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Cardinals Who Could Succeed Pope Francis

by News Editor

April 22, 2025

Shortly, the Roman Catholic Church cardinals will convene in the Sistine Chapel for a conclave, a secret ballot election, to choose a successor to Pope Francis. Among the top contenders for this sacred position are:

Leading Candidates to Succeed Pope Francis

Jean-Marc Aveline (France): The Archbishop of Marseille, elevated to cardinal in 2022, shares many of Pope Francis’s perspectives but has been cautious regarding the blessing of same-sex unions. Known for resemblance to Pope John XXIII, Aveline, at 66, might echo the past prediction of the next pope being John XXIV.

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Péter Erdő (Hungary): At 71, the Archbishop of Budapest and Primate of Hungary has long been a favorite. Having chaired the European Episcopal Conferences in 2005 and 2011, Erdő’s stance against same-sex marriage and his skepticism toward welcoming migrants suggest conservative support.

Pietro Parolin (Italy): As the Vatican’s Secretary of State since 2014, 70-year-old Parolin is celebrated for his diplomacy, notably engaging in Middle East and China negotiations. However, the Vatican-China agreement of 2018 drew criticism over perceived concessions.

Marc Ouellet (Canada): The 80-year-old has repeatedly been considered for the papacy, even as recently as 2013. As a staunch conservative, Ouellet opposes same-sex marriage and female ordination even as deacon.

Luis Tagle (Philippines): Once deemed a rising star by Francis, Tagle, 67, has criticized harsh church language towards marginalized groups while promoting more inclusive church policies.

Matteo Zuppi (Italy): Known for his advocacy for the poor and migrants, Archbishop Zuppi, 69, also supports LGBTQ+ blessings, mirroring Pope Francis’s more progressive policies, yet he is against the ordination of women.

Fridolin Ambongo (Congo): At 65, the Archbishop of Kinshasa and a recent cardinal, Ambongo took a firm stand against same-sex blessings, labeling them inherently evil.

Robert Sarah (Guinea): Sarah, 79, is recognized for his devoutly conservative positions. Strongly opposing abortion and same-sex marriage, he often warns against the rise of Islam.

Mario Grech (Malta): As the Secretary-General of the Synod of Bishops, Grech, 68, has shown a shift toward inclusivity, suggesting potential openness to female deacons.

Who Else Might Succeed Pope Francis?

Speculations are rife with nearly twenty cardinals under consideration. Names like Anders Arborelius, Charles Maung Bo, François-Xavier Bustillo, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Juan José Omella are often mentioned among possible papabili.

How is a New Pope Elected?

In the event of the pope’s passing, cardinals younger than 80 years will gather in the Sistine Chapel to undertake the conclave process. This crucial event happens between 15 and 20 days post-death. A two-thirds majority is necessary to elect a new pope. Unsuccessful rounds are noted by black smoke, while white smoke heralds the selection of a new pope. This traditional process sometimes extends several days; however, Pope Francis was elected in less than 24 hours.

Key Context

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, has died at 88 after pioneering a somewhat progressive papacy beginning in 2013, following Pope Benedict XVI’s historic resignation. His papal name honors St. Francis of Assisi, emulating a life dedicated to poverty.

During his tenure, Pope Francis advocated for greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and criticized abortion laws, albeit taking a conservative stance against gender theory. In 2023, the Vatican declared priests could bless same-sex couples, but Francis later nuanced this stance, emphasizing blessings for love but not recognizing same-sex unions as marriages.

With bold calls for inclusive clerical participation and immigrant support, Pope Francis’s legacy is marked by a complex interplay of traditional and progressive values as the Cardinal Conclave looms on the ecclesiastical horizon.

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Cyprus’ Poverty And Social Exclusion Risk Stands At 17.1%

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 20, 2026

Cyprus recorded a poverty or social exclusion risk rate of 17.1% in 2025, below the European Union average of 20.9%, according to new Eurostat figures. Across the bloc, however, more than 92 million people continued to face the risk, highlighting persistent social and economic inequalities.

More Than 92 Million People At Risk Across The EU

A total of 92.7 million people across the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, equivalent to just over one in five residents.

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Cyprus is treated as a single statistical region because of its size, unlike many member states divided into multiple regions for comparison. Its national figure therefore provides an overall picture but does not capture differences between districts or communities.

Regional Gaps Remain Stark Across Europe

The risk varied considerably across the EU, with the highest rates concentrated largely in southern, eastern and outermost regions. In 24 of the 243 regions with available data, at least 31.5% of the population faced poverty or social exclusion.

These regions were located in Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, France and Romania, as well as Brussels in Belgium and Bremen in north-western Germany.

French Guiana recorded the highest rate, at 54.8%, followed by Calabria in southern Italy at 45.3% and Sicily at 44%. Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city, recorded 43.7%, while Réunion, another French outermost region, stood at 42.3%.

Central Europe Records The Lowest Rates

At the other end of the scale, 24 regions reported poverty or social exclusion risk rates below 13% in 2025. These included five eastern EU capital regions: Bratislava in Slovakia, Warsaw in Poland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Budapest in Hungary and Zagreb in Croatia.

Other regions with low rates were concentrated in northern Italy, the Czech Republic, northern Belgium, Hungary, Poland and Austria, illustrating the uneven distribution of economic security across Europe.

Cyprus Remains Below The EU Average

Cyprus’ rate of 17.1% places it below the EU average, although it remains higher than the levels recorded in the bloc’s lowest-risk regions.

The figures suggest that Cyprus performs relatively well compared with the wider EU, but poverty and social exclusion remain significant challenges across the bloc, affecting more than 92 million people.