Two African Cardinals Among 15 Possible Replacements For Pope Francis [Full List]

Following the death of Pope Francis at age 88 on Monday, attention has shifted to who will lead the Catholic Church next.

KanyiDaily had reported that Pope Francis, who has been battling with bilateral pneumonia, died on April 21 after making a hopeful appearance at Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

Though the Church is mourning, Pope Francis’s death has also launched speculation about his potential successor.

Cardinals from around the world have arrived in Rome to begin the process of choosing his successor.

This selection process, known as a papal conclave, is a closed-door meeting of the College of Cardinals. It typically starts about two to three weeks after the pope’s death and opens with a mass.

Cardinals then hold daily voting sessions—one in the morning and one in the afternoon—until someone receives at least two-thirds of the votes.

If no decision is made after 30 rounds of voting, a simple majority may be used. Every seventh vote is followed by a day of prayer and reflection.

Several cardinals, often called papabili (those considered “pope material”), are being watched closely. These men represent different regions and viewpoints, and while some names are more prominent, the next pope could still be an unexpected choice.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the leading candidates by region:

EUROPE

• Pietro Parolin (Italy, 70) – Vatican Secretary of State and a seasoned diplomat, involved in major international negotiations, including a 2018 deal with China on bishop appointments.
• Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy, 60) – Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, known for advocating peace in the Middle East. Celebrated Christmas Mass in both Gaza and Jerusalem during the 2024 conflict.
• Matteo Zuppi (Italy, 69) – Archbishop of Bologna and known for his humanitarian work and peace efforts, including his role as papal envoy for Ukraine.
• Claudio Gugerotti (Italy, 69) – A Vatican diplomat and expert in Eastern European affairs, currently heading the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.
• Jean-Marc Aveline (France, 66) – Archbishop of Marseille, noted for promoting interfaith dialogue and his close ties with Pope Francis.
• Anders Arborelius (Sweden, 75) – The first Swedish cardinal in centuries, a Catholic convert who upholds traditional Church teachings while promoting refugee support.
• Mario Grech (Malta, 68) – General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, balancing Pope Francis’s push for openness with the concerns of conservatives.
• Peter Erdo (Hungary, 72) – A respected theologian with a conservative stance on social issues but known for his intellectual openness and interfaith work.
• Jean-Claude Hollerich (Luxembourg, 67) – A Jesuit with a deep background in Asian cultures, pushing for youth involvement and Church reform.

ASIA

• Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines, 67) – Charismatic and media-savvy, Tagle is a vocal supporter of the poor and was a frontrunner even in the last conclave.
• Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar, 76) – An advocate for peace and human rights in a conflict-torn country, Bo has been a steady voice for justice in Asia.

AFRICA

• Peter Turkson (Ghana, 76) – Frequently mentioned as a contender for the first African pope in modern times. A Vatican veteran known for his social advocacy and global outreach.
• Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (DR Congo, 65) – A key figure in African Catholicism and member of Pope Francis’s inner circle, outspoken on issues such as same-sex blessings.

AMERICAS

• Robert Francis Prevost (USA, 69) – A missionary-turned-archbishop, Prevost now leads the Vatican office responsible for selecting new bishops.
• Timothy Dolan (USA, 75) – The Archbishop of New York, Dolan is well-known in the U.S. and firm in his conservative views on doctrine, while also reaching out to Hispanic Catholics.

As the conclave approaches, the world watches to see whether the cardinals will choose someone who continues Pope Francis’s path or opts for a new direction. While some candidates have global recognition, the next pope could still come as a surprise.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu and other world leaders have joined Catholics and Christians around the globe in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Monday morning.