church’s future. Andrea Vreede, Vatican correspondent for NOS, noted that “these men of faith are entering [the conclave] believing that God has already chosen the next pope.”
Robert Prevost, a moderate cardinal from the United States and a former punk musician, is seen as a rising star in these deliberations. A recent article by Crux described him as possessing “solid judgment and a keen capacity to listen,” qualities that could appeal to both progressive and conservative factions.
As the conclave continues, the future looks bright, but only for the winners. The cardinal’s collective decision will shape not only the immediate future of the Catholic Church but its long-term direction in an increasingly complex world.