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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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EU Agrees On Major Overhaul Of Financial Market Supervision

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 9, 2026

European Union finance ministers have reached agreement on a sweeping package designed to strengthen oversight of the bloc’s financial markets, in a move aimed at reducing fragmentation and improving the flow of capital across borders.

A Push To Deepen Capital Markets

The Market Integration and Supervision Package, or MISP, would grant the European Securities and Markets Authority direct supervision over major market operators that are currently regulated by national authorities. The reforms are intended to make Europe’s capital markets more integrated, more efficient and better able to channel savings into productive investment.

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According to the Irish presidency, the package is meant to help savings and investments move more freely across the European Union, improving access to finance for companies while giving households broader opportunities to earn returns on their savings.

What The Reform Would Change

Under the new framework, ESMA would take direct oversight of key trading venues, clearing houses, securities settlement bodies and crypto-asset service providers. The package would also establish a permanent, independent executive board within the regulator, strengthening its institutional capacity.

Market operators would be able to opt into a new EU-wide operating framework. In parallel, the reforms would seek to make national supervision more consistent and update rules governing trading, transaction completion, investment management and the use of blockchain technology.

Why The Agreement Matters

Supporters of deeper capital markets argue that Europe has long paid a price for regulatory inconsistency. While many rules are harmonised across the bloc, differences in enforcement and supervision have contributed to a patchwork system that can make cross-border investment slower and more costly.

A more integrated framework, proponents say, could lower costs for companies seeking funding and broaden the menu of investment options available to savers and institutional investors alike.

Outstanding Questions Remain

Despite the broad agreement, some important details remain unresolved. Trading venues operated by Deutsche Börse, the company behind the Frankfurt stock exchange, may remain outside ESMA’s direct supervision.

Euronews previously reported that Germany had secured an exemption for Deutsche Börse’s domestically focused trading venues, leaving part of the system under regional supervision. The latest announcement did not clarify whether that arrangement will stand.

A Step Forward For The Savings And Investments Union

Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen welcomed the deal, calling it a major advance for the Capital Markets Union and saying Europe had made more progress in 10 months than in the previous 10 years.

The agreement is an important milestone in the Savings and Investments Union, the EU’s broader effort to channel more of Europeans’ savings into investments that can support growth, innovation and competitiveness across the bloc.