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Who will be the next pope? Here is a list of some possible candidates who succeeded Pope Francis.

The death of Pope Francis Monday, The day after Easter Sunday,start A series of traditions In a few weeks, a vote will be held against the next pope.

back Pope Francis yes resthis successor will be decided by the Catholic cardinal voters, a group of about 135 heavy cardinals who are expected to start their meetings from early May to mid-May to hold secret elections.

For the past 600 years, Cardinal has been chosen for this position since 1378, although the qualification is technically baptized by any baptized male Roman Catholic.

Here are some Cardinals who believe may become contenders for the Pope:

Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Budapest, Hungary

Cardinal Peter Erdo is a 72-year-old Canon lawyer and is the highest Catholic leader in 80% of the country. He is known for his support for the pope’s propaganda to Orthodox Christians.

Pope Francis welcomed Budapest Archbishop Peter Erdo on April 28, 2023 when he arrived at the Pope’s visit in Budapest, Hungary.

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Erdo is also a conservative in the European cultural divide. Regarding immigration as a key issue in Hungary, he conveyed a balanced approach, recognizing the right to immigration, and also ensuring political stability.

Eldo is considered a traditionalist, but also respected by liberals, which may make him a united force within the church.

Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, chair of the Bishops Conference of Africa and Madagascar, unanimously rejecting the global attention of African bishops on a global scale, a declaration issued in 2023, including guidelines issued in 2023 People’s blessings In same-sex relationships.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu

At the ceremony, Cardinal Francis Fridolin Ambongo Besungu appointed Pope Francis in the Vatican on October 5, 2019

Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images


At the age of 65, he was known as a supporter of orthodoxy and defended the celibacy of the clergy and the moral doctrine of the church. He is also known as a promoter of social justice, a supporter of the poor and silent, and speaks out in his criticism of the Congolese government.

Mario Grech, Secretary General of Bishop

Cardinal Mario Grech, 68, is a Canon lawyer who has a significant impact on the operation of the church’s bishops’ meeting. Supporters praised him for leading the allegations of implementing a more consultative and inclusive approach to church governance.

Cardinal Mario Grech

The Bishop Secretary-General Mario Grech held a Saint Community at St. Peter’s Basilica on October 29, 2023.

Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images


Grech is from Malta, one of the smallest countries in the world.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Palorin Pietro Parolin

Pietro Parolin, 70, was the Vatican’s second order and a professional diplomat who always surpassed the turbulence that marked the purpose.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin

Since his death at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 2, 2025

Simone Risoluti/Getty Images


He was considered moderate and, if elected, could repair the cracks in the church. He is also considered an advancement with a global vision.

Pierbattisa Pierbattisa Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, is a pastoral candidate who said this during the Israel-Hamas war and visited Gaza during the conflict.

Jordan Christian Church

The Latin patriarch of Pizzaballa, Jerusalem, on the right, right, as Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, focused on the dedication of the Church of the Lord in al-maghtas in Jordan on January 10, 2025.

Khalil Mazraawi/AFP via Getty Images


He is a champion of social justice and sees himself as a servant of the people. He is similar to Francis because of his disdain for immigration, interfaith dialogue and clericalism.

Cardinal Louis Targer of the Philippines

Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, and the selection of the people’s evangelism, the missionary spirit known as “Asian Francis”, and his emphasis on caring for LGBTQ and divorced and divorced Catholics.

Cardinal Louis Antonio Tager

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle held the solemn liturgy of Jehovah in the Vatican city on April 18, 2025.

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He is a former archbishop of Manila, Philippines, one of the most Catholic countries on the Asian continent and studied in the United States for seven years. His election will show the religious continuation of Francis.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna, Italy

Royal Matteo Zuppi, 69, is the president of the Italian Bishops’ Council. He was called a “street pastor” and missionary and wanted to church a church that listens to believers and is willing to modernize. Zuppi includes same-sex couples as well as people of different religions.

Cardinal Maria Zupp

Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi attended the opening ceremony of the Bishops’ Conference chaired by Pope Francis, hosted by St. Peter’s Square on October 2, 2024.

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Francis chose Zuppi as an envoy for Russia and Ukraine, as well as a special envoy for the West Bank and Beijing to promote peace.

Cardinal Arborelius, Archbishop of Stockholm

Cardinal Anderers Arborelius, 75, was raised at the age of 20 and turned Catholic at the age of 20.

He is also a traditionalist in the church’s teaching on sexual morality and gender, with a strong concern for the environment.

Cardinal Anders Alberius

Cardinal Anders Arborelius left the altar after receiving Biretta from Pope Francis during the 5 new cardinal ceremonies held on June 28, 2017 at St. Peter’s Basilica.

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Arborelius has been a supporter of immigration to Sweden, calling for dialogue and integration rather than restrictions.

Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec

Cardinal Géraldcyprien lacroix, the archbishop of the Metropolitan Quebec, Canada, is 67 years old. Early in his career, he served as a missionary and seminary professor in Columbia.

Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix

Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix’s ceremony to create a new Cardinal at St. Peter’s Basilica on February 22, 2014.

Peter MacDiarmid/Getty Images


He denied allegations of sexual abuse, temporarily resigned from duty, and resumed his duties after a church leader’s investigation found no evidence of misconduct.

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