The gray cardinal: Will Pietro Parolin be the new Pope?

The gray cardinal: Will Pietro Parolin be the new Pope?

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the highly expected conclave begins in the Sistine chapel in the Vatican for the choice of the new Pope. Cardinal Pietro Parolin is considered the strict favorite for the successor of Pope Francis. With his many years of experience as secretary of the state under Francis, he is well known to many cardinals. Experts describe parolin as a pragmatic strategist, which has steered the diplomatic skills of the Catholic Church since 2013 and has excellent connections to important global actors such as Beijing and Washington, which underpins its suitability for the papal office.

parolin, which is considered the most powerful cardinal in the Vatican, has long established itself as the top candidate of the liberal wing, but is faced with minor criticisms despite his qualifications. Some observers warn about his health because he has survived a serious cancer in the past. These rumors floated around the week before the conclave, while Cardinal Fernando Filoni, a close confidante of slogan, indicates the support for him. He predicts that "white smoke" will be seen in the first ballot and parolin emerges as the next Pope should the conclave negotiate briefly. However, a longer process could lead to a turn and possible rethink in the cardinals.

elections in the conclave and requirements for the new Pope

On the first day of the conclusion, an election takes place, followed by several other electoral groups every day. A total of up to four electoral courses per day are possible. The fifth ballot is the end of the first full concrete day. In addition, the cardinals in the days before the election have the opportunity to set the requirement profile for the new head of the church. It is discussed whether the church needs a “second Francis” who takes care of the weakest, or a Pope that comes to the fore dogmatic clarity.

The considerations of the cardinals are complex. The focus is also on whether the Catholic Church should strive for a courageous further development of its structures, for example through stronger synodality. Critical voices indicate that parolin is traded as a suitable candidate for Vatican diplomacy, but he lacks a personal charisma that could be important for the papal office. The 92-year-old Cardinal Walter Kasper commented that no decisive speeches have been kept in the college so far, which may have been able to influence the direction of the election.

an outlook on the possible papal selection

The open wounds from the Pontificate of Francis, such as cases of abuse and the financial scandals within the Vatican, throw a shadow on the upcoming choice. Some cardinals demand a Pope that is not only charismatic, but also offers legal clarity. In addition to slogan, other candidates, such as Cardinal Mario Grech, who could offer a solution for the important questions about participation within the church for the important questions about the important questions.

Overall, Cardinal Pietro Parolin's starting position is strong, but the dynamics in the conclave could bring unpredictable turns, while the choice of the new leadership on the planet is of representative importance for the Catholic Church.

For more details about what is happening in the conclave and the candidate profiles, please visit t-online.de and katholisch.de .