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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 Income Distribution 2024: An In-Depth Breakdown of Economic Classes

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 24, 2025

New findings from the Cyprus Statistical Service offer a comprehensive analysis of the nation’s income stratification in 2024. The report, titled Population By Income Class, provides critical insights into the proportions of the population that fall within the middle, upper, and lower income brackets, as well as those at risk of poverty.

Income Distribution Overview

The data for 2024 show that 64.6% of the population falls within the middle income class – a modest increase from 63% in 2011. However, it is noteworthy that the range for this class begins at a comparatively low threshold of €15,501. Meanwhile, 27.8% of the population continues to reside in the lower income bracket (a figure largely unchanged from 27.7% in 2011), with nearly 14.6% of these individuals identified as at risk of poverty. The upper income class accounted for 7.6% of the population, a slight decline from 9.1% in 2011.

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Income Brackets And Their Thresholds

According to the report, the median equivalent disposable national income reached €20,666 in 2024. The upper limit of the lower income class was established at €15,500, and the threshold for poverty risk was set at €12,400. The middle income category spans from €15,501 to €41,332, while any household earning over €41,333 is classified in the upper income class. The median equivalents for each group were reported at €12,271 for the lower, €23,517 for the middle, and €51,316 for the upper income classes.

Methodological Insights And Comparative Findings

Employing the methodology recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the report defines the middle income class as households earning between 75% and 200% of the national median income. In contrast, incomes exceeding 200% of the median classify households as upper income, while those earning below 75% fall into the lower income category.

Detailed Findings Across Income Segments

Upper Income Class: Comprising 73,055 individuals (7.6% of the population), this group had a median equivalent disposable income of €51,136. Notably, the share of individuals in this category has contracted since 2011.
Upper Middle Income Segment: This subgroup includes 112,694 people (11.7% of the population) with a median income of €34,961. Combined with the upper income class, they represent 185,749 individuals.
Middle Income Group: Encompassing 30.3% of the population (approximately 294,624 individuals), this segment reports a median disposable income of €24,975.
Lower Middle And Lower Income Classes: The lower middle income category includes 22.2% of the population (211,768 individuals) with a median income of €17,800, while the lower income class accounts for 27.8% (267,557 individuals) with a median income of €12,271.

Payment Behaviors And Economic Implications

The report also examines how income levels influence repayment behavior for primary residence loans or rental payments. Historically, households in the lower income class have experienced the greatest delays. In 2024, 27.0% of those in the lower income bracket were late on payments—a significant improvement from 34.6% in 2011. For the middle income class, late payments were observed in 9.9% of cases, down from 21.4% in 2011. Among the upper income class, only 3% experienced delays, compared to 9.9% previously.

This detailed analysis underscores shifts in income distribution and repayment behavior across Cyprus, reflecting broader economic trends that are critical for policymakers and investors to consider as they navigate the evolving financial landscape.