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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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Paramount Seeks $1.88 Billion From States Over Delayed Warner Bros. Deal

by News Editor

August 18, 2026

Paramount Skydance is seeking a $1.88 billion bond from the states attempting to block its planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing that the legal challenge is creating significant financial losses.

The request follows a July lawsuit brought by 12 state attorneys general, led by California’s Rob Bonta, who challenged the proposed $110 billion merger. The transaction would combine two major Hollywood studios, their U.S. television networks and streaming services Paramount+ and HBO Max.

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A Costly Delay For Paramount

Paramount had originally expected to complete the deal by the end of September. Instead, the company agreed to delay the transaction until as late as June 2027 while the states’ antitrust case moves toward trial.

The company says the delay could become increasingly expensive because of a “ticking fee” included in the merger agreement. Beginning Sept. 30, Paramount will owe WBD shareholders an additional 25 cents per share every quarter until the transaction closes. That could amount to around $650 million per quarter.

Paramount estimates that ticking fees alone could reach $1.3 billion by the time the legal process is completed. The proposed $1.88 billion bond would cover those payments as well as financing costs linked to the litigation.

The company has already received approval from the U.S. Justice Department and other global regulators, but argues that some of those approvals could be jeopardized by a prolonged delay.

States Push Back

The states maintain that Paramount and WBD accepted the financial risks when they agreed to the merger terms. Bonta’s office said the companies knew the transaction would face regulatory scrutiny and voluntarily included the ticking-fee provision.

The state also pointed out that Paramount agreed to the trial timeline without requesting a bond at the time.

Paramount says the costs go beyond shareholder payments. The prolonged uncertainty could also delay investments in content, production and creative talent that would otherwise be made by the combined company.

The lawsuit was filed by California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington.