• [Dailystar Icon]
• News
• World News
• Christianity

Who will be next Pope? from controversial figure, Ronaldo compatriot to 'liveliest preacher'

As the conclave prepares to form and begin the proccess of electing the new Pope, we look at some of the figures in the Catholic Church who could find themselves in strong positions for taking over as pontiff

[There are a number of names in the hat for who could be the next Pope ]

There are a number of names in the hat for who could be the next Pope (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

There are a number of key candidates for who could become the next Pope, following the death of Pope Francis.

The Argentinian had been the head of the Catholic Church since 2012 but passed away today aged 88. Now begins the process of selecting a new pontiff.

Soon, the College of Cardinals will travel to Rome to form the conclave at Michelangelos Sistine Chapel. While there are some 220 cardinals from 70 different countries, only around 120 are cardinal electors as those over the age 80 are excluded. Two thirds of the 120 were chosen by Francis in the last 10 years, meaning there is a likley to be a continuation of legacy.

It is expected that the cardinals will be assembled within a month, probably closer to a fortnight and a half, and when they do, will go about the business of selecting the new pontiff.

The process is secretive and kept firmly under wraps, no outside contact is allowed and phones are handed in, but already there are a number of front runners leading the pack.

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson

[ Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson ]

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (Image: Getty Images)

The Ghanaian 76-year-old served as the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace from 2009 to 2017 and before that was the Archbishop of Cape Coast from 1992 to 2009.

In Catholic weekly review The Tablet, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson was described as one of Africa's most energetic church leaders".

Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi

[Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi]

Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Described by the College of Cardinals Report as a rapidly rising star in the Italian episcopate, he sits on the left wing of the field. From Rome the 69-year-old has been the The Archbishop of Bologna since 12 December 2015.

Cardinal Jose Tolentino Mendonca

[Cardinal Jose Tolentino Mendonca]

Cardinal Jose Tolentino Mendonca(Image: Getty Images)

At 59, hes one of the younger candidates on the list, and also a poet from Madeira in Portugal, the same island Cristiano Ronaldo is from. Again, he fits into the progressive wing of the church and much of his poetry is said to be particularly popular in secular circles.

Cardinal Robert Sarah

[Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea]

Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea(Image: Vandeville Eric/ABACA/Shutterstock)

From Guinea, he served as as prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2014 to 2021. He is a traditionalist and conservative, and is seen by many as, depending on your point of view, a protector traditional Catholic teaching.

He called ISIS and gender ideology the "two radicalizations" that put family life at risk.

Cardinal Mario Grech

[Cardinal Mario Grech]

Cardinal Mario Grech(Image: Getty Images)

From Malta, the 68-year-old is a former Bishop of Gozo is the Vatican secretariat responsible for running Vatican synods. He has been involved in a number of controversial incidents, often involving politics.

Cardinal Peter Erdo

[Primate of the Hungarian Catholic Church, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Cardinal Peter Erdo]

Primate of the Hungarian Catholic Church, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Cardinal Peter Erdo(Image: PETER LAKATOS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Primate of the Hungarian Catholic Church and Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, he is the oldest of six children. He was born under Communist rule despite his Catholic family leading him to later say that faith was woven into the fabric of our life.

He was ordained as a priest in 1975 and in 1995 and 1996 was a teaching fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. He speaks German, Italian, French, Spanish, English, and his native Hungarian.

Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State

[Pietro Parolin is Cardinal Secretary of State]

Pietro Parolin is Cardinal Secretary of State(Image: Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

At 70-years-old, he has served as the Vatican's Secretary of State since 2013. He has also held positions as Cardinal-Bishop of Santi Simone e Giuda Taddeo a Torre Angela and Member of the Council of Cardinal Advisers.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle

[Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle ]

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Image: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Imges)

Currently serving as the Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization, he was born in the Philippines.

He has also served as the President of Interdicasterial Commission for Consecrated Religious since December 8, 2019. He is said to prefer to be referred to as " Chito " rather than his clerical name. He is focussed on helping the poor while opposing abortion.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.