Do you think the next Pope will be more conservative or liberal?

Question

I’m not religious and I in fact look at religion with suspicion but nevertheless I think it is fascinating.
Do you think the next pope is more likely to be ultra conservative who takes the Catholic Church to pre Vatican ideology meaning masses only in Latin, anti contraception, anti any other church or religion, and the idea that they are the one true church and everyone else is going to hell.

Or more liberal climate change is the biggest
problem, all religions are a road to truth, gay marriage is allowed in the church.

Or something in between.

BCRanger10 · Accepted Answer

Though the danger (yes,  danger ) is real, present, and possible, I'm not convinced that the next pope will be another left-wing progressive, like Francis was. And yes, that's even with knowing that Francis did in fact name the overwhelming majority of the cardinals of voting age; the maximum age for cardinals to vote is 80.  Here's a (supposed) chart of the ideological breakdown of the current College of Cardinals... I've seen this chart before, about a month ago, on a podcast from Catholic Family News. As a historical sidenote, before Pope Paul VI (r. 1963 to 1978), there was no "maximum age". Paul VI changed that, and expanded the size of the College of Cardinals. One theory behind this is that he wanted to add more progressives and drown out conservatives and traditionalists that he thought would resist or, after he'd die,  reverse  key changes he wanted to make, namely how the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered. So here's what people need to think about. Though Francis was  very  progressive, not everyone he appointed was of his same mindset; it was cardinals made by John Paul II and Benedict XVI, both of whom are at least thought to be conservative, who elected Francis. Following from that, Francis also made some, if you will, "mistakes". Cardinal Gerhard Mueller from Germany, for example, whom many conservatives and traditionalists favor, was one of the first cardinals appointed by Francis, back in 2014. Also, Mueller may have been more moderate to liberal earlier on (and compared to clergy 100 years ago, he still would be considered so), but he's become more conservative as time has gone on, having, among other possible factors, seen that Francis was doing to the Church. There's always the chance that some other cardinals made by Francis either have had a change of heart and mind or weren't on board to begin with. Then, Francis made a lot of cardinals from places where there typically haven't been cardinals before, or at least not many of them. This is particularly so for Africa and Asia. He wanted to give the Church a more diverse representation (which, in this case and context, actually  isn't  something to eyeroll at;  the Church is worldwide ). On that same note, in some cases, he may have appointed them knowing that they weren't totally of his mindset and intent, but went with them anyway to give Catholics from some of these more remote places more visibility and to hear their voices. With all that background having been established, when selecting a new pope, there is more to consider than just the ideology of the voting cardinals.  There's the situation in the Church to factor in. Here's some of what they're dealing with... Decreasing Mass attendance and vocations to the priesthood and religious life The Vatican going bankrupt The public image of the Church Sex abuse scandals Doctrinal confusion, dissent, and ignorance amongst the faithful Then there's also the situation in the world at large... Mass immigration and how it's affecting national identities and cultures Wars (Russia v. Ukraine, Gaza, possibly China and/or Iran) The presence, reach, influence, and intentions of NGOs and other organizations such as the UN, the World Economic Forum, and such. What's happening among the citizens of nations? What's on their hearts and minds? And most importantly,  in their souls? There's a lot more to think about. This is only part of the picture. As I said on another post earlier today, papal politics is a weird business. This will very much be a wait-and-see type of situation. Personally though, I'm hoping for a traditionalist, or at least "conservative".

RingOfFire · Accepted Answer

Conservative. They tried the woke Pope thinking he would appeal to mote younger people because Catholicism is losing members as younger people have no interest.

Just like all the other organizations that went woke they went broke. It didn't work.

The last straw for me was the Palestinian flag on the Nativity scene. I already knew that I didn't like him but that sealed it for me.

The Catholic leadership isn't dumb. They're not going to go woke and go broke again. It was a big failure. Next guy will be more conservative.

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

I sure hope he doesn't go back to using Latin.
I grew up in the Catholic Church and all of the Masses were in Latin and I didn't learn a darn thing!!
We don't need such a liberal Pope next time. It shouldn't be another "Everything goes" Pope again. There has to be some rules to follow and not be such a liberal Pope just to gain more people to go to the Catholic Church and to gain widespread popularity and forget that people need religion ✝️🙏🏼 in their life and not a Pope that just wants to be cool! 😎

FreyaRed · Accepted Answer

Maybe new people calls out new Crusade. Violence instead of forgiveness, blood instead of dialogue, aggression instead of love. Catholic church needs new strategy if they don't want disappear in oblivion.

BCA6010 · Answer

The previous Pope appointed the significant majority of the Cardinals who are responsible for choosing the successor. It's extremely likely that it will be more of the same, or a wolf in sheep's clothing pretending to be something different on the surface.

Physics-Man · Answer

I think he'll be more Conservative because there are more Conservatives who are potential candidates. It'd be great if Robert Sarah becomes Pope. I think Peter Erdo, Raymond Burke, Willem Eijk, Malcolm Ranjith, Gerhard Mueller would also be excellent Popes.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Moderate one please, there's enough austerity all around on this planet, if even the pope turns into a sad face  I swear I'll bring back Jesus myself  to ensure balance.

alice55 · Answer

To what I heard he would surely be liberal and similar to Pope Francois because he's the one who chased the cardinal himself.

strateguy632 · Answer

Definitely the 2nd. look at how the one who died, got appointed for his globalist attitude , so same for next. instead of the one worthy named Erdu.

Godihateyou · Answer

The pope has always been the antichrist. Against all of his teachings. This one is prophesied as the last pope. Israel's messiah, the Antichrist will rise from Israel's destruction and Jesus will return again to usher in the 4th Reich and the order of heaven

Anonymous · Answer

Somewhere in the middle. Like John Paul II. Even Pope Benedict didn’t try to take the church back to pre Vatican II and he was pretty conservative.

Agape93 · Answer

Conservative. While more catholics of younger generations liked the late pope being more lovn and progressive, most cardinals in conclave are old and conservative.

NicholasRedone · Answer

@ryanec very conservative - that way more converts to the Protestant churches/denominations, I laugh merrily 🙃🙃🙃

supercutebutt · Answer

It will be a Nazi Pope who Kanye West & Elon Musk can spit-roast.

Anonymous · Answer

i think trump will claim to be the next pope and if he isn't picked, he will claimed that he was robbed, that the system is rigged, etc.

Anonymous · Answer

Can you imagine if the next pope would be a Christian Communist?

Dargil · Answer

I certainly hope so.

msc545 · Answer

hopefully equally or more liberal

Anonymous · Answer

He will be more liberal.

DrPepper12 · Answer

Moderate.

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