Who would you most like to see become the next pope?

[SolitarySolace]

The next pope could shift the entire direction of the Catholic Church. Who do you think should lead—and why?

I’d like to see Parolin because I think the Church needs a steady hand right now—someone who can preserve tradition without fueling division. He’s diplomatic, experienced, and respected across both progressive and conservative circles. In a time where every choice feels like a political swing, Parolin seems like the one candidate capable of restoring balance and unity without alienating either side.
- Eva ❤️

Cardinal Pietro Parolin – Moderate, diplomatic, experienced Vatican leader

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle – Progressive, social justice-focused, aligned with Pope Francis

Cardinal Peter Erdo – Traditionalist, strong on doctrine and canon law

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi – Pastoral, peace-oriented, close to Francis

Cardinal Raymond Burke – Outspoken conservative, critical of Church reforms

Someone Else

I don’t care / Not Catholic

Updates

1 y

www.vaticannews.va/.../...ts-cardinal-parolin.html

Updates

1 y

Pope Francis has passed, preparations for new pope to begin, front runner accused of being woke - https://youtu.be/UZVkKl6fwfE?si=qipvQGicAGafxK-v

[BCRanger10]

Trad Catholic here.

Here's a (supposed) diagram of the current make-up of the College of Cardinals, and it's actually kind of surprising...

Of those on this list, I would hope for either Cardinal Peter Erdo from Hungary or Cardinal Raymond Burke from the United States (specifically Wisconsin).

Cardinal Erdo

From what I've seen, I like Cardinal Erdo. He's not strictly speaking a "traditionalist" - he offers the "Novus Ordo" (the Mass that most Catholics attend today) - but he's more friendly and open to the Traditional Latin Mass. He's from Hungary, which is east-central Europe; most churchmen from the East are likely to be much more reverent and traditional in their worship and general outlook. He's been described as "boringly conservative".

He's also (or so he's been described), I'm sorry to say, fairly thin-skinned though; "Cautious and conflict-averse", according to Ed Pentin's book The Next Pope. I wouldn't see him being much of a shaker and mover. That's not to say he wouldn't do any serious cleanup, but I think he'd be slower and less direct in how he does it. He's first and foremost an intellectual (he was a university or seminary professor) and not as much of a politician.

However, on the flipside of that, I don't see him being much for the spotlight, which is a GOOD thing. Right now, the Church needs a pope who offers Mass, clocks in at 9, clocks out at 5, has dinner, watches a movie, then goes to bed.

Cardinal Burke

I've met Cardinal Burke three times. He consecrated me as a Catechist in 2022. He is a very intelligent, pious, devout, and holy man. He's more of a traditionalist than Erdo. As far as how he'd handle things, I think he'd have a lot in common with Erdo, maybe a little bit more firmly though (I imagine the situation as lib wants to do something heretical and Burke would simply say "No. Get out of my office.").

Intelligent? Very. A rousing powerhouse of energy and charisma though? Definitely not. Like I said about Cardinal Erdo and the spotlight, I could see him being similar. I don't particularly think he has the stomach for the job though.

Some traditionalists, ironically, wouldn't be happy with him because he's not as welcoming towards the controversial Society of Saint Pius X, which he believes to be in schism (there have been decades of contentious debate about them; long story, not important here). Overall though, I would be happy with him.

I'd also be happy to see Cardinal Willem "Wim" Eijk from the Netherlands...

Cardinal Eijk

... and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (or Cardinal Pizza, as I call him), the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

On the opposite end, of the ones you listed, it's a race to the bottom between Parolin, Tagle, and Zuppi. Of those three, Zuppi would be the least terrible. Parolin is most definitely NOT a "moderate". He is a leftist progressive through and through. All three of them have baggage to one extent or another, so I'm not totally convinced that any of those three will get the job... but I could be wrong.

Papal politics are weird. We'll have to wait and see.

[SolitarySolace]

I’d like to see Parolin because I think the Church needs a steady hand right now—someone who can preserve tradition without fueling division. He’s diplomatic, experienced, and respected across both progressive and conservative circles. In a time where every choice feels like a political swing, Parolin seems like the one candidate capable of restoring balance and unity without alienating either side.

He also recently met with Vice President JD Vance on Holy Saturday (April 19th, 2025) at the Vatican. Despite ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the Vatican, they discussed key issues like religious freedom, conflict resolution, and humane treatment of migrants and prisoners. That kind of engagement—willing to speak with leaders he may not fully agree with—shows the kind of steady, principled diplomacy that I believe the Church needs in a time like this.

- Eva ❤️

[BCRanger10]

Parolin is a snake. He was the principal architect of the deal that sold out the faithful Church in China to the CCP. And somehow thinks that the same most closely resembles Catholic social doctrine. He would be dreadful. That and he allegedly hates the Traditional Latin Mass much more than Francis does.

[SolitarySolace]

I understand your concern—especially regarding the Vatican’s agreement with China. That deal raised serious questions about religious freedom, and many faithful Catholics felt betrayed by it. You’re absolutely right to call that out, and I think criticism of that situation is fair.

But I also think Parolin’s role in it came from an attempt—however flawed—to engage diplomatically with a hostile regime. It’s not about agreeing with the result, but recognizing that the Church has to engage with the world’s powers, even the difficult ones, to protect the faithful where it can.

His willingness to speak with both allies and adversaries, including the Trump administration and the Chinese government, shows a kind of steady pragmatism the Church needs right now. We don’t need another radical shift—we need calm, seasoned leadership that can keep the Church from fracturing further.

And on the Latin Mass—if that’s true, it would be disappointing. I strongly believe tradition and reverence must remain central to Catholic identity, and I hope whoever leads next understands that deeply.

– Eva ❤️

[strateguy632]

Erdo, because representative of catholic must emphasize catholic stuff not progressive nor moderate etc.

[strateguy632]

Tnx for mho but we both were wrong. They picked the globalist!

[Gwendoline]

I'd like to see someone who continues the rejuvenation of the church. When you look at the church of England and American escoplian churches and how far they've fallen

[Sammygirl9287]

I would have liked to have seen Cardinal sarah

[aceleon]

İ am a quranist muslim papa simply means another idiot who wants to play the Man Of the God for me.

[Lynx122]

I don't know I don't study cardinals as a hobby :D

[najekim]

Not Catholic. IMHO, it's past time for the major religions in the world to end. Religion is the control of peoples lives through fear and made up dogma.

[strateguy632]

I agree about most religions, but you imply sikhs are different, but minor religions are just as bad.

[SmokinAces2000]

I’m not Italian or catholic so I don’t care who the next pope is

[FreyaRed]

I'm catholic on paper but I don't care.

[WhitneySnow]

Parolin, Tagle or Zuppi

[andreasderjuengere]

Dolly Buster