Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Tsunami waves reach Hawaii, calls for emergency measures to protect lives and property.
NHK: Japan records 1.3-meter tsunami.
Russian mayor of northern Kuril Islands says 'everyone' on tsunami-hit islands evacuated.
Israeli media: Take-offs and landings halted at Ben Gurion Airport.
Israeli media: Air raid sirens sound in the central region after a missile was identified from Yemen.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 3 families were wiped out from the civil registry due to the occupation's massacre in Nuseirat
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 women and 12 children were killed in the Israeli occupation's massacre in the new camp in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip
10-year-old Palestinian child Nour Abu Sala'a was killed by malnutrition due to the Israeli occupation's siege on the Gaza Strip
Trump says a ceasefire in Gaza is 'possible'
European Union commissioners will discuss a proposal to partially suspend Israeli participation in the EU's Horizon research program: Reuters

What is the Vatican going to do after Pope Francis' death?

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Apr 2025 16:44
4 Min Read

The selection of a new pope is set to shape the future direction of the Catholic Church, both doctrinally and institutionally, through a centuries-old tradition.

Listen
  • x
  • A woman holds a picture of Pope Francis reading in Italian 'Farewell Francis, thank you His Holiness, today all the people cry for you' in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis was announced, Monday, April 21, 2025 (AP)
    A woman holds a picture of Pope Francis reading in Italian, 'Farewell Francis, thank you, His Holiness, today all the people cry for you' in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis was announced, Monday, April 21, 2025 (AP)

The Catholic Church is entering a critical transitional phase as the College of Cardinals prepares to convene at the Vatican to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away Monday at the age of 88. 

A defining moment for the Church

The selection of a new pope is set to shape the future direction of the Catholic Church, both doctrinally and institutionally. The election process follows centuries-old traditions.

Cardinals under the age of 80 will gather in the Sistine Chapel for a secret vote, and a two-thirds majority is required for any candidate to be elected. 

If no consensus is reached in the initial rounds, voting continues until a candidate secures the necessary support. The world will closely watch the chimney above the chapel; black smoke signals inconclusive results, while white smoke announces the successful election of a new pontiff.

Key contenders to succeed Pope Francis

According to US media analyses, five prominent candidates have emerged as frontrunners in the upcoming papal conclave:

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (67) – Filipino

Currently seen as the leading candidate, Cardinal Tagle has a strong background in missionary work and heads the Dicastery for Evangelization. He is widely viewed as a proponent of Pope Francis’s reform agenda.

Related News

Pope Leo XIV calls for press freedom, release of jailed journalists

White smoke rises: US Cardinal Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV - Vatican

Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70) – Italian

Serving as the Vatican’s Secretary of State since 2013, Parolin is known for his diplomatic acumen and theological moderation. He is considered a stabilizing figure who may continue reform efforts while maintaining institutional balance.

Cardinal Peter Turkson (76) – Ghanaian

A prominent advocate for social justice, Turkson’s election would mark the first African pope since the 5th century, an incredibly significant development.

Cardinal Péter ErdÅ‘ (72) – Hungarian

A conservative canon law expert, Erdő represents traditionalist voices within the Church. He is known for defending core doctrinal positions.

Cardinal Angelo Scola (82) – Italian

A traditional candidate who was among the top contenders in the 2013 conclave, Cardinal Scola's advanced age may limit his chances this time.

The anticipated conclave

The papal conclave traditionally begins 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death, allowing time for funeral rites and a nine-day mourning period.

The conclave proceedings, held in the Sistine Chapel, attract global attention as the Church faces growing challenges, including declining influence in the West and rising prominence in the Global South.

The new pope will be tasked with navigating a delicate balance between reformist and conservative factions. Urgent priorities include addressing issues of transparency, governance, and adapting to global social changes, all amid ongoing demographic shifts and theological debates within the Church.

The first Latin Pope passes

Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and first Latin American pontiff, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after a long battle with health issues, including double pneumonia.

The Vatican confirmed the news in a statement issued by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Farrell said via the Vatican's Telegram channel.

“This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.”

Legacy of reform 

When Francis ascended to the papacy, the Catholic Church was reeling from decades of sexual abuse scandals and internal divisions.

He worked to revise canon law and open leadership roles in Vatican offices to laypeople.

His later years saw growing opposition from conservative cardinals, especially during the Vatican’s Synod in late 2023, part of a wide-ranging global consultation on the Church’s future, a process that now remains unfinished.

  • Catholic Church
  • Vatican
  • Pope Francis

Most Read

Given ample indications Epstein was collating sexual blackmail material on powerful figures for intelligence agencies, comments made by Mirage's cofounder to Ynet take on a chilling character. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Zionist spies innovate AI sexual blackmail tech

  • Analysis
  • 27 Jul 2025
The right wing love affair with Zionism has ended

The right wing love affair with Zionism has ended

  • Opinion
  • 23 Jul 2025
Houthi supporters display a giant Palestinian flag during a weekly anti-US and anti-'Israel' rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday March, 28, 2025 (AP)

Open borders so Yemenis march by hundreds of thousands: Al-Houthi

  • Politics
  • 24 Jul 2025
Lebanese Freedom Fighter Georges Abdallah, who was serving a life in Paris, speaks to supporters upon his arrival at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, July 25, 2025 (AP)

With resistance, road home is never lost: Georges Abdallah from Beirut

  • Politics
  • 25 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Lawmakers attend a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in occupied al-Quds, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Tensions erupt between Smotrich and army chief over Gaza strategy

The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, giving a statement on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

Yemen targets Ben Gurion Airport in defense of Gaza

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrives for the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting at the EU Council building in Brussels, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' summons Dutch ambassador over Amsterdam's ban on ministers

Palestinians collect aid that landed in the Mediterranean Sea after being airdropped over central Gaza, at the shore of Zawaida, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli plans to annex Gaza illegal under international law: Norway

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS