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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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AI Is Everywhere, But Consumers Are Growing More Skeptical

by News Editor

August 20, 2026

AI is advancing rapidly, but public enthusiasm is moving in the opposite direction. Recent surveys show that more Americans are becoming concerned about the technology, while growing opposition to data centers is turning AI’s social acceptance into a business and political challenge.

A Pew Research study found that 52% of Americans are now “more concerned than excited” about the growing use of AI in daily life, up from 37% in 2021. A May Economist/YouGov poll also found that more than 70% believe AI is developing too quickly.

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The political backlash is becoming harder to ignore. Axios reported that the National Republican Senatorial Committee warned major AI companies that data center projects could hurt Republican candidates in a key Ohio election.

AI’s Growing Reputation Problem

Public concern is also showing up among younger Americans. A CNBC poll found that most respondents aged 18 to 34 did not trust nine leading AI executives to act responsibly on AI.

For many consumers, AI is increasingly associated with chatbots, AI-powered search and features appearing inside everyday products, rather than with major improvements to their lives. Google has transformed Search with AI, while companies are adding AI to products ranging from email to televisions.

At the same time, people are hearing about AI being used by students to cheat, while companies face disputes over copyrighted material used to train models and generate art, music, video and writing.

That combination is creating a difficult perception: consumers are being asked to accept the disruption caused by AI without necessarily seeing enough personal benefit in return.

Data Centers Add To The Backlash

The problem extends beyond software. Tech companies are spending enormous sums building AI data centers, but communities are increasingly pushing back over issues including electricity demand, water use and infrastructure.

According to The Wall Street Journal, companies are responding with additional incentives such as employment commitments and investments in local infrastructure. One Louisiana project even included $50,000 bonuses for teachers.

Meanwhile, some consumers are gravitating toward technology that feels deliberately less connected. Young people are showing renewed interest in dumbphones, point-and-shoot cameras, cassette players and CD players. AI-free classic iPods are also attracting attention, while offline hobbies and in-person activities are gaining popularity.

The Industry Is Starting To Take Notice

Some technology executives believe the backlash is partly a communication problem. Others are increasingly acknowledging that consumers may understand AI perfectly well but simply don’t consider its current benefits worth the trade-offs.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky recently said on a podcast that the industry needs to build products that ordinary people genuinely value, rather than focusing primarily on AI itself.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei similarly described negative perceptions of AI as a “big problem” and a “crisis of trust” in a post on X. In his view, the strongest response would be for AI companies to actually deliver on their biggest promises, including breakthroughs that could significantly improve people’s lives.

For an industry that has attracted hundreds of billions of dollars on the expectation that AI will transform everyday life, technological progress alone may no longer be enough. The bigger challenge could be convincing people that they are actually better off because of it.