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Conclave between 5 and 10 May: the search is on for Pope Francis’ successor

135 are being called upon to elect a new pontiff. Parolin, Zuppi and Pizzaballa among the most mentioned names, but the race remains open

The Conclave to elect the new Pope will meet between 5 and 10 May, fifteen to twenty days after the death of Pope Francis, in accordance with the Universi Dominici Gregis, the apostolic constitution that regulates the election of the successor to Peter. There will be 135 cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote.

The conditions of Cardinal Angelo Becciu remain to be clarified. Although he was deprived of his cardinal prerogatives by Francis in 2020 and sentenced by a Vatican court, he could ask to take part in the Conclave: a decision that will fall to the General Congregation of Cardinals.

The papabili: from Parolin to Pizzaballa, via Tagle and Ambongo

The spotlight is on a shortlist of candidates representing different geographical balances and ecclesial sensitivities. Among the most mentioned are Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, a leading figure in the Holy See’s diplomacy; Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference and close to the Community of Sant’Egidio; the Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa, younger than the others (60 years old) and considered a significant outsider.

Alongside them, international figures also emerge such as the Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő, the Frenchman Jean-Marc Aveline, the Asian Antonio Luis Tagle, and the Congolese Fridolin Ambongo Besungu. The latter embodies the suggestion – never confirmed but often evoked – of a “black Pope” from Africa.

To be elected, 92 votes out of 135 are needed. A threshold that imposes transversal coalitions and could favour a less divisive candidate, able to overcome the historical dichotomy between conservatives and progressives.

A fragmented and global college of cardinals

The college of electors is the most heterogeneous in recent history. Shaped by Pope Francis in ten consistories, most recently on 7 December, it reflects the desire for a more universal Church. Of the current electors, 110 were appointed by Francis.

Geographically, the group is made up as follows: 59 cardinals come from Europe (of which 19 from Italy), 37 from the Americas (16 from North, 4 from Central America, 17 from South), 20 from Asia, 16 from Africa and 3 from Oceania.

Many of them will meet for the first time only at the General Congregations preceding the Conclave. The absence of established ties and the variety of backgrounds could make the choice more unpredictable than expected.

With the “extra omnes” and the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, the most delicate and solemn phase will open: the one that will lead to the white smoke and the name of the new Pontiff called to take up Francis’ legacy.

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