Who will be the successor of Pope Francis and what direction could take the Church in the next pontificate.
The world looks with apprehension to the conditions of Pope Francis. After a pontificate that marked a real revolution within the church, the Holy Father who in recent years has embodied an idea of renewal, and closeness to the last, is facing the most difficult proof: that of his illness. Since 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio has impressed a turning point to the Catholic Church, approaching it to social issues, reforming the Curia and promoting a more open vision of the Petrine Ministry. But, the weight of this mission was accompanied by a progressive physical weakening. The colon operation, the knee pains, the need of the wheelchair and now the aggravation of bilateral pneumonia have made its vulnerability evident. Several times, Francesco himself spoke of the possibility of resigning, convinced that a pope must have the strength to govern.
Who will be Pope Francis’ successor? We talked about it with the Vaticanist Fabio Zavattaro.
What are the most eligible cardinals in case of conclave?
“Every time a conclave approaches, various names emerge, but history teaches us that it is very difficult to predict with certainty who will be the next Pope. In 2005, for example, most of the cardinals present at the conclave had been created by John Paul II, but in the end the only cardinal named by Paul VI was elected, that is Joseph Ratzinger. This shows that internal dynamics are often unpredictable. In the 2013 Conclave, for example, the name of Tagle emerged with a certain strength and also obtained many votes. He is a very young cardinal compared to others, has Filipin origins and is very close to Francesco. Parolin, on the other hand, is the face of Vatican diplomacy and has a key role in the management of international relations, even if, historically, the secretaries of state rarely become popes. Everything is possible, but the internal dynamics of the Conclave must also be considered. Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna, is close to the community of Sant’Egidio and has a very pastoral and social vision of the Church, in line with some aspects of Francesco’s pontificate. On the other hand, there are more conservative figures, such as Cardinal Robert Sarah, originally from Guinea, who was prefect of the Congregation for Divine Cult and is highly appreciated by the most traditionalist wing of the Church. Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, is instead a cardinal with a great theological experience and has been a mediation figure for years between different currents. Finally, Jean-Claude Hollerich, cardinal of Luxembourg. But making predictions is always complex. In reality, the choice criterion could follow a geographical logic. After a Pope of Latin America, a candidate from Asia or Africa may emerge, two continents in which Catholicism is growing a lot. “
Francesco has appointed many cardinals with a progressive vision. In your opinion, is it more likely that you continue with its line or could there be an inversion of course with a more conservative pontificate?
«We often tend to classify the popes as progressives or conservatives, but in the reality of the Church these distinctions are more faded. Even Pope Francis, who many considered progressive, strongly reiterated some traditional doctrinal aspects of the Church, such as the defense of life and the centrality of the family. What is certain is that the next popes will continue to follow the guidelines of the Vatican Council II. There will be variations in style, tones and priorities, but it is difficult to imagine a total return to the past. Even Benedict XVI, despite a different, theoretical and more refined style, has carried out many of the openings started by its predecessors. “
What are the main legacies of Francesco’s pontificate that his successor will have to face?
«Francesco’s great legacy can be synthesized in three words: poor, mercy and hope. He placed attention to his pontificate to the last, referring to the Catacomb pact signed at the end of the Vatican Council II. He insisted on mercy, promoting a more welcoming church, and on hope, encouraging dialogue with the contemporary world. Then there is the diplomatic dimension. The Holy See played an active role in the conflict in Ukraine and in relations with China. The next Pope will have to manage the continuity of these dossiers, including the agreement with Beijing on the appointments of the bishops. In the end, history teaches us that every pope carries on something about his predecessor. Francesco, with all his peculiarities, also resumed themes already dear to Benedict XVI, such as attention to the environment, the defense of the poor and the interreligious dialogue. The next Pope, anyone who will be, will have to do the same. “
